Lone Star
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Posts posted by Lone Star
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Pertinent negatives don't change your treatment plan either, but you must still address them.
If someone is not complaining of any pain, do I not mention anything about that since it doesn't change my treatment plan?
I have to agree here. Just because I don't think that the two steel clips in my skull have anything to do with my broken ankle doesn't mean that it won't change treatment options...I'm not getting any closer to an MRI machine than I absolutely have to!
Because certain races have a higher susceptibility to certain disease processes, it's important to document the patient's race in the narrative section. Additionally, you cannot guarantee that the receiving facility staff is going to even look at the demographic and personal information fields on your PCR. Remember, your PCR is supposed to 'paint a picture' to the receiving staff. How can you give a complete image if you don't document all known information? That's like presuming that based on the current meds, the staff will automatically know the patient's past medical history....
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If tomorrow all the things were gone
I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again
with just my children and my wife,
I'd thank my lucky stars
to be living here today,
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom
and they can't take that away.
And I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died
who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.
From the lakes of Minnesota
to the hills of Tennessee,
Across the plains of Texas
from sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston
and New York to L.A.,
well There's pride in every American heart
and it's time we stand and say:
that I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died
who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.
And I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died
who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A
_____________________________________________
This song by Lee Greenwood gets me all choked up... Let's honor all the Men & Women currently serving and ones who have served. All who were injured while serving. The ones who died while serving this great nation... While we enjoy our BBQ, our Military is doing a bit of BBQ (Battling & Beating al Queda)... God bless them all...
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The only 'conclusion' I can foresee coming from this little 'social experiment' is to see how many will attach labels and how fast they can do it. At the end, I fully expect 'flaming' to show us the errors of our ways by revealing just how WRONG we really are for judging and labeling people based on nothing more than appearance.
Once this has been done, I fully expect a scathing lecture on how we're so wrong about labeling the GLBT crowd based on appearances. There's a difference between advocacy and just looking for somthing to fight about, and it looks like this is just looking for trouble.
He can tell me that there's no 'hidden agenda' till he's blue in the face, but I'm not buying it. A 'social experiment' like this only serves to bait the participants into a big knock down drag out fight because 'flaming' had to stir the pot one too many times...
I fail to see how asking the participants to 'label' someone based on appearances only, will serve any productive purpose; and for that reason, I will refrain from playing.
From where I sit, this smacks of nothing more than a game of "I Told You So" combined with an opportunity to throw words like 'prejudice, bigotry and discrimination (in all of its variations)' around.
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I will phrase it a different way ---- Suppose I think I want to be a Nurse, and I think I might want to be a Prison Nurse, BUT I have NOT taken my first core class or even been accepted in Nursing School, would you recommend that I spend money on "criminology" classes before I start my core or Nursing classes ?
First off, let’s consider the relevance of a criminology course for nurses. Unless the nurse is going to be also working in an investigative capacity, or even in the capacity as a prison administrator, I can’t see the relevance of the criminology course being even remotely tied to the education and duties of a prison nurse.
Wouldn’t the nurse be better served by focusing on the medical aspect of the nursing education, after all; that’s why he/she would be in the prison in the first place…?
I think this is a poor example at best, and shouldn’t have been used to illustrate your point. One of my core classes was ‘Computer Concepts and Applications’, which focused on knowing the difference between system software and program software, and the applications of Microsoft Office. Does this have a direct bearing or influence on the medical aspects of what I’ll be doing as a Paramedic? Not in the slightest!
I’ve had people tell me that the course is required because I MIGHT be using a computer to complete an ‘e-PCR’, and it might malfunction. My thought process is this: If the device that I’m using to complete the ‘e-PCR’ malfunctions, it’s not my place to attempt to repair it; that would be a task better suited to those with the IT or computer repair education. If the device malfunctions, then the next logical step would be to complete an ‘old fashioned’ hard copy PCR.
All of the other courses I’ve taken to date can be justified as being beneficial to what any Paramedic does or will experience in the field.
The context of the OP was a question surrounding whether or not taking an A&P course would be a waste of time in terms of pursuing her "dream". The answer is no. An A&P course is not, would not and will not be a waste of time. This is true especially if pursuing an EMT cert is her "dream".
If I read the thread right, the OP hasn’t balked at increased education, rather; it’s certain members that feel that it would be a ‘waste of time for the EMT-B level’.
...if one thought that a criminology or sociology or psychology course would better help prepare him/her-self for a job as a prison nurse then my answer is yes. Take the classes.
