DwayneEMTP

I found this on another site and finally know what Dust means when he says "I think my head is going to explode!" The remainder of the article talks about some people that want to fix this problem...My issue, other than the obvious, is a posters reply below the article. Shortage of Emergency Personnel Leads to Innovative Training By JENNIFER COMPSTON-STROUGH Assistant City Editor The National Fire Protection Association sets codes and standards for fire departments across the country. In a 2002 needs assessment completed in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the NFPA found that more than a quarter of volunteer fire department personnel who deliver EMS services lack formal training in those duties. ( Me: Formal training, meaning ANY training or certification?) The majority of those EMS personnel were not certified to the level of Basic Life Support — the ability to provide patient assessment, basic airway management, oxygen therapy, stabilization of spinal, soft tissue and shock injuries, stabilization of bleeding, sudden illness, poisoning and childbirth and to provide cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and automatic external defibrillator capability. Almost no departments had all their EMS personnel certified to the level of Advanced Life Support, according to the NFPA. This means most EMS personnel lack the ability to provide advanced airway management and intubation, manual defibrillation, intravenous access and drug therapy. But Clevenger and other local educators are working to change all that in the Upper Ohio Valley. (bold added by me) And one reply to this article: "My whole dept has just gone through the first responder course and cpr recert so everyone that is active and responds too all calls is qualified to handle just about everything (within MO law) but we do have several others that higher Qual levels so here we dont have a problem with untrained personnel fortunatley." (emphasis added by me) Sometimes it seems talking about education in EMS is like chopping wood with a marble..... I guess I don't have a point that hasn't been made before. I'm just venting.... Dwayne

I'm sorry you are so far unable to see passed that point of view. If you had visited many other sites you would see many/most threads are filled with the following (exagerated, but not by much): Medic: "Man, had to pick up a gomer at the NH that fell out of bed...ER doc went ballistic because he didn't have oxygen or spinal precautions!! As$hole!" Poster 1: "Yeah man, I fel yur pane! They shuld ride in the bus onse or twise and they wuld see what we half to put up with!" Medic: "And the dum nurses wouldt even back me up!" Poster 1: "Hel..They half a lttle colleg and think thy now everything!" Followed by post after post of people "feeling his pain". When the most benificial thing, thus kindest thing, someone could say to them is "Stop what you're doing, right now, and choose to discontinue being ignorant!" Thanks to Dust and others, it is a little scary here to post here foolishly (and I don't feel posters in this thread were foolish). And I like that. It's unfortunate that you make a point of saying that you benefit from this site without contributing....and yet your one contribution (should it be called that?) is to take a shot at the very people that help keep this site worth visiting. (I'm assuming you agree it's worth visiting as you've been coming for a couple of months). It is uncommon to find a question posted here with replys that don't force you to think, or take a pretty hard look at your educational background. The feeling seems to be that most issues became issues because the necessary knowledge was not in place to resolve them. Pointing this out is not self centered, it is a realistic step in helping the posters further their patient care, job satisfaction, and career. I hope you stick around....It would be great to learn what you have to teach. Though, as you've pointed out, if your unsure of your education or professionalism or are unwilling to trade a little critisizm for a little knowledge, perhaps it's best if you just continue to watch. Have a great day! Dwayne Edited to add to part of a quote for context. Sheesh, and spelling.

Good point! Dwayne

Kyle, you know, you tend to grow on a person.... Dwayne

Thanks all! Your answers are what logic was telling me was right,(except for scoliosis or kyphosis from osteoporosis) yet it seems the more I learn the less common logic seems to apply. The more I learn, it feels like the less I know...if I learn much more I won't know anything! I had to ask though as I've heard some pretty amazing stories....which I think I'll move into the B.S. column until further notice... Thanks again....Have a great day! Dwayne

But what would define "can't"? I'm thinking live deformations just don't happen that often? Dwayne

Yikes....days and no response... Should I take the hint that this is really a dumb question? Dwayne

Wow...is this business as usual? Dwayne

I'm confused about the issues involved. From the outside looking in it seem pretty clear. I don't report it, and when it is discovered some day I am guilty of, at least, not being thorough in my job (Am I responsible for the contents of my ambulance? I'm not sure) Or I become one of a list of suspicious employees that might have put it there. Negative outcome all around. I report it, and an attempt is made to resolve the issue by finding the breakdown in the procedures that allowed this to happen, possibly leading to hard times for the guilty party(s), if any should happen to exist, which is a positive outcome it seems. Of course management then showers me with praise and a huge raise...another positive outcome. So turning it in seems to be a no-brainer. The only thing more obvious than the above is that people I respect are saying it's not that obvious, so I don't know what the hell I'm talking about. So what are the politics/issues involved? Dwayne

