alexeden

Let's think of it this way. There is nothing wrong with a medic making entry, or just supporting. But regardless, if you want to ensure medical care, one medic should stay only supporting role for each incident because if the only medic on the team makes entry and gets wounded, how can he/she help anyone else that gets wounded?

I strongly feel that volunteers are great! As with volunteer and paid services, you have people that do it to feel good about themselves, and also you have volunteers that actually care about the service, and patient care. People do not appreciate volunteers enough. They can be better thatn some of the paid EMTs! I have seen it.

As far as putting Lights and sirens in their personal vehicle, i am against it. However in an ambulance service close to mine, has like an emergency response vehicle (ALS equipped) for the EMS director. I guess the same conditions can be applied to a medical director/physician. First responders in our area cannot even run their hazard lights going to a call, and must follow all rules of the road. Also is running your lights and sirens going to save that much time for a physician, when an ambulance should be on the way, or on scene? If they wind up with an emergency response vehicle, they should have to go through an EVOC course like EMTs do in order to drive.

I don't think you are too old. If you think that's what you want to do, go for it! Be sure you can physically, and mentally deal with it though, it will take a lot out of you, but even if you get burnt out later, at least you can say you enjoyed doing it!

although you can sometimes see the needle jerking at the same time, you need to go by when you hear the first beat. pay no attention to the needle moving, it can throw you off!!

Hey everyone! I started in January of this year as some of you have also. We are doing our A&P prereq. first, and our final test is this Monday! I'm glad A&P is finally over with. It's just going to get everything we learned to "click". We will start with our Medicolegal stuff after that. I am taking my Paramedic course at SOTC in Ardmore, OK. We have a good instructor, and a good class. It's a 3 semester program. (working through summer) We should be finished around July or August of 2007. It's almost scary, but exciting at the same time that we can make such drastic changes in peoples' lives! Well i'm glad i found a place to get support from fellow medics! (NOT ambulance drivers!) haha.

I"m not sure exactly what your A&P class is like there, but it's got to be about the same everywhere. I'm not going to lie, it's pretty tough. You probably won't "get it" until later. I am in a Paramedic class right now, and A&P us a prereq. Things will not "click" right away. We are doing "Anatomy & Physiology for EMS" the nursing A&P class is very different though. Most say it's easier. You can do it if you put your mind to it though!! Go for it!