To take it another way, if someone wanted to take a class because s/he had an interest in the subject matter and wanted to learn more, no matter the current career path, then it is still not wasted money or effort.
You people (generally speaking) seem to think that education is limited in scope and application. You are wrong. In fact, the more you learn the more you can apply what you've learned across the board both in your career path and in life in general. As Ruff has noted, and I can relate as I have a similar story, education is undertaken in phases. Things change. Interests change. Jobs change. Hobbies change. Life changes. Learning as much as you can is a life long process. Each step builds upon the other. If you (again, generally speaking) feel that education is wasted simply because you believe it doesn't apply to what your career path is then you, as a student, are the failure. Not the education itself.
This is doubly significant, simply because it not only highlights the importance of education, but it also illustrates my original statement that EMT-B is the basic foundation upon which the higher EMS license levels are built upon.
And whoever said EMTB is the foundation of EMS ---- sorry, nowhere close.
The concepts of patient care, medical/legal/ethical and other facets of EMS start in the EMT-B classes, and are enhanced and expanded in each subsequent class you take as you advance ‘up the food chain’.
As one’s scope of practice and responsibility increases, it’s tied back to the basic concepts that were taught in the EMT-B class.
EMTB is a bandaid that was forced on our industry so Fire Departments could get in EMS at the lowest cost possible. It is an abomination to our industry. It would be like creating a course to become a Doctor that is one year in length, because there are not enough Doctors.
Do you have proof this is where the EMT-B license level originated from? Not all of the failings within the EMS system and its structure can be attributed to the Fire Service…
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And yet you've been in EMS for over 10 years without earning any of those degrees, or in fact passing any of those classes, right?
I would like to think that I have a brain, limited and pickled as it may be, and yet I disagree...
Please explain how your vehement "no brainer' opinions are not arrogant and hypocritical given your personal EMS history.
We really need to pull this thread back into the 'no bullshit' zone...
Dwayne
You know, when I was taking the position that a college educated Paramedic wasn’t any better than one who learned to be a Paramedic in a hospital based program…you, Dust, AK and a whole host of others busted my chops over it.
Now that I’ve actually reversed my original stance, and have taken the courses that will make me a better provider; you want to bust my chops again for advocating your original stance! You can’t have it both ways!
As an EMT-B, I thought I had EMS at that level by the balls; simply because when my then Medical Director came in to do a ‘guest lecture’, every scenario he threw at me, I was able to hand back with all the right treatments in the right places. Did this make me a ‘super provider’ because I knew what to do and when to do it because the ‘book said so’? Hardly!
Now that I’ve actually taken the very classes that you and others have said were needed, I’ve come to realize how horribly WRONG I was to ever think that I was an ‘outstanding provider’. I’ve not only cheated myself but I’ve done a great disservice to every patient I’ve treated in all those years!
You busted my chops for resisting higher educational levels, you DON’T get to bust ‘em again because I’m actually advocating higher educational requirements!
You and I have had conversations about how inadequate the EMS educational requirements really are, so why attempt to beat me down because I’ve changed my stance and become an activist for the advancement of EMS from simply a ‘job’ to a ‘profession’?
You want me to come out and say it? Here’s goes:
When I was an arrogant EMT-B and thought that I knew all I needed to know, I WAS WRONG!
Just because I was wrong in my thinking, doesn't mean that I haven't learned the errors of my ways and amended my thought process along the way....
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Just wow.
And still people wonder why I fervently advocate higher educational requirements for entry level EMS...and go absolutely rabid when someone suggests that more education isn't necessaary, because EMT-B training is more than 'adequate'...
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I hate this line of reasoning. What if he wants to avail himself to Article 5 of the constitution?
Since the U.S. Supreme Court has already ruled on these issues that he's complaining about, I highly doubt that the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives are going to even ATTEMPT to change them.
The point still remains that if he dislikes the freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. constitution and the subsequent Bill of Rights, then he is free to leave this country which obviously has offended his sensibilities...
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Just to re-touch on this, one month later. Remember Rep. Giffords who was shot at a Parking Lot. The guy who shot her, has been ruled by the Judge that he is unfit to stand trial. What?!? He was fit to buy the guns. He was fit to attend College. This is just one of the reasons, we need Gun Regulation...
http://mobile.nytimes.com/article;jsessionid=266FE236F3E675D0FBBA5E3A10C8CBDC.w5?a=794268&f=19
Last time I looked, I didn't see anything requiring a mental health check in order to attend college. This means that even stupid people can attend college....