I'm sure I'm going to look like a complete bonehead... But relief upon rising. Perhaps being vertical is what brings relief, might that point to a heart issue? Dwayne

He might...you know becksdad, you could answer this question with one quick snapshot! You know, I'd throw in a few bucks to see that happen! (Damn the consequences, I'll get therapy later) Dwayne

Oh Lord....that was funny.... Dwayne

So it's a bunch of whiny people that get together for the purpose of promoting and supporting unhappiness? (I always think I know what you said, but am rarely sure I know what you said) I don't get it...unless there's sex involved. Otherwise they should just get married... Dwayne

So what is 'EMO'? Elmo...now I'm with you there...but what's EMO? Wait! Emotionaly Maimed Offspring? Hmmmm.....maybe not.... Dwayne

AnthonyM83, Sorry I can't help on the call...it sounds like you're in an impossible situation in your job. But I did want to say this may be the best post I have ever seen! Even those that don't share your question can learn much about posting, linear logic and self examination....Outstanding. Good luck in your new job! Dwayne

This is like a psychology/patho(?)physiology lesson all wrapped up in one!! Though how do I bleach those images of becksdad out of my brain? Dwayne

"A Second Officer brings c-spine into neutral in-line position (unless contra-indicated)" I saw this quote on Timmy's vacuum mattress website and it got me to thinking. In the basic academy we were told to return c-spine to neutral in-line position regardless of how it was found unless patient is screaming in pain (" and if it's really deformed they will be screaming!") or extreme resistance is encountered. I also saw somewhere (maybe here, I'm not sure) someone talking of splinting the neck in the position found when it's extremely deformed, and getting reamed at the ER. I believe the story went something like "positive PMS in all extremities, but neck deformed with head 90 degrees to shoulders". It's just hard to imagine forcing this injury back to it's inline position when this situation exists....(though I have a hard time imagining this situation existing) What would happen in real life? Any stories, pro or con along these lines? Thanks all...Have a great day! Dwayne

Wow...maybe I won't be an accountant after all.... Dwayne

Aside from the beating you're going to take for grammar and spelling, please tell me you are not asking which to put on your private vehicle...? I hope you have a thick skin...you are likely to need it in this thread...(search would have been your friend here) Dwayne

Amazing huh? When we lived in CA that was the rule...I was floored..I thought they were kidding! Most autistic kids will only play chase games with other kids (the reason is unclear). Having an autistic son, one of my main goals in life is to teach him to enjoy the company of other people (not like Dust, and asys...I mean normal people)...and they took that option away. I finaly had to go through the school board and offer to build a small fenced area for the special needs kids to play, before they gave in. (They ultimately set aside a small grassy area for this purpose.) If I remeber correctly, no chasing (running by yourself, off the concrete was ok), no balls on the concrete (where the basketball hoops were) it seems like there was something about the swings....but I can't remember now....Pretty crazy! Thank Goodness I'm in CO now....Though they think those rules were pretty funny...the liberal crap that starts in CA has a way of finding it's way everywhere....(I'm not anti-CA, It showed me a good living for several years...not a big liberal fan though) Bottom line...when they start to take the "adventure" from your kids childhood, they will finish if you don't knock some pee pees in the dirt! Dwayne

Wait just a dang second.... So: I can't drive fast... I'm supposed to study..every day!... Have to tuck in my shirt... No lights on my car... And now no tattoos? That's it! I'm becoming an accountant! Anyone know where they get their badges? I'm going on Ebay right now to see if I can find an H&R Block window punch.... Dwayne

Hey Tracyd1 I also didn't get from your posts that you're a medic. I know sometimes, like now, it can feel like pulling teeth trying to get the info you asked for...but if not here, where? Hang in there...But I think what most are saying is that if you're an intermediate where you live....it's time to start turning lemons into lemonade... Have a great day! Dwayne

I'm not sure CPR is withing his scope of practice....He should have waited for a sturgeon. Dwayne

=D>

That is pretty dang funny...asys..you make a pretty funny gangster yourself! Seeing you and Dust talking like that...made my whole night! Dwayne