Richard B the EMT

If the barbed tips don't fall out, treat as impaled objects.

The concept is good, that of saving money by replacing only the box when it wears out, by placing it on the existing chassis, or replacing the chassis after an accident with a perfectly good box, instead of purchasing a totally new setup.

By the way, the only ones of the 3 types available in the "modular" types are the "Ones"( look like a pickup with a box), and the "Threes" (Cutaway van style). "Twos" are not, at least by my experience, designed for modular usage.

Now, if only the FDNY would get with the program, and stop sending the entire type one trucks to the auto graveyard, or for resale to out of state EMS systems?

PS: Due to unavoidable abuse, I'd never recommend anybody buying a used FDNY EMS ambulance for their EMS system, the trucks are worn out! Better they be used as some sort of construction vehicles, what with the built in cabinets and all?

Per an assortment of catalogs, I have seen reflective-only, reflective equipment carriers, non-reflective equipment carriers, "soft body armor" (so called "bullet-proof", which they ain't!) with equipment pockets, and without pockets.

Decide what you need, versus what you want, work those catalogs for price, sizes, and availability, and most definitely tell us how you made out.

What, "strip Parcheesi?" Whatever happened to "Strip Dominoes?"

Be careful. Most bikers I know, from the EMS Bikers to the stereotype Hells Angels, agree that most motorcycle accidents happen within the first 1,000 miles of that machine and rider's association. That is for each bike, per my correspondents.

I'd suggest contacting the Boy Scouts of America via their local council, which should be listed in the local phone directory. If nothing else, it's a start.

For those who know the New York City area, and nearby areas of New York State, some of you are aware that there's a fault line cutting across Manhattan Island at 125 Street. There's another one by the Consolidated Edison Plant at the FDR Drive at the East 14 Street exit.

Scariest of all, there's a fault line running directly under the 3 Nuke generators at Indian Point Nuclear Power Station, about 30 miles above NYC.

Aside from Alaska (1964) and California (lost count) residents, and NYC in September 1986, anybody ever been in a temblor? (September 1986 was my one and only temblor, but overall was a nothing compared to most Californian San Andreas Quakes)

Rules are Rules and they are there for a reason. So for that I might not agree totally with decision's but I would follow them

What mcad64 said.

Dispatch: Please respond to XYZ St for pt no pulse, not breathing.

Medic: A1 is en route. Just to confirm this is an arrest?

Dispatch: No, it's not an arrest.

Medic: Ok, last I checked no pulse not breathing was an arrest.

Dispatch: Yes, CARDIAC arrest.

Dispatch thought he was asking if the pt was under arrest.

That must be why the NYPD, FDNY, and FDNY EMS refer to someone as "Being Under", as opposed to "Under Arrest", so we don't get erroneous calls for prisoners whose (alleged) hearts are still beating.

"Ambulette 137, how the hell could you run out of gas? Don't you know that the 'E' on the fuel gage does NOT stand for 'Enough'!"

Well stated, "medic429."

The police over here are just starting to use them. They used one to take down one of the london bombers. It shut him up

Good!

Bumped up, again.

This is too easy!

For field units, the dumbest thing on the radio is the dispatchers, and for the dispatchers, the field crews. There will be questionable on both sides that they will agree on.

What about the "Mr Universe" bodybuilders competition? As far as I am aware, we might have aliens there, but not the extra-terrestrial types!

I like the New York Mets, as I live in the Mets' home county of Queens, New York.

I like the New York Yankees, because I like tradition,

And, I like any team beating the L. A. Dodgers, because my parents both came from Brooklyn, NY!

In the NYPD, sargents and above, only, carry the Tasers, FYI.

I thought the "plunger" was from the early 1990s, but we could both be wrong.

For those of us who remember "Johnny and Roy", they carried around a "12 Watt" 2 way radio, which they could hook up and use to transmit an EKG. That is Telemetry, as I understand it. That is why the Medical Control at FDNY EMS is called Telemetry Control, I presume.

As of this posting, which is, admittedly a bump-up, I note only 26 folks have taken the poll. We're supposed to be 1000 strong, how about a couple more folks taking this poll?

Don't know what triggered it, but something in this string reminded me of what I was told were the first SAEDs. One patch to the abdomen, the other contact was a metallic Hudson lookalike airway, preattaced to the machine. The "airway", of course, went into the moisture of the mouth. If it found a shock-able rhythm, it would fire itself without any crew intervention.

The reason it didn't work out was supposed to have been, while moving a patient down a staircase, during field trials, in the middle of the staircase, with no place to put down the patient, the luck-less crew hears the machine say "STAND CLEAR! STAND CLEAR!" and starting the charging whine!

Needless to say, the unit prototype was withdrawn from the test market almost immediately!

( I do wish I could document this. Anyone else?)

If suctioning through a Berman, lose the yankaur we in FDNY EMS usually have pre-connected to the portable suction unit, and use an appropriate sized "French" suction tip. Most fit through the channels in most airways I have used, but I admit your experiences may be different.

I'm used to the Bermans, but strictly use them as one use disposable. I remember, many years ago, seeing a reusable Aluminum airway set.

It's kind of funny, but my Paramedics, when they borrow my Littman "ears" say the thing is TOO sensitive.

Also, skill counts, too, as I have been able to get fairly good results with the "el-cheap-oh" "Nurse's" style. There will be days when even the best scope won't do the job for you.

Bumped for additional voting and commentary by new EMT City-ites.