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I work in one of the top 10 busiest ambulances in the nation. In a horrible part of town. If people are going buckwild on the ambo you know what I do? Call the cops and drive away. Or throw the body in the ambo and drive away. I wouldnt even waste time with pepper spray. I carry a knife....mainly as a tool, but for a last resort self defense. Yes, my partner and I have had to tussle. It's a fact. Carrying all that shit just gets in the way. 99.999999999% of the time they love seeing us on scene. Even the retard ghetto thugs will carry a jump bag for me if I ask. 100 hours of combat training. Would love to see you get dropped off in my ambo with this attitude. However---whatever you like to do right? Your preference bro. More power to ya.

Hi everyone! I am a 27 year old female EMT, just starting my paramedic course. Other than my EMT training, I have no prior EMS experience, and my current job is nowhere near the medical profession. I am slowly trying to make the transition and get to where I want to be, and it would be helpful to surround myself with fellow EMS providers who can share their experiences since I have none of my own as of yet. I look forward to talking with some of you and becoming more confident in my chosen career path. : )

I think you are taking me completely wrong... I am definitely ignorant about what all is available and where to exactly to start. I have not stated anywhere that I am completely opposed to any type of formal education. In my original post I ended it by stating, "I joined here to learn as much as I can and to help get me pointed in the right direction for good civilian training." Maybe jumping straight into a EMT class IS the best way to go. I don't know and trying to learn. I guess I was thinking I needed to start crawling before I start running wif da big dogs! You would be surprised about how BASIC we got back then. Its was basically unwrap this bandage, stick on the injury and apply pressure and YELL "CORPSMAN UP!!!" Oh, yeah, then there was the constant back and forth about if it is good or bad to use a tourniquet... We were never issued tourniquets. They tought us to use a web belt from the injured Marine or even communication cable. Nobody ever knew definitively and it just depended who was teaching the class. I am sure its alot better now since there is ALOT more experience to pass around. Seems like they have a good procedure now and a CAT is standard issue. Everyone was pretty "green" with regards to actual combat experience during the 1st Gulf War. I don't know why you are preoccupied with bags Dwayne. I only mentioned the kits I have and described my intentions with them only when someone asked . I didn't show off a contents list or brag about them. Heh, they are really nothing to brag about. One was given to me with a little damage (M3 medic bag) that I was able to repair with a little stitching and the backpack is a cheapo OD green "medical" backpack I won by designing a logo for a internet store. Believe me, it is not high speed... neither am I anymore. =) You believe I am headed in the wrong direction. Believe me, I am not headed in any direction right at the moment. I am still trying to figure out which direction to go. I will listen. Why you want to make it seem like I am belittling you or anybody here is beyond me. I am here to gain knowledge which helps remedy my ignorance. Keep the negative name calling to yourself and please don't include me in it. I am here to learn, hence why I used the term "sponge". I am just not understanding the hostility. But I do appreciate any knowledge I can learn. Even if it is learning exactly what class I need to start out with. I believe in this whole-heartedly. There is wisdom in the 7 Ps... Proper Prior Practice Prevents Piss Poor Performance ( it aint mine, I learned from from listening to someone else) But I first need to learn PROPERLY.... A statement like that just seems arrogant and belittling... And truth is I can use a shovel, its definitely not underneath my station in life. Nah, chatting on the Internetz is not going to get my panties in a wad... I am laid back kinda guy trying to state my intentions without getting dragged into keyboard battles. Your right, it would be a shame if someone got all bunched up over some advice... Tell me more about the EMT B class. Is this something that can be done while working a full time job at the same time? I do??? Dwayne, I am specifically here BECAUSE I don't have a plan. I am here for guidance. Please forgive my ignorance. I am not stupid, but completely ignorant on my path in regards to learning The problem is I feel like I told someone I would like to drag-race but the people I'm talking too are telling me to jump straight in with both feet and get a $200,000 race car or just forget even trying. I have a full-time job and any training I take has to fit around that. I am not opposed to any training as you try to make it appear. But at the moment I don't have the time to start school... I appreciate your thanks but the young Marines (and Corpsman) out there right now are the ones who have earned our appreciation. I spent time in the desert but will be the first to say what I did was a ginger-bread cakewalk compared to what they are doing now. I always make a point to thank them and shake their hands. Now, tell me more about this EMT B class you mentioned... Thanks, LB

One interesting point, or at least it seems to to me as I've not looked it up in several years and can't remember how valid it is... Only twice I used Amiodarone, even after we began carrying it I used Lidocaine only because I was more comfortable with it. But the first time I used it the ER doc lectured me, kindly, saying that it was the lesser choice because it crossed all of the cardiac drug classes and made in hospital management more difficult unless it was continued as opposed to switching to other more appropriate choices that had been queered by it's use. I have no idea of the validity of this argument, though the next time I used it I delivered my patient to the same doc and got the same lecture. The few times I've needed to choose since I've used Lidocaine based on that. Simple and foolish I know..but there you have it... Dwayne

I just spat tea all over my keyboard.

On my person: Pocket knife. Wallet Wedding ring. In my vehicle: Spare water Extra windshield washer fluid Spare tire Dwayne