You have rallied against at least the first and second amendments ....want to move on to the third and fourth? Are you going to do this with each and every one of them? If so, how about just cut to the chase and do them all at once?
Since you seem to have such a huge problem with the U.S. constitution and it's Bill of Rights, may I suggest that you locate your nearest national borders and then use your freedom of choice to step across one of them?
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It resounded in my so much I remeber it verbatum. That is why I try and take as much education in as I can. I am not just talking CEUs. I am talking lectures, classes, expert training details, ect. I am an advocate for better education, I want us to be seen in the same light as other healthcare professionals. We need a paradigm shift from the top to facilitate this, but as long as the ones in charge want to make it "easy" to fill the ranks our educational requirements will still be geared twords the lowest common denominator.
The best way to help force that 'paradigm shift' is by taking all of the educational opportunities aavailable and still clamor for more...maybe by showing the initiative to become even better educated than they require will serve as a impetus for them to 'raise the bar' and stop catering to the 'lowest common denominator'....
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We went from Gay to Nazi, Wow... Gays do get discriminated. Elderly are discriminated against. Immigrants are discriminated against. Latinos are discriminated against. Trailer trash are discriminated against. Poor folks are discriminated against. Convicts are discriminated against. Asians are discriminated against. Bilingual are discriminated against. Rappers are discriminated against. Teachers are discriminated against. Welfare recipients are discriminated against. St Patty Day gets discriminated against. Alcoholics are discriminated against. Europeans are discriminated against. Heavy Metalists are discriminated against. Obese people are discriminated against. Anorexics are discriminated against. Hoarders are discriminated against. Whores are discriminated against. Popo are discriminated against. Muslims are discriminated against. Jews are discriminated against. Polygomists are discriminated against. Mormons are discriminated against. Penn Dutches are discriminated against. Medicaid holders are discriminated against. We all get some sort of discrimination... We all have felt it some way or another. Some a lot more than others but no one is exempted from discrimination.
Let us not forget the 'sin taxes' that target anyone who smokes, drinks or drives...maybe they should enact an 'Entertainment Tax' and target those hoity-toity folks that put on tuxedos and formal gowns to go to the theatre.....
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No, because most of the classes you listed are what are considered core courses that are needed for any degree, so it does not hurt you if you take it and then change majors. Unfortunately A&P is pretty much limited to healthcare, so I have to agree with flamer on that one. Once she gets through EMTB and passes, then she should take other health care courses.
Since the OP has an interest in attending an EMT-B class (a health care field!
), one would logically conclude that a 'health care specific course' like Anatomy & Physiology would be an obvious requirement.Since EMT-B is the very 'foundation' that your EMS education is built upon, again, the need for A&P at this level is a 'no brainer'...
Additionally, how many people have started their careers in EMS, and then moved on to working in the hospitals and such as nurses, PA's and even Doctors?
I find it ironic that there are many people who bristle about being referred to as 'ambulance drivers', yet do not advocate higher educational requirements. How can we expect to become recognized as true health care professionals if we do not stand united about increasing our educational requirements for EMS beyond the bare minimum standards that are in place today?
Almost every RESPECTED healthcare provider profession requires an Associates Degree as the minimum requirements for employment, yet EMS still wants to hold their patient's lives in their hands with minimal education and a mere certification....
Don't you find it 'odd' that the following information is true?
NAIL TECHNICIAN
The Nail Technician program is a sequence of courses that prepares students for careers as Nail Technicians. The program emphasizes specialized training in safety, sanitation, state laws, rules and regulations, nail diseases and disorders, skin and nail care, and work ethics. The curriculum meets state licensing requirements of the State Board of Cosmetology. Program graduates receive a Technical Certificate of Credit in Nail Technology. 114
Admissions Requirements:
Must be at least 16 years of age. No high school diploma or GED is required.
Minimum test scores for regular admission: COMPASS: Reading – 49; Writing – 15; Pre-Algebra – 21
ASSET: Reading – 33; Writing – 31; Pre-Algebra – 32
NUMBER COURSE NAME CREDIT HOURS
COS 100 Introduction to Cosmetology Theory (5)
COS 112 Manicuring and Pedicuring (3)
COS 117 Salon Management (4)
COS 118 Nail Care I (7)
COS 119 Nail Care II (9)
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS (28)
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN
Our mission is to provide quality training and education to our students. The field of EMS is one of excitement and constant change. As a graduate of our program, the student will be highly skilled and ready to meet the challenges presented in the pre-hospital environment.
