sirduke

Yes, but only because we use the ART system on our laptops and it is required to validate the report.

I've noticed this trend as well, seems like each new class of EMT hopefuls get bigger and sorrier as well. In the last class we had doing their clinicals with us, only three of 12 were under 250 lbs. The sad fact was that they also seemed to be only interested in getting into EMS for the down time. That was a common comment I overhear, "dang you guys get a lot of time off and if you aren't busy, ya'll got it dicked".

I took time to explain to them that if that was their entire reason, then they needed to drop the course right then.

I'm seeing a trend in new hopefuls who have no concept of lifting, no sense of urgency, and a lot of "in yo face" attitude. One even dared to ask why students had to take vitals and lift the stretcher. Needless to say, a quick conversation with his instructor and he was bounced.

How very typical.

The local group of Firemonkeys here want to combine EMS and Fire, claiming they would be benefiting EMS.

The truth is, they have a crappy old station, EMS has a new station, EMS is within budget and they are way over budget.

They have decided that they will take over EMS, train us to be firemonkeys, no mention of the fact that none of them are EMT's and forget any of them being Paramedics.

The chief Firemonkey stated that we would be trained as firemonkeys first, and when time and funding permitted, then the hose jockeys would be allowed to go to school and become EMTs, but he didn't see the need to have them become Paramedics as we already have medics.

I thought we'd already had this fight.

I was taught to hang NS, and the protocol where I worked then, as well as the protocol where I work now, is NS, however, I also work part-time at another service which has D5W in their protocol, so when there, I use D5W.

The reason for posting this in the first place was to bring up the fact that there seems to be no standard being taught that is consistant from one school to another.

When I was a paramedic student, this same Paramedic asked me what fluid I'd hang when administering D50, and when I told him NS he threw Hell. And when I informed him, as did one of my classmates, that we were taught to use NS, he informed us that we as well as our instructor were idiots. He even went on to call our instructor and raise hell with her.

Our current crop of students are being instructed to hang D5W, and one of them questioned me while riding along, when I hung NS.

Anyrate, still waiting for Dust to slip in, tell us all Paramedic schools suck, grumble a bit, and then enlighten us all.

I've scoped this out on the Net, read all the pros and cons I could find, and still don't have a definite answer as to which is best.

Depends on the person (no not thier race LOL), most only do 2-24hr shifts as a third. Then throw them into the deep end with a good experienced, educated, practitioner.

With the ride time, thier is also a few days in the office/bay to learn operations stuff.

Dang it mobey, you done beat Crotch to the race card.

Just wondering, our service uses a Normal Saline drip when administering D50, however, our neighboring county uses D5W for the same thing. One of our part-time medics, who has been a medic for about 18 years is very vocal in his opinion that we should be giving D5W.

When I went to paramedic school we were taught to use Normal Saline, however the students we are precepting have been taught to use D5W.

So I thought we'd open this up for discussion, I searched the forum, but didn't see any topic directly related to this.

Can't wait for Dusty to weigh in on this one, ought to be a lively debate.

That's because the OP asked about EMS, not the fire service.

Firemonkeys don't have anything to do with EMS.

Just poking at you Dust, but if we'd let them, the Firemonkeys would take over.

Completely. Many large systems these days don't have a "base of operations". You spend all 12 hours sitting in an ambulance on a street corner somewhere, waiting to be dispatched. And you often don't wait long, because you are busy going from one run to the next constantly, without much of a break in-between.

Other places, you may have a station to go back to, but short shifts where you can't actually sleep there. You just sit and watch TV or surf the Internet. The more conscientious medics will study or do something constructive, like care for their equipment. Others will just vegetate in a recliner. Some stations will have weights, treadmills, or other workout facilities you can use. Most all will at least have a television and a couple of recliner chairs to relax in.

You may work somewhere that there is an actual station to retire to, and be slow enough to actually enjoy it there. Most employers require that you be awake and dressed during the daytime, and may only go to sleep after a certain time. This sort of blows, since there is a good chance that you'll be too busy to sleep after those hours, which gets real old really fast. Other nights, you may get lucky and sleep all night long without interruption. Again, this is entirely dependent upon where you work. There are ambulances that make 20 runs in 24 hours. There are ambulances that don't make 20 runs a month. Consequently, there is no typical ambulance shift nationwide.

