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Hey all didn't really know where else to put this so if I am in the wrong place if the mods can please move it Ok so for my EMT class I need to wear dark navy blue EMT pants (part of our class uniform) so I was wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction for a decent priced yet still good quality pair? I've checked amazon and a few other places but they tend to kind of have the same stuff but not sure of the brands. So I figured I'd ask the men and women who are in the field and use them now. All so I need to get a pocket mask so any info on the ones that are on amazon? I'm pretty sure it doesn't have to be top of the line but I at least want to make sure it's not gonna fall apart on me lol. Scott.

And the fact that it's ok to cheat on a spanish test but it's not ok to cheat on an ems test or some stuff like that. MariB and Mike both summed other items up pretty well. I would suggest you go back and look at his most recent posts and make up your own mind before you really completely defend him. I know you will do that and i"m not calling you out for not having done so (does that make sense?) but he really made a poor performance mark for himself in the past couple of weeks here.

Remembered a set of twins, age 3, I took to the ER. On a later call, I asked the doctor about them... "How is the child who swallowed some of a coin collection?" "No change yet." "And the one swallowed the roll of film?" "Nothing has developed."

For nursing, the CNA is a reality check. Some will spend over 2 years on a waiting list for a nursing program and then run away screaming once they get in. They had visions of big money and didn't get the message about all the patients and responsibility. That then leaves a vacancy which could have been filled by someone who really was wanting to be a nurse for the patient side of it. The CNA also covers many of the basics which that time can then be used for other education. I have read and heard some nursing students complaining about repetition and lots of boring stuff with very little action. They also spent too much time watching medical soap operas and TV shows. The EMT might get more excited especially when you give a 19 y/o a uniform, big ambulance, lights, sirens and the ability to speed. The length of the program is also a good comparison. There are still some in nursing who see no need to get the BSN even though the profession is rapidly reaching the 50% mark for higher degreed and employers are preferring it. Their short cut is the ADN or the private school Associates. Until it is mandatory, no amount of preaching will change the mind of some since the minimum standards are still too low for nursing when compared to other countries. I think EMS is seeing this also. If you can do the same things with 6 months of training and education, some might say more time is not useful.

I agree with you. But it is sometimes difficult to know exactly what someone is thinking especially if English and writing are not their strong points. Some might want to come across as eager but could also be mistaken for being a slacker if they want something fast. This generation is also a "me right now" one and they want instant gratification. Different cultures (not necessarily foreign in origin) and different generations can influence the interpretation of the written word. We spend hours in school trying to interpret what someone is getting at and the same in our careers as we try to get through all the research. There are now RN programs which require the CNA since that world has become so competitive.

When it comes to a $2000 course I think of the flashy ads on TV for entry level careers. Those schools probably everything but most of the profit goes for advertising and the owners of the schools. I believe community colleges can also offer quality education for a certificate at much less and have more resources. The state community colleges will usually be accredited and transfer of credit will not be a problem if you take additional classes. The teachers may also be required to have at least an Associates degree in something related to that profession while a private vocational school may only require the instructor to hold the same certificate level. For example, the CNA program at the college will have an RN with a minimum of a BSN and at least 2 years experience going over to the CNA program to teach while also teaching some classes in the RN program. The private vocational school will have an RN or LPN overseeing the program but may not be doing the actual teaching. I also know