Admissions Requirements:
Must be at least 18 years of age. A high school diploma or GED is required.
Minimum test scores for regular admission: COMPASS: Reading – 70; Writing – 23; Pre-Algebra – 26
ASSET: Reading – 38; Writing – 35; Pre-Algebra – 35
Must be current on immunizations before clinical rotation begins
EMT Basic Level
The Basic EMT certification level has been reintroduced by the State Office of EMS to address primarily the needs of fire departments to meet NFPS requirements for the training of firefighters. Students who successfully complete the course will be eligible to take the National Registry Basic EMT Examination and receive certification at the basic level.
NUMBER COURSE NAME CREDIT HOURS
EMS 1101 Introduction to EMT Profession (4)
EMS 1103 Patient Assessment for the EMT (2)
EMS 1105 Airway Management for the EMT (2)
EMS 1107 Medical & Behavioral Emergencies for the EMT (3)
EMS 1109 Assessment & Management across the Lifespan for the EMT (2)
EMS 1111 Trauma Emergencies & WMD Response (4)
EMS 1113 Clinical Applications for the EMT (1)
EMS 1115 Practical Applications for the EMT (2)
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS (20)
How can you expect to be considered a COMPETENT healthcare provider and QUALIFIED to treat life threatening injuries and conditions when your education is LESS than that required to take care of someone's nails? How can you be taken seriously as a 'health care professional' and assist with medications with such a MINIMAL education?
* http://www.savannahtech.edu/assets/Catalog.pdf Pages 106/113 (Both courses listed above are for the 'Certificate Level)
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Since you're able to explain the rationale behind the treatments, the pharmocodynamics of the drugs you administer, patient assessment and the pathophysiology of the MOI/NOI; maybe you could use that format for your essay.
Start your paper off by describing the patient assessment process from start to finish, move into the pathophysiology of the mechanism of injury (MOI)/nature of illness (NOI). From there progress into the treatments given and the pharmocodynamics of the medications given....
Use the tone of the preceptor talking to the student, (kind of a "How To" narrative type essay)....
Just a suggestion...
As far as the writing class, does the academics of writing change between the first year and the last? I'm going to go out on a limb and think that the mechanics of academic writing is going to remain pretty much a constant thing....
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Just a thought brother. You and I went a few rounds, if i remember right, and I think I do, but I don't remember ever giving you a negative simply because I believed that you were posting from your beliefs, even though I thought them bullshit. Negatives should be kept, in my opinion, for the troll posts, the hateful posts, not for posts that we simply don't like..no matter the reason....see?
Of course, this is all just my opinion...
Dwayne
You remember correctly, we HAVE gone more than a 'few rounds'. I'll go this far, and try to be more judicious when hitting the "-" button...
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Lonestar, I see it was you that put the negative on this post. What was it about this post that you felt warranted that?
I appears to me to be the most common advice out there, logical for most that haven't been party to the arguments and debates that we've had here, and not bad intentioned in any way. It had proper spelling and grammar, professed an opinion, and appeared to me to be trying to be helpful. I don't get it. Was it your intention to give a negative because you disagreed with this poster in other threads?
Surely you get that it's bad form to give a post a negative simply because you disagree with it, regardless how strongly you disagree with it?
Anyway, I'd be interested to hear you opinion/justification.
Dwayne
I’ve watched you and others come down on the hapless poster who has advocated against higher educational requirements with both feet and wearing cleats, (I've still got those marks on the back of my skull!). Just like anyone else who encourages the ‘EMS hobbyist’ gets whacked when they make similar statements because of the inanity of rallying against higher educational requirements, I see no reason to afford flaming a free pass for the same behavior.
Additionally, weren’t you one of the first to mention that his posting style mimicked that of a present/past member? Obviously you’re not the only one who has come to the same conclusion. That being said, if it IS a previous/past member just looking for trouble, then they have been exposed to the lengthy debates on the benefits of increasing educational requirements.
That aside, just because it espouses the ‘popular general opinion’ doesn’t mean it gets a pass on taking a hit when it is CLEARLY giving poor advice to a prospective student.
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You are entitled to your beliefs, and obviously she will not be harmed by higher education, but I have to ask:
If you were King you would require an Associate's Degree, Right ? If education is so important why not demand a Master's Degree as the minimum ?
Based on the observation that there are few places (at least around here) that even offer an Associates Degree in Paramedicine, let alone a Bachelors or higher; one must be pragmatic about what the minimum educational requirements should be.
Should there be greater educational requirements for entry level EMS? Without a doubt!