Also making a difference is if you are actually working in EMS, or if you are just a private transfer ambulance driver. Those guys tend to stay busier than many EMS medics, and doing nothing exciting the whole time, just being a horizontal taxi. That is the job that most new EMTs can get, as actual EMS jobs are pretty scarce. In private transfer companies, they will sometimes have you driving around from nursing home to nursing home, handing out candy and pens and business cards to nurses trying to drum up business all day long.

You can get creative on how to keep yourself occupied during down time. In mobile systems, where we were stuck in the truck all night long, I usually carried a glow in the dark Frisbee with me, and my partner and I would find a dark parking lot to have some fun in. The Internet and portable video games are popular. I've played many a card and chess game in the ambulance too. I've gone to bowling alleys and bowled or played video games while stuck mobile. In the very old days, we might even go to a drive-in movie in the ambulance. If you live in the service area, you can go home and take care of business, or go to your girlfriend or mistress' house and take care of her "business".

Of course, in many systems, you may be stuck in a neighbourhood where you don't want to leave the safety of the station or the ambulance unless absolutely necessary. In those cases, you often just have to find a big, open, well lit parking lot somewhere, park with your doors locked, and keep both sets of eyes open for anyone approaching, until you get your next run.

If you're talking about volunteers, that too varies greatly. There are volunteer agencies that have people assigned to specific shifts, and must be at a station or nearby during that time. There are others where it's a free-for-all, and everyone just busts ass to the station when the tones drop. In either case, what you do during down time is up to you.

And I'd be lying if I said I've never engaged in a naked pillow fight at the station.

I am in AWE !!! In all this, and all the follow on post, Dust hasn't used the term FIREMONKEY yet !!!

Dusty, are you slipping son?

GOD BE PRAISED, HE IS DEAD

Lone, a couple of local remedies I've run across come to mind.

Gargling bleach for a sore throat. Seen that more than once.

Saw one local idiot use a q-tip in battery acid to remove warts.

I shot the Sheriff~ Eric Clapton

why are women so hard to understand?

I'm with Ruff, based on prior history.

Complain annonymously to the fire department chief. Tell him that you live on that street and wondered why the fire truck waited -- tell him you took videos of it, and will turn it over to the news. I imagine those employees will be fired. Anyone that with-holds care to a patient in need should have their license taken and should be criminally persectuted. Notify your State EMS Office as well, even though these guys are fire department property, they are EMTs and Medics, and fall under the States jurisdiction. The response time records should prove that they did wait, since they arrived at the same time you did, and you had an extended eta

Unless of course they are black, unless you are also black, or Crotch will advocate you having to pay !

Seriously, it is a concern that should be dealt with. Document every aspect of it, to include times of dispatch, etc. Keep these for your defense should you suffer reprecussions.

Duke

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_michael_jackson

AP Source: Michael Jackson dies in LA hospital

God be Praised, Nuff Said.

Amen, I say Amen.

The only thing this whole drawn out thread has proven is that Crotch-Cricket is a money grubbing Racist who wants to be paid for hating crackers, kikes, hymies, chinks, honkies, towel heads, and any other group I may have forgotten, but at the same time doesn't want to admit he is FULL OF SHEITE.

Crotch, take a flying leap at a Rolling Donut.

If my son ever, EVER, suggest that he is entitled to something just because he is half black and 1/4 American indian, I will beat the brake shoes off him.

Should he try to excuse a bad grade or poor test score on the oppression of his fore fathers, I'll remind him about sneaking out to play without finishing his studying or homework.

I've said it in the past, I'll say it again, Crotch, you sir, are a Freaking Moron.

Yes ParaMike, I'm sad to say, that long after the world has forgotten of his passing, they will still be clamoring about MJ. A sad testament to our society.

It is with sadness I saw that Walter Cronkite passed away a little while ago. He was perhaps the greatest newscaster I ever watched.

RIP Walter, 1916 to 2009

Blanket statements? Did you even notice the word "some" in almost all of my posts? Did you also notice that I specifically directed my remarks to herbie and CB?

