john51071

I have been a member here for a long while, but haven't been here in what seems like a couple of years, so here is a re-introduction. I am a paramedic. I have been involved in EMS since 1987. I have worked in 3 states and a couple of foreign countries, taught, been the boss, and worked in many different scenarios, but street medicine will always be my favorite. Glad to be back.

Using Isuprel was rare when we carried it, but it worked like a charm if you needed it (used it a grand total of once personally). Also saw the nebulized ETOH used just recently in the ED; it also did the trick.

I have had the chance to use IN Midazolam on seizing patients 3-4 times since 2004. It works rapidly and well, and as mentioned by others, is much safer to #1 than an IV stick. Have not had a chance or reason to use IN Narcan, but then again, I almost never use it anyway. I think Nasal Atomization of these meds is a great benefit to any service, for safety alone.

Having spent '04 and '05 there, I can vouch for that. Even then, it was mostly the same thing--respiratory, heat, dehydration, whiners, and the occasional ortho, interspersed with the rare major traumas or medical cases.

Excellent post and great advice, Kaisu.

lol...among others

At a recent place of employment (I recently left for a much better offer), cell phone use was prohibited for drivers AND attendants, unless directly involving patient care, such as medical control contact. MDT use was also not allowed while operating the vehicle. I also started in the era where there were no cell phones, no one had a PC, much less an MDT. It worked. It was seemingly much safer. Cell phone use while driving is as dangerous as drinking and driving. Anyone who broke this rule was disciplined..and dismissed if it happened again. Talking on a cell phone in an ambulance with a patient on board is rude and unprofessional. Doing it with OR without a patient jeopardizes the lives of everyone in that vehicle, and those of the motorists around them. I am all for forbidding it.

No brainer for me. I love to teach, I could always use the money, and from the experience of having blown a disc, NO MORE CONSTANT LIFTING is the best part. And, did I mention, not always having to watch over your shoulder for someone who wants to do you harm?

I am currently located in North Carolina. I am most likely moving back to Louisiana in the next 6-8 weeks. I am willing to consider anything in the continental US--I love to travel. Why stay in one place all the time? The eastern half of the US is more realistic...draw an imaginary line from Texas to Michigan, and anywhere east of there. I will send you a private message also, and send you contact info.

Also, guys and gals, when I complete the text and get the course prepared, I will be looking for a few places to offer it free, as a pilot...a work-the-bugs-out kind of thing. If anyone is interested in hosting for their department, give me a shout on emtcity.

Dustdevil, Thanks for the reply. I am in total agreement, after much in-depth research, and the assistance of a counselor and a psychiatrist, that it is virtually impossible to pin down any numbers. Instead, and what I consider more important than numbers in most any subject area, is to just focus on the problem, and try to find ways to possibly prevent some of them. I agree, also, after 21 years of EMS, that there are people who come into the profession as nuts, and leave it as nuts. There is really no way to be certain if it was job-related or not either. Unfortunately, I have spent a LOT of time to figure that out, and could have just asked you-lol. I doubt I will produce anything earth-shattering, but if I can help someone prevent a single suicide I will feel like I have contributed something...but again, I will never know...because it was prevented. It does seem that I have stirred a lot of emotion in people. It is definitely an emotionally-charged subject area.

Looks like I have stirred up a hornet's nest and some good healthy discussion! "letmesleep", check your emtcity inbox for my contact info. Hopefully I will learn a little more from the discussions, and in the end I hope to teach a little to a lot of people. Thanks everyone.

I apologize for the grim subject matter, but there is a reason for my asking. If anyone in here has had a co-worker (Fire and/or EMS) who committed suicide, either on- or off-duty, and don't mind talking about it, please contact me. I have researched the subject, and am in the midst of developing a book/course on preventing suicide among FF/EMS workers. There are mountains of information out there on police officers, and rightfully so, but we have been painfully overlooked and the problem is larger than I anticipated. I am seeking a little extra information, as my research is basically complete. I won't ask for personal information or identifiers. My partner successfully committed suicide while on duty, and that is what has given me the drive me to do this. Any responses would be appreciated. Respond to me on this forum, private message, or public, and I will give you my contact information. Thanks in advance. John

Am I the only one who caught on to the words "agonal respirations", and then the patient was placed on a nonrebreather??? This does not qualify anyone to question someone for poor treatment...or to take care of patients. True agonal breathing is equal to no breathing. You have to breathe for them. Luckily someone else showed up to take over before it was too late. No, I don't apologize for being caustic. Either the poster does not know his medical terminology, or does not know his ABC's. Either way, keep wondering why EMS providers aren't treated as professionals...feel free to flame away.

Just wait a couple or 3 months, you will be wishing for the blow dryer and dry ground again. lol The wet cold over there will cut right thru you! It won't stop raining till about April or May once it starts.