ergo343

Yeah, it brings back memories of back in the day.... Like yesterday. I guess that's what happens when you don't work in US or Canada. We re-use the disposable BVMs, have old gross foot suction units, re-use C-collars (and not the easy adjustable Laedral one's, ours have 2 pieces and sizes), we re-use just about anything we can. Anyway, back on topic. My first call... was something like abdmonial pain. What a fun way to start working. But, my first call as a first responder was an MI, I was at an engagement party with my boyfriend, who had an ambulance with him, he got a beeper for a call nearby, and off we went, my boyfriend (approximately the equivilent of an EMT-I), his cousin (a paramedic) and I (an EMT-, it was a fun makeshift ambulance team; the only thing we lacked was a monitor, but we managed, started an IV, took vitals, gave O2, gave aspirin, and did what we could, before the mICU came.

We started on each other. In order to pass we needed to start 4 lines per person, and since there were only two of us learning I was stuck a bunch of times.. What was really bad was when we only had two more 18s left, so if I messed up on my final stick, I would be on the wrong end of a 14. But we didn't start with dummies or anything, first with a rubber tube-like thing and then right into a human. The first stick did hurt though.

It's just interesting because in Israel, the lowest (non-youth) level is trained to start IVs. I guess thats just a different approach to EMS. Or it's just the sadistic people who enjoy watching 18 year-olds stick each other with needles.... And. It's not uncommon for the Basics to measure out doses of medications and push them. Everything is under the guidance of a Paramedic or a Doctor, and is checked before being pushed, but still, they are given a lot of responsibility (as long as the driver trusts you). I guess in this country we are just a lot less square...

Ah. Now here are the benefits of not working in the US. To drive in Israel you need to be 21, have had your driver's license for 4 years, and take and pass a course specifically for ambulance driving... Which means that I won't be able to drive in this country for a while, but also has the added benefit of making me actually feel safe (most of the time) when my driver is taking the ambulance over barriers and sidewalks... But to the freeway question. Here, when the call is classified as "urgent" (no 1, 2, or 3, just urgent or non-urgent) lights go on automatically and sirens are used as needed to clear traffic and alert people that we are breaking various traffic laws so they should be aware, even on the highways. When things get backed up it is very easy to clear them with the use of a siren and an air horn...

It has been a while since I've had a chance to check this page, as I'm not home (I'm in Israel for the year) and my internet access is limited... However, I right now am getting the chance to take a few minutes and look things over. I appreciate everyone's suggestions and insights into the situation. There is an update however in the medical situation of my friend that makes everything a lot clearer. About a month ago doctors found a tumor on her trachea, which accounted for most of her symptoms. I haven't seen her recently, as am 6000 miles away, but from what I understand she is doing much better. I have to run, as I have class to attend. But thank you all again --Elkie

She's not out of her meds, and she does take them on a regular basis, she just doesn't take her albuterol as often as she needs to. She's wheezing audibly about 90% of the time and gets sick from the albuterol. She'll end up taking it at least once a day, but she can't breathe much more often than that. Interesting, but not this, as it is exercise induced; unless, of course, sitting at the dining room table is considered exercise (and no she isn't out of shape, she just can't breathe well) Looked at this before posting. Wikipedia is my friend. The issue is that she doesn't like to use her rescue inhaler all the time she is very sensitive to it and she doesn't feel that a rescue inhaler should be used on a regular basis. Even when she uses her albuterol her breathing gets bad again very quickly. It doesn't last. She uses it when she gets symptomatic from hypoxia (headache), which is often enough as it is. I agree that there is something the doctors missed. But, she goes to her doctor regularly and it is hard not hear her breathing, so unless the doctor was deaf, I'm not so sure she could have hid it from him. I'm concerned is all. I don't think that it's a good thing that she's not so compliant. But I also think that if there is a different underlying cause then the albuterol won't do a whole lot for her. I don't know. Married friend, at her house, with husband at home = not so appropriate; but that's just my opinion. However, unmarried friend, at my house, I can ask them to be my guinea pigs, but there is no guarantee that they will agree. It took convincing until my friends would let me take a BP on them. Lung sounds I don't think will happen. Now why don't I have little siblings to torture??

I knew I forgot to write something. Audible wheezes. I didn't auscultate at all. I don't really think it is within my rights as a friend to ask if I could listen to her lungs.

