Free Spanish Course for First Responders

[spenac]

I saw this and thought hey it's free. Not the highest quality but good still. They are entered in a contest Pepsi has so they can earn money to improve the quality so vote for them. Please don't turn this into a political debate of why should I learn Spanish when they should learn English. Regardless of opinions Spanish is a large part of the USA populations first language so maybe we can learn a little so we can better help our patients. I have learned some Spanish and also sign language because of the large deaf community in my area. Even if not fluent you can calm a patient by at least speaking a little of their language.

http://www.refresheverything.com/firstresponders

[tcripp]

sorry, if you're in America, speak English or learn it....

What about those who are visiting our country legally (vacation, holiday, work or other) and find themselves in need of our assistance? Do you feel the same? Or, what about those who have just arrived (legal, illegal or otherwise) who've not had any time to acclimate?

I saw this and thought hey it's free. Not the highest quality but good still. They are entered in a contest Pepsi has so they can earn money to improve the quality so vote for them. Please don't turn this into a political debate of why should I learn Spanish when they should learn English. Regardless of opinions Spanish is a large part of the USA populations first language so maybe we can learn a little so we can better help our patients. I have learned some Spanish and also sign language because of the large deaf community in my area. Even if not fluent you can calm a patient by at least speaking a little of their language.

http://www.refreshev...firstresponders

I think this is fantastic and there isn't any reason why we can't improve all our skills and learn some of the language of the patients in our areas. How many times have you run on someone who speaks English, but reverts to his or her native language when they are critical?

[spenac]

sorry, if your in America, speak english or learn it....

Thanks for not complying with my request. Start your own topic if you want to bash those that speak other languages. Thank you.

[maverick56]

I voted An online option is way easier than looking for medical spanish classes. Regardless of how I feel about immigration or a national language etc, I want to be able to provide the best care possible to my patients, and that requires communication. I've had to treat enemy combatants before, and I sure as hell didn't agree their politics (or anything else for that matter), but I learned enough of their language to provide proper care. If I can handle that, learning a little basic Spanish isn't asking much. Just as soldiers are "apolitical" in the public eye, so are medical providers in their practice. We have a duty and oath to uphold regardless of circumstances.

edited for wording

Edited May 10, 2010 by maverick56

[spenac]

I voted An online option is way easier than looking for medical spanish classes. Regardless of how I feel about immigration or a national language etc, I want to be able to provide the best care possible to my patients, and that requires communication. I've had to treat enemy combatants before, and I sure as hell didn't agree their politics (or anything else for that matter), but I learned enough of their language to provide proper care. If I can handle that, learning a little basic Spanish isn't asking much. Just as soldiers are "apolitical" in the public eye, so are medical providers in their practice. We have a duty and oath to uphold regardless of circumstances.

edited for wording

Exactly. To provide care you must be able to communicate. I do not agree with what many of my patients are involved with yet I still treat them to the best of my ability. I commend you for the attitude of a true health care professional.

Wow I just noticed someone gave me a negative for providing a resource. That is just low by who ever did that.

[FireMedic65]

This is actually a really great idea. I have come across a few Spanish speaking patients and it was hard to do anything for them. Got by on them knowing very little broken English and my partner knowing very little broken Spanish.

I will not get into a debate about this with anyone so don't bother.

Also, Rosetta Stone is pretty awesome expensive though

[Chief1C]

After the influx of Texan's that drill for gas and oil around here, we had a few that did NOT speak English. US Citizens, born here, never left here, that didn't speak English. We could put them down all day, or we could just help them. Can't learn Spanish over night, so we installed communications books, so we can say some words, and point, contact translators, etc. I learned French and ASL in High School. Where the hell am I gonna need French? I shoulda' taken Spanish. I bookmarked the link, I think it's a good idea. There are many ideals that we all need, to function in EMS, but our main is communication. With every patient.

[spenac]

After the influx of Texan's that drill for gas and oil around here, we had a few that did NOT speak English. US Citizens, born here, never left here, that didn't speak English. We could put them down all day, or we could just help them. Can't learn Spanish over night, so we installed communications books, so we can say some words, and point, contact translators, etc. I learned French and ASL in High School. Where the hell am I gonna need French? I shoulda' taken Spanish. I bookmarked the link, I think it's a good idea. There are many ideals that we all need, to function in EMS, but our main is communication. With every patient.

Your ahead of most as French is actually similiar to Spanish in many ways. It may make learning Spanish easier.

[maverick56]

Exactly. To provide care you must be able to communicate. I do not agree with what many of my patients are involved with yet I still treat them to the best of my ability. I commend you for the attitude of a true health care professional.

Wow I just noticed someone gave me a negative for providing a resource. That is just low by who ever did that.

Thanks! Speaking of resources, I don't know if any of you have used visual translators, but they are life-savers (literally). A good friend got a couple for me before my first deployment and they were indispensable. The same company makes EMS and medical versions that I plan to purchase. These are useful for anyone with a communication barrier (hearing impaired, language, non-verbal). Kwikpoint Visual Translators

[tcripp]

After the influx of Texan's that drill for gas and oil around here, we had a few that did NOT speak English. US Citizens, born here, never left here, that didn't speak English. We could put them down all day, or we could just help them. Can't learn Spanish over night, so we installed communications books, so we can say some words, and point, contact translators, etc. I learned French and ASL in High School. Where the hell am I gonna need French? I shoulda' taken Spanish. I bookmarked the link, I think it's a good idea. There are many ideals that we all need, to function in EMS, but our main is communication. With every patient.

Between middle school, high school and college, I took 4 years of French. Like you, I wish I had taken Spanish as my mother suggested.

Would you believe that very first time I pulled over to render aid as a first responder, the patient was from Portugal and one of her languages was French...none were English. Also, my next door neighbors for the past few years were from France and one spoke little to no Enlish.

So...you never know when you will need it.