Did you even understand the remark I made about fat overweight Paramedics sucking up workmen's comp? Let me repost it:

As far as the disgusting part, I feel the same way about obese, chain smoking EMT(P)s who suck up sick days, increase out of pocket insurance rates for everyone and then expect the government to support their fat, short of breath arses when they go out on disability from a line of duty injury they received while reaching for that last powdered sugar donut.

Did that remark hit a nerve and are you one of those fat, chain smoking EMTs who are on workmen's comp? If not then how does that pertain to you or anyone who doesn't fit that description and is on Workmen's Comp? That also should be an issue others should be concerned about since it directly affects insurance rates and overhead for your company.

If I am working in the Cardiopulmonary Stress lab I must test these EMT(P)s. So I do have first hand knowledge of their excuses. I have also worked in EMS for 30 years and have seen many types come and go in the profession. If you have even worked in EMS don't tell me you haven't seen these fine examples of an unhealthy lifestyle and then use their jobs as an excuse. Do you know how many workmen's comp claims are made and many of them could probably have been avoidable it the EMS provider had taken an interest in their own health? How about deaths on the job usually related to cardiopulmonary problems? Is this honestly any different than what a couple of you have been saying about the homeless who don't want to take care of themselves?

Why is it also that when someone points out something that EMS could improve you must also use the "they do it too excuse"? This forum is about EMS. If you read some of the forums for law enforcement you will notice they are more aware of their fitness situation as are the FFs and have been trying to improve within their systems. But, no some in EMS must continue to make excuses for their profession which criticizing patients and other professions.

Xanax? So are drugs your answer to ignor situations or to enforce the "don't care" attitude. No thanks you can keep your drugs. I prefer to be clear headed when I am providing patient care. If drugs are the answer to your own problems then I suggest you examine your own life and stop criticizing others. I seriously hope you don't give that advice out freely to your co-workers. Drugs are NOT the answer especially if you have the responsibility of patient care. It is too easy for an abusive habit to form and you may find your ownself on the streets.

First off, yes I am in EMS, I work in a Rural setting, for two different services, both ALS Paid Non Fire services. No, other than Synthyroid and Glucophage, I don't take any drugs, on duty or off, nor do I chain smoke, though I have been known to take an occasional drink.

While I'm not Charles Atlas by any means, I am not a short of breath cardiac incident waiting to happen. I've never been on workmans comp except to have some dental work done after a violent patient caught me off guard. As for powdered donuts, wish I could, but like to keep my ACL down, I intend to keep my feet, eyes and related systems until the end. Family history will catch me one day and the triple A will get me, either that or a young eager EMT driver.

I merely take humbrage to those who rant and rave and use, and yes you did, use blanket statements about EMS and our "Lack of Concern". Your response seems to indicate that I struck a nerve. Just like with Crotch cricket who assumes that because I'm white, I'm a racist. Wrong again, my son disproves that theory.

Anyway, nothing I say will matter at this point anyway, as you have branded me, judged me, and therefore I am wasting my breath.

Duke

Yep Vent, I read every single post in this thread, most especially yours. I hate blanket statements, which is why I decided to enter the fray.

You kept on referring to "fat overweight donut eating chain smoking EMT(P)s, which infers to me that you have a chip on your shoulder towards Paramedics. We are not all like that no more so than all cops are donut eating ticket writing gun happy profiling bastards.

One thought for you ....Xanax PO, PRN

Duke

you guys are so funny. Yes the schools were desegregated, but try walking into a school as a black child prior to 1968. I seem to remember a historical event where a certain southern governor stood in the doorway of a university, blocking the entrance of black students.

I submit to you sir, try being a small white child walking into an allmost all black school in 1967 like I and 3 other white kids did. Where the teachers and the children all viewed you as their personal opportunity to "get some back". I wore an ass whipping home every day. Didn't dare go into the bathroom alone, nor did telling the black teachers or the black principal do anything but get you a paddling for lying.

So KMA, don't tell me blacks can't be racist, I know better.

I'll throw a dog in this fight !!!

First, let me ask, why in the very first page of this melee, why did you, Vent, jump on EMT-Ps like a fat kid on a donut? "Seems somebody gots a hateful grudge against the EMT(P)s. (aka Gov. Pappy O'Daniel)"

That aside, yes, we need to make an effort to assist anyone and everyone we can, as best we can, and within the limits of our resources and protocols. I've tried my best to help hundreds of people, and perhaps had a bit of limited success with a few.