Not only will it make the student more 'marketable', but it will also benefit the patients that the student will encounter and treat.
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Was it really because my advice was poor, or just that it was contrary to what you believe ? None of us are all-knowing or are perfect, the fact that I have a view opposite of yours does not make me stupid or evil. Please also note that I originally asked for my gay bretheren to send me their stories, I did not accuse any member of this room of being a homophobe, nor did I entice straight people to jump in my conversation. I think over the past 7 pages, I have responded to everyone with respect. If you want to discuss veracity of posts, I would suggest you give a negative rating to the straight poster who threatened physical violence against any fags he saw kissing and groping each other. But I imagine he got positive points for that language, while I got negatives for simply asking questions. But I am used to it, the same thing happens every time I have a performance review, I get a lower rating than straights that I outperform on a daily basis, but I do not expect straight people to understand, as you have already decided that gays and blacks are looking for racism rather than experiencing it.
That poster ALSO said that a hetero couple engaged in the same behavior in front of his child would also recieve the same treatment. If you're going to reference a post, then it's a good idea to reference the entire statement, not just pick and choose parts of it that you can twist into being offensive.
You have been treated no different than anyone else on this forum. Similar actions result in similar response. It appears that you're trying to twist what people say to justify everybody being against gays; unfortunately, you're doing a very poor job of it and are looking for trouble where none exists (at least on the forum).
It's not that we've decided that gays and blacks are looking for racism, it's been PROVEN by posts such as yours with the whole theme of "nobody likes us, everybody hates us just because we're _________________ (insert group here)". Many of the people that are active in this particular thread accept people based on their character, and do not discriminate based on race, color, creed or sexual orientation. Those are NOT what makes a person a good or bad person.
No one here has even HINTED that discrimination and racism doesn't exist for certain groups of people; but don't try to twist a person's response into something it was never intended to be!
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Also note that I already have a "-2" rating just for asking questions. I dont think I have been rude to anyone in this room, but again, because I am different, I am judged and publicly given a negative rating.
You weren't given a 'negative' for being 'different'. You were given that rating because you EARNED it with your topics that are only meant to inflame, and your poor advice. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with your sexual orientation!
As far as your JEMS article, you're not looking for a true cross-sectional sample group that represents the community at large, only those that are willing to support your premise (however flawed it may be).
Those 'negatives' were given on the content and veracity of your posts, and nothing more!
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Kinda makes me wonder how many million dollars the "REV" spent on all the bill boards and pamphlets to pass out to nonbelievers.
Then you got to wonder how many church of the airwaves parishioners he stole their life savings to fund it.
Seen one california crackpot seen em all
You KNOW there's going to be a whole boat load of people who are extremely pissed off (not to mention broke as hell) today! And where is this 'Reverand' anyway?
It's probably a good thing that it didn't happen; this was my first Rapture, and I had no idea what to wear!!
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Denial is one of the hallmarks of addiction... People in denial are not going to ask for help. They deny there is a problem.
Denial is the first symptom. Just as the cardiac patient denies their symptoms by dismissing them as 'gas' or 'heartburn', the addict will deny their symptoms with statements like:
1) I don't have a problem with ____________, I only use it to 'unwind' or 'relax'...
2) I can quit any time I want to!
3) It's not like I NEED _________________ (insert substance here)
Most, (if not all) rehabilitation/recovery programs will state that the first step to recovery is to admit that you DO have a 'problem'.
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I have frequently read posts regarding the same type of question, "Should we add this "drug", "protocol", or "equipment" to our truck ? It is usually something that is outside or nearly outside our scope of practice, and would have minimal benefit to our industry or our patients. It sounds as if we are bored, and are wanting to stretch our wings. I would suggest that before we spread our wings towards new stuff, maybe we should master what we already have in our scope. Cardiac Arrest Survival statistics have not improved in over 20 years, and the common belief among physicians is that Paramedics can't intubate worth a damn. So before we start something new, maybe we should master what is already in our scope. Toodle-Loo
How do you propose we 'master what is already in our scope' if you can't even advocate taking Anatomy & Physiology classes at the EMT-B level?
I do not see much reason for taking an A&P course for EMT school, but I would suggest one prior to Paramedic school. I think you should get into EMT, make sure you like it, then decide what other courses will benefit you.
In order to be able to master the skills at the Paramedic level, one MUST have a solid foundation at the EMT-B level which SHOULD include (among other classes), Anatomy & Physiology!
You're either FOR increased education, (which should include A&P), or you're AGAINST it... you cannot advocate higher educational requirements for 'some' but not 'all'...