One of my friends (28 y/o Female) was diagnosed about a year ago with asthma. She's on the maximum dose of inhaled steroids (daily) and albuterol as needed. About 90% of the time she walks around wheezing and can't get enough air. She won't use her albuterol as often as she needs it (so that she can breathe normally) because it makes her nauseated. Then after enough time, she gets headaches because she's hypoxic, then she decides the use her albuterol and gets nauseated, but she is able to breathe better. Which leads me to my question: I spent part of the weekend at her house and I realized that she was wheezing most of the time on the inhale and only part of the time on the exhale. I was under the impression that with asthma the wheeze is on the exhale and if the wheeze is on the inhale it is most probably an upper airway obstruction or an allergic reaction. I didn't want to say anything because she had obviously been to doctors for her asthma who would have picked it up if there was anything to pick up. However, I have never heard of asthma presenting with a wheeze on the inhale. Has anyone ever encountered asthma presenting with a wheeze on the inhale? Am I correct in my assumption that something else might be causing most of her symptoms? Just looking for input. Elkie

I just completed a Basic course that was 6 weeks long. Three days a week, 7 hours a day (plus a little clinical time). We started with about 35 people and only 17 of us are taking the state written exam tomorrow. Most that didn't finish failed out. A few voluntarily withdrew to a different class, over a longer period of time, because there was just so much information that they felt they could handle in such a short period of time. And even then, some people in the class do not feel prepared for the state exam. It really just depends on the person. [Echo-ing DustDevil]: If you feel you can handle it and dedicate your time and effort into a one month class, then go for it. Good luck!

Yes, it's possible, but in this case, I happen to know the driver and know that she drives safely even when on the way to a call (I've been in the car) so I would doubt it. If it were some of my other friends, I would say that you are completely right, I just don't think so in this case. But then again, I wasn't there, and anything is possible.

39.You have ever wanted to hold a seminar entitled "Suicide...Doing It Right"... Ah. If only.

By me the EMS service is all volly, with no one on in the station, just people coming in when a call goes out. So just about all the EMS workers have lights installed in their cars. Some have "bubble lights" that they stick on their roof when need be; however, those are not as effective and I know of a few people who have gotten into serious car accidents while trying to use "bubble lights" to get to a call. One of my friends after getting back on her feet almost three months after her car was totaled while she was using a 'bubble light' to get to a call, bought a new car (her old one was beyond repair) and then spent money installing lights in her headlights and tail-lights, which she now uses to get to calls. No sirens though, I think they might even be illegal. Mostly it's just flip the lights on, put one hand on the horn, and drive like that until at the station. So not all people who install lights in their cars are wasting money, it just depends on where you are located. As for equipment, I hate to say that most people around me carry more than the ambulance they work on. I've seen people that can't even put their groceries in the trunk of their car because they have all their equipment taking up the space. I, however (though I am VERY new [read: taking my state written next week] at this so the list might change a little), only carry a pair of gloves and a pocket face mask. Maybe when I'm in Israel, I'll carry a bit more, or if I need anything else and there is no ambulance there to take over by the time I need it (which is highly unlikely, given that no matter where I go I usually stick to urban areas) I'll get creative.

Also. KBP- Killed by Paramedic.

I graduated high school this past June and decided to spend my summer break taking an EMT course. I don't regret it. I really enjoyed the class and I'm taking my state exam next week. As for working while I'm still under the age of 21: Personally, I'm taking a year off before I go to college to spend a year in Israel. I plan to volunteer there as a EMT or if that's not possible a CFR. So I'm an exception to the rule of what goes on when you are a young EMT. However, I do know, that regardless of what I do next year, I will most probably be able to work when I get back to the states. The college that I am going to has their own volly ambulance service. I know that they are not the only ones, many colleges will have a volunteer ambulance service that is student staffed. So with regard to what R/r 911 said. If you are going into EMS right at of high school, you aren't going to make a living right out of it right away (if that's what you plan to do). You will most probably have to volunteer to keep up your skills, gain some experience, and fill the years until you are old enough to be hired by a professional agency. ( R/r 911- Is that really true about the EMS agencies not hiring until you are 21? Interesting. I've never heard that. Does experience over ride the age issue? ) If you really want to take your EMT class next summer, and you think that you are mature enough and ready for it, then go for it. But just keep in mind that taking an EMT course right out of high school isn't for everyone. You should really sit down and think about it first, make sure that's what you want to do with your summer, make sure you are ready for it. Being an EMT is not something you do on a whim. And I know that I too am young and maybe some people would say too young to be an EMT, but before I paid for the course I made sure that I wanted to take it and was ready for it. If you want to know what you are going to learn in your EMT course. Take a look at your state's Department of Health website for course schedules, descriptions, or curriculums. That should give you a basic outline of what is going to be learned. -Elkie

I'm still young. :thumbleft: But somehow I don't think I needed the quiz to tell me that.

One of my very good friends was injured while on a call. Not so much in the back of the rig though. She was climbing into the back and her over zealous partner slammed the door shut before she was fully inside. She got 'caught' (ish) in the door, when it shut on her back. Broke a couple of vertebrae, messed up her back forever. She is constantly in pain and can't work 911 anymore and can barely even work transport. As my instructor says, "There is rarely a reason to rush like mad man to the hospital. You are better off getting everyone in the ambulance to the hospital in one piece and getting there a minute slower, than driving recklessly." (He did go on to say that if you suspect a AAA to drive like crazy). Not only do you have to be careful when you are driving. You have to be careful not to rush too with regard to the entire call. You shouldn't move like snails, but you can't be reckless, in my opinion, safety always comes first. -Elkie