But !

As it has been stated, ad nausem, You cannot help someone who doesn't want to help themselves. At least not very far. I lost a very good friend to ETOH and drugs, despite being there for him every minute, taking him to rehab, holding his hand, feeding his family, but I couldn't stop the self destructive behavior and it eventually killed him. But I didn't give up.

We have regulars here that we transport almost every shift, our protocols don't allow us to refuse them. We've reported them to social services, who are very familiar with their cases, and they attempt to help them, but to no avail.

So are you saying that I'm just dumping patients on the ER and leaving them to deal with it? I've followed up on so many cases with law enforcement and social services that they groan when they hear my name sometimes.

One of the sad case regulars we had is/was a MA of Lit. who taught at the local college for years, fell into the trap of ETOH and drugs, and ended up on the street as a prostitute, living in an abandoned van. Sober, which wasn't often, she was very literate, funny, and sad about her situation, but would tell you that she couldn't change, and didn't want to change. Drunk, or high, she was a demon, hitting LEOs and EMS, nurses, anyone who got within striking range. She once commented to me that she owed the hospital over 500K, but "they can't get blood out of a turnip".

What I ask you Vent, did I fail to do in my attempts to help her?

You are trying to cast us all as uncaring, lazy, cold hearted bastards, and from reading your post/rants, it seems that no matter what anyone says, you take offense to, deem them as wrong.

My last question for you, do you realize that you are coming over just like Crotch Cricket with his race card bullcrap?

Peace Out

Michael Duke, EMT-P

could give a long winded answer, but the short answer is "thats the price you (whites) pay for breaking the window". I know it wasnt you personally, or anyone in this room, but a price must be paid for what you did to the american indian and blacks. I am sorry your forefathers kept passing the buck, it should have been settled in the last century.

So, uh, when can we expect to see blacks paying back Koreans and other nationalities for beating them, robbing them, and stealing from them?

Oh wait, I wasn't supposed to ask that was I? Let me take my cracker ass back inside the whipping shed...

anyone can be a racist, but it does not matter if you are not in power -- only whites have the ability to enforce their racist views through racist policies. If you dont think racism is alive and well ---- go to craigslist.com, click on your city, click on "rants and raves", then type the "n" word in the search box --- see what pops up ?

And not everyone is exposed to the same education because they went to school -- schools differ wildly from city to city and state to state. And yes, genetics and family history do have a role in how educated you are --- this is why poor families keep getting poorer and rich families keep getting richer. It is why adopted kids can do better, because of the change of family.

FAIL.

You are still talking out of both sides of your mouth.

Racist policies. What do you think Affirmative Action is, a racist policy that discriminates against non-minorities. And on that subject, how do you get to be a minority in areas like where I live where blacks outnumber whites or hispanics?

Anyone can be a racist. However only white racist are open to persecution.

Blacks discriminate against Koreans, Hispanics, Whites, and Yes even other blacks, especially those who have dark dark skin tones or light skin tones.

Admit it, you are full of sheite and are enjoying this speil of "Cracker" baiting.

Blow it out your butt Crotch cricket, you are an idiot.

I have a son that is half black, so does that make me a half racist?

Thank God he is able to see that people are people, and that noone is better than the other unless the other one chooses to be a piece of crap.

Get Deez.

Hells bells, who let crotchcricket out again ?

He is just baiting you and catching you too I might add. It is a typical defense when all logical arguments have failed, throw out the race card and haul ass.

It usually works well too, because once the race card has been flung down, we go into "prove we ain't" mode and nothing we say will be defendable. Should we say "I work with several blacks/hispanics/whatever and we're pretty good friends" then we get accused of having "token" or "safe" friends.

If we answer his question about black supervisory staff with "we have two at our station" the reply will be the same, they are just tokens and we are keeping the black man down.

Sort of like the In Living Color where they give the dead dog a try-out as a police dog just because the man that owns him says, "I see what it is, ya'll just don't want to give Duke a chance cause he's a BLACK dog."

To you Crotch I say this with all sincerity. "NEGRO PLEASE", quit hiding behind the past, join us in the future and get a life.

To the rest of us, ignore the silly bastiage.