BEorP

My lift test for my Paramedic program here in Ontario involves putting a backboard onto the stretcher (at whatever height you like), lowering the stretcher all the way, raising it up all the way, loading it, and then switching sides and doing the whole thing again. We also then need to do a stair chair lift test of either one or two flights of stairs, up and down, and then switch (number of flights and weight depends on which semester you're in).

And just for the record...some of our medics have been around since we WERE just ambulance drivers...those guys, and the ones who only passed cuz they're book smart, but can't lift or take a set of vitals to save their lives...do they deserve to be called paramedics?

I don't know what college would pass someone who can't lift or do vitals

When people call you and ambulance driver, I honestly dont think they say it in a demeaning way, I think it is because they dont know there is an official title that goes along with it.

It's not just an "official title," it is a completely different thing... it's driving a truck compared to performing prehospital medicine.

I'm not saying that I find it insulting that many in the public don't know that in Ontario there are no abmulance drivers, but I do think that a Paramedic deserves to be called a Paramedic.

I really don't see what the big deal is. Even medics are called ambulance drivers. It's not that the public is uneducated, it's just that they really don't care. As long as we show up and help them. My partner and I, both medics, did a call by call deal. We took turns driving... If you are driving and ambulance, then you are an ambulance driver...

But here in Ontario at least... even that person driving the ambulance is a Paramedic, not just a driver. Anyone with the right license can be an ambulance driver, but it takes at least two challenging years of school to become a Paramedic.

Well if you are at the station there probably shouldn't be members of the public watching....

EDIT - I am actually quite frequently asked by patients how long I went to school for to do this. I am older than I look, so people may see me as straight outta high school. Also the general public here has zero clue that there are different levels of paramedic in the city. We all wear the same uniform, we all drive the same ambulances, we all are called paramedics. I would be embarrassed to say the least if I told them I had only about 3 weeks full time education and I am caring for you. That I never really had any clinical or preceptorship, but "Hey, so how are ya feeling..."

That's exactly what I was thinking about. (For those of you who don't know I'll be a PCP student in September.) In a few years, when a pt asks me "So what did you need to do to be a paramedic?" I will be able to proudly say I have a BSc in Paramedicine and to be completely honest this is important to me because I also look much younger than I am and want to be respected and trusted by my pts.

what about throwing COPD pt's into this mix? ive heard alot of people argue about giving COPD pts O2. "they will stop breathing if you give them O2!"......well, with no oxygen....you will die.

AFAIK (not speaking from experience) it usually takes more time than there is in a perhospital setting for them to stop breathing from being on O2 and even if they did their body will cause them to start breathing again once the oxygen is off.

Welcome to the forums! Sorry that I can't help you with your EMT-B cert stuff (I'm up in the Great White North and don't know much about your state's system).

I do have one question for you just out of curiosity, you said:

During the trauma assessment, I had to check the patient's circulation. My instructor asked me where are the three places to find a pulse (excluding anything on the neck since the patient has a collar on).

Are your collars not open around the front of the neck enough to check carotid pulse?

What does everyone think? Should I write a paramedic textbook? I would like to do so, only because I don't think the books out there are doing an adequate job to teaching physiology and things beyond the bare minimum. My contempt for Dr. Bledsoe and his book are well known. Does everyone think a new (more advanced and thorough) book is in order?

I do not mean to offend you, but as has already been mentioned, how can you write a paramedic book when you're only an EMT-I? If you really want to write a paramedic text, at least become one first.

vs-eh, just wondering if you can explain or provide a link to something that explains exactly why this new method is better in theory. Most of us seem to just be thinking that without getting O2 into the body, there's no point in pumping blood... obviously there's more to it than just this so I'm curious to know how it works so well.

I think part of it would depend on the ages of everyone...

I do like the iPod, with 60gb hard drive and colour screen with a video out so you can watch pictures on your TV...I think that is cool...maybe someday.

But how much does that cost? I have no idea so I can't say for sure, but I'd bet you can get a PPC that can do more for less.

I have a PPC that I use for my MP3s. I hate Ipods but Podcasting isn't a bad idea. As for why I hate Ipods, it's mainly because they're very much just a fad and there are cheaper ways to get a better product. When they first came out, the storage space they offered was amazing, but now memory cards have started to catch up.

First Responder here in Ontario, volunteer with the Bike Patrol in our city.