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I do not see much reason for taking an A&P course for EMT school, but I would suggest one prior to Paramedic school. I think you should get into EMT, make sure you like it, then decide what other courses will benefit you.
I vehemently disagree with your statemtent!
EMT-B is the basic foundation of EMS. It teaches the most basic life support techniques and practices. Not understanding HOW and WHY the body works like it does is akin to putting someone to work installing electrical outlets in new houses without any understanding of how electricty works, and the difference between AC and DC currents!
Granted, as an EMT-B, there isn't a great deal that the EMT can actually do, but it WILL have an impact on WHY we do what we do in the field.
Not all EMS systems relegate the EMT-B to being a driver who humps the gear for the Paramedic. Some systems will actually dispatch an EMT-B crew for 9-1-1 calls. Since this happens, it's imperative that the EMT-B be given all the tools possible to be able to be in a better position to keep their patient from dying enroute to the hospital.
Additionally, being educated in Anatomy & Physiology will help the EMT-B better recognize when the patient's needs exceed the EMT-B's ability to manage the patient's illness/injuries; and therefore activate an ALS response sooner.
Mimi, if I had my way about it, I would require EVERY EMT-B, EMT-I and EMT-P to have an Associates Degree AT MINIMUM, before being able to enter the field of EMS.
My suggestion to you is to enroll at a reputable college and obtain at least an Associates Degree prior to trying to break into the EMS field. With the explosion of these 'patch mill schools', having an associates degree as an EMT-B will set you apart from the hordes of mediocre providers that these schools traditionally flood the market with! Additionally, having already obtained your Associates Degree will be of invaluable benefit as you move up the 'food chain' to Paramedic. I further reccommend that you not enter the field as an EMT-B in the first place, but hold out until you obtain your Associates Degree in Paramedicine.
In no way am I bashing EMT-B's, (I was one for 12 years myself), but I also know first hand how limited they truly are! Yes, putting dreams and plans on hold while you get your degree is disappointing and frustrating to say the least, but by doing so; you will be able to provide better care for your patients that call you, which is what we should be doing in the first place!
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Benzos can be used to treat vertigo (from any cause) in an acute setting, but are not recommended for long term use. They work pretty well and if you have ever had vertigo you will understand how much the pt will thank you when you make them feel better.
When my cerebral aneurysm presented, one of the symptoms I had was vertigo. I don't know of any way to really 'quantify' how dizzy I was because I've never known anything other than 'dizzy'. To me, it would be similar to being married or pregnant; either you are or you're not...can't be 'a little bit married' or 'a little bit pregnant'.
Even simplly lying on the cot, I was afraid that if I let go of it, it would sling me off and send me flying into the nearest solid object. In the back of my mind, I knew that was an impossibility, but it didn't change the fact that it felt like my entire world was spinning way too fast, and way out of control!
I've been drunk enough to have had several bouts of 'bed spins', but this could be 'fixed' by simply dropping one foot to the floor (it gives a sense of reference, and works wonders to get the bed to quit spinning!)...
In my case, there was nothing that helped mitigate what I was feeling, and I can tell you from personal experience that it's a terrifying feeling!
If anyone had been able to even lessen the effects, I would have nominated them to be promoted to demi-god on the spot!
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Wearing name plates or not?
in General EMS Discussion
Posted
I'm going to have to disagree with this definition. I don't think that 'public service' is defined by your employer, but rather by your client base.
We stand at the ready to come to the aid of the general public. We cannot refuse to help people because they're not a card carrying member, nor can we refuse to help someone based on their ability to pay; nor can we refuse service because they don't have the 'right kind of insurance'...
Unlike a doctor's office, we cannot selectively pick and choose our patients like say a doctors office (private practice), nor can we refuse to treat them because they don't listen to us and follow our medical advice.
Even private fire departments (like Rural Metro) who serves a 'members only' client base (they sell 'subscriptions' to raise money and have been known to stand and watch while a 'non-members' house burns) are known as 'public servants'.
As far as name tags/plates are concerned, it is my opinion that they're part of the professional apparel/uniform. I prefer those that show either 'last name only' or first initial and last name. Have you noticed that Doctors have their names embroidered on their lab coats (you didn't actually think it was there because its a 'vanity thing' did you?)?
If you happen to encounter a 'badge bunny', 'EMS groupie' etc that is engaging in stalking/threatening behaviors or putting you and/or your family in a precarious position, that's when you call a different 'public servant'....the police, and let them deal with it.