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Hi, im a returned city junkie, i used to frequent tthis place intensely but have not been here for over a year due to some overly complicated personal matters. The fact that the aussie/USD conversion rate is a little better makes paying a bit easier too Anyway, hi to people i dont know and to the people i do know, Suck it, im back

OMG! I generally defer from reading topics that do not appeal to me when it gets to the topic itself. In this case, "Lifeline" is something that has no meaning to me since we do not have anything similar to it where I am from. Then I started "hearing" the chatter about this topic in the chat rooms and decided to read it. In my honest opinion it was a complete waste of time. The first few posts actually had something to do with the original posting then it just turned into the usual "I am this" and "You are that" posting. It always seems to be the same people that hi jack threads and turn into their own little personal kingdom and domain. Why is it so hard to stick to the original posting? Why does someone always have to start questioning the others methods, professionalism, ethics, training or ideas on this job? When will you people actually start realising that we are in the same business, however we do not work according to the same protocols nor do we work according to the same set of rules. Freaking hell, this is supposed to be a site for adults and professionals to discuss issues relevant to the job.

True that is exactly how our generic duty cars are marked. ALS and critical care units however, are also clearly marked as such. It's really a matter of semantics. The use of the term paramedic is understood to be a generic term for EMS staff in BC. People understand that there are different levels of paramedic care but the extent of that understanding is limited. Personally I preferred the old titles in BC as it was very clear and simple to understand. EMA I (EMR), EMA II (PCP/EMT-A), EMA III (ACP/EMT-P). People didn't have any difficulty understanding that an EMA III was a higher level provider than an EMA II. While I agree we should all eventually move to use the same set of titles nationally, I'm going to have to side with Squint in saying that it's a bad idea to do it in Alberta right now. Due to the way EMS has developed in Alberta residents of said province have grown to understand that a "Paramedic" is an ALS provider. With the current AHS transition I expect that this move to transition titles is motivated by a desire to staff ambulances with lower level providers while still calling them "Paramedic" units. Because of the Alberta public's perception of what the word "Paramedic" means, this is a clear attempt to downgrade ambulances without public outcry. Ed

I wont rain on patch your business, if you cut me in for 20%

I think I have had this debate with you in the past as well Mobey, and I have to side with tniugs on this one. The change of title in this province is a bad idea. Its not a problem from my perspective, I could give a flying funk if we are called ACP or just good old paramedic. The thing that worries me, and worries me a lot is the reason behind the title change. I beleive that the public does know the difference between EMT and Paramedic, and that is an important distinction, because although he doesn't know exactly what the difference is he is aware that a paramedic can provide a higher level of care. So, when his loved ones are sick John Q Public feels secure knowing a Paramedic is in his community and will respond to his home when needed. Now, it is unlikely that he will pay enough attention to the certification of EMS to learn the distinction between Primary care and Advanced care paramedic. The magic in the title "paramedic" alone will soothe him and bask him in the light of its warm glow. He may even think Primary care Paramedic? What a great idea, the patient is their "primary care," in other words, the paramedic's "number one concern." Now, imagine a government run health service, taxed with the burden of finding creative ways to cut funding. They have promised not to degrade the level of service in EMS and maintain Paramedics throughout the province. How can they cut costs, but maintain paramedics? Simple, with a quick title change, they can hire more PCP's, pay them less, and guess what? Overnight, every single EMS attendent in Alberta is a paramedic! What a great and benevolent leader AHS will be. Of course there will be some bleating from the unions about the scam the govnt is playing on the people, warnings that people will die, facts and fiqures that show the difference between the two levels. AHS will respond by acusing the unions of greed and hypocracy, paint them as villians angling for a raise in a recessian. Some people may listen, but eventually the fighting will die down and the new titles will remain. Here is a good example of the publics perception of EMS in B.C. I was having dinner at the home of a colleauge who is a registered Alberta Paramedic (ACP). His father in law was visiting from B.C. and asked why we had such a backward EMS system where only some personell are paramedics and the rest are EMTS, because in B.C. everyone is a paramedic. My partner did his best to explain the difference between the PCP/ACP for about ten minutes, was met with a blank stare and the statement, "OK, but I think care is better in B.C. because we only have paramedics."

Eweness is a good chick.

I saw that, interesting idea. Why, you blokes were alwas gonna win it. Truth be told theres a south afican fella at work now, maked for some interesting conversations....... we pick on our resident Kiwi! No kidding, i got married, built a house heaps of stuff going on. Hey chick

Welcome to the forums. You stated an AAS in pre-PT, are you planning on a bachelors degree and then paramedic school? What are your ultimate end goals? I am a long time Flight Paramedic, and just finishing a double masters degree. IF I were your age again, I would do things a little differently for sure.... I am also a Pilot myself. ( Fixed Wing) What ratings do you hold? In a perfect world, I would graduate high school again, blow through a Bachelors degrees ASAFP, and then go fly Jets in the Air Force, or Apache's in the Army! I realized way too late that flying was a passion....Now, at the ripe old age of 36, sadly, I cannot qualify for a flying spot in the military..... Good Luck on your choices...Let me know if you have any questions I can answer... JW

Clearly I have dared to step on a senior poster's toes here. As with most forums, this one has a hierarchy, and most folks seem to defer to this person's expertise on every subject. I violated that protocol. As was noted, too many threads have dissolved into personal attacks and I sincerely apologize for my part in them, but when someone makes implications or inferences about my character or professionalism, I will not ignore them. This is a good place to learn and exchange ideas, but the drama and BS isn't worth it.

I really think it is time for this to drift off into the archives of the city... it's just gone down hill and emotions seem to be running high.

Unless you attributed the 'tired feeling' to a neurological deficit, which it certainly sounds that you didn't, I wouldn't have immobilized this pt. I just had a like conversation with my medical director after clearing several pts via NEXIS and then having the ER freak out and immobilize based simply on, in my opinion, "key words." As you mention, bicycle/auto, auto/telephone pole, ped/auto, etc. In EMS you certainly can't judge a book by it's cover. I asked my Medical director, "Does there come a point where getting along with our rural hospital is better for my pt than attempting to do more progressive medicine?" His reply was, "No, there doesn't. You explain your reasons for your choices, if they don't understand then educate them, if they still have issues they can complain to me. You, in no case, choose regressive medicine to make someone, anyone else happy." I wanted to kiss him on the mouth. Assuming this pt had no drugs/alcohol on board, was mentating properly, then I don't see any indication for immobilization. The words bike/automobile in the same sentence do not trump intelligent assessment. Not ever. Awesome question, and responses. Dwayne