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

Quick... memorize as much as you can in this region. Borders of the area where calls are being taken is the 710 freeway to the west, San Clemente to the South, and the North-West to South East mountain area (basically that swath at the top that isn't built). Now I'm not going to tell you whether I'm going to put your unit in Long Beach, Whittier, Anaheim, or San Clemete (or anywhere else in this area). Additionally, while you may start off in one part in the morning, you might end up in an entirely different area in the afternoon. Oh, and since this area is memorizable, you can't have any maps or GPS (to be fair, I prefer maps over GPA anyways). http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=33.67864,-117.869568&spn=0.571398,1.234589&t=h&z=10 Personally, I'd settle for the hospitals (around 40 all in all), major facilities (SNFs, etc), and the freeway system.

I usually put like 50 cents then what I currently make, alot of online apps you cant put "negotiable", you have to put an amount.

I don't think GPS is the best also, a Pittsbugh paramedic was showing me a call address and the "cross streets" on the MDT map they have last saturday which is based off of GPS, the address he was given was actually 2 blocks from where the"blip" on the map showed it and the one cross street was 5 miles away! It was nowhere near the street! The good thing is this was his district and he knew where to go, I made the comment to pull out the good ole map book! This is not the first time this has happened to the city. We have had trucks get lost at work taking patients to and from places because the GPS was way off. I'll use good ole Rand McNally anyday!

Do not take this wrong; however, if you are not aware of good airway resources such as the Ron Walls manual, yuo may not have had much exposure to this area. You stated it was only touched upon in school, yet you will be performing these techniques at your service? The important questions to ask yourself are: 1) Does my service have a comprehensive programme that covers RSI? 2) will I have OR time? 3) do they recommend a specific book for their course and what it is? 4) Will I have extensive, dynamic airway lab scenarios with SIM man and or cadaver exercises? 5) Is a comprehensive QA/QI programme in place? 6) Are there mandatory refresher courses every quarter or so and a minimum number of tubes required along with repeat OR time? 7) Is the proper equipment available such as back up airways, waveform capnography, bougies and so on? I hope that helps, I would hate to see you set up to fail. RSI is one of the few times where we are given a golden opportunity for a clean kill. Good luck. Take care, chbare.

Come on you guys can do better then that wheres dusty and phil when you need them. Here's my best ' The fire went out despite their best efforts' I swear I about blew a gasket about the remote control one though.

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

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 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?

Eh, Basic question... Does the pain radiate anywhere? What does V4R show? Posterior V7,V8,V9 show any depression, Elevation? LBBB new for this PT?, ACS maybe, With Timeline, Transmural Infarct maybe, Myocarditis... Maybe. Cardiac packet labs. CPk-MB^, Troponin^, BUN/Creatine^, Potassium^, WBC^? Syncopal episodes? Febrile? Pupils equal/reactive? H/A? Tinnitus? Blurred vision? Paresthesia? Any HX of AMS in recent hours? I disagree with FL_Medic on Paramedics interpreting 12 Leads. If you, Or your Medics have issues with 12 Leads in your area, Then maybe y'all should reevaluate your curriculum. Why would you even consider not doing a 12 Lead with a 3,4,5 lead showing ectopy? ECG Interpretation in the field is huge in our area with our Medical Directors and receiving facilities. And yes... I said diagnose and treat for the people about to jump all over that. Maybe we just have good training, And know what were doing? Don't mean to sound arrogant.

Does this mean Dust needs a life?

Even more reason to have ALS on every ambulance. This is exactly what we're talking about. You shouldn't have to "work with what you have". Time to come into the '80's and have paramedics on all ambulances. It may hurt some people's feelings, but whatever. It is supposed to be about the patient. If a provider doesn't want to step up a few levels then step aside.

Medicine is a team effort dependent upon the individual competencies of the practitioners. Yes, you must be the absolute best practitioner you can be and assume full responsibility for all of your decisions and treatments... but no, you are not the end all be all of medicine for this particular patient. As PREhospital providers, we work within a larger picture. In the field we must be autonomous and make all necessary decisions for the patient's well being. The second we enter the hospital, we must integrate into the team in order to continue providing the best care possible for the patient. We can't just say OK, now it's the nurse's responsibility to figure it all out... we share information and enter the dialogue for a reason. I personally think that people who enjoy team-building exercises benefit from that sort of learning environment. After all.. you're going to be in class with these people for two years. You might as well start learning how to get along with them. Will it make them better medical providers? If it creates a more positive learning environment in which people can blow off steam and study in healthy proportions, then absolutely. There are far too many practitioners who see only the individual pieces... and miss the whole... and medical schools are starting to give preference to candidates who are well rounded, rather than illustrious bookworms who can regurgitate biochemical processes at the drop of a hat. Wendy CO EMT-B

Mistakes happen. Vanity addresses- buildings with special numbering that honor the company or builder can be confusing. New subdivisions spring up and are not listed on any map. Missing signs, poor lighting, bad or incomplete info from callers, 3rd party calls- there are a million reasons why things like this can happen. As was mentioned, the best way to avoid these problems is to be familiar with your area. Do REGULAR area familiarization- keep an eye on new developments, buildings, new streets, road closings, etc. It's as much a part of your job as your medical knowledge- you can't help someone unless you reach them in a timely fashion. For those of us old timers who started long before GPS, ONSTAR, and AVL's, we needed to learn where hospitals were at, nursing homes, the numbering system of the city, major landmarks and tourist attractions. Then, when you were assigned an area you needed to learn details specific to your district- dead ends, one way streets, cul de sacs, new buildings, alternate routes in case of road closures. Depending on your system- if you live in a large area, you can also easily travel great distances when call volume is high, so the more you learn, the better off you will be. It takes time, effort, and experience (just as with the patient care aspect of your job) is critical to being an effective, PROFESSIONAL provider.

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.

Robot lost Dust already posted. http://www.emtcity.com/index.php/topic/18370-fl-firemonkeys-attempt-to-go-around-medical-director/page__pid__241366__st__0&#entry241366

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.

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

Voted. thanks

Thanks a lot guys...this is going to be a friggin' blood bath...I can't wait! I have until Saturday, so I could use more ideas if you've got 'em....(Not sure yet what time Wendy...) Have a great day all! Dwayne

So, when I started at my current job I became quickly unpopular because of my outspoken feelings regarding fire v EMS and the local volunteer system. Over that last year or so I've repaired many of those relationships and work great will most of them. (Though of course there are a few that will cry forever about comments made in passing, but screw em. But, based on this history I've been asked to sit in the charity dunk tank. It's a fund used to sends vollys that have shown at least a years true commitment to the community to EMTB school at the local college. I've warned my boss that this is going to cause a shit storm, as I'm unwilling to let people stand back and throw things at me for free, and he's accepted responsibility for any fallout that may come from my 'charity work.' So, what I need is volly/fire jokes/insults that will get them to spend their money to see me get dunked. None of this will be mean spirited on my part, I don't want to hurt feelings, only poke people with verbal sticks until they get mad enough to spend their money... Any help you all can give will be appreciated and help turn another first responder into another basic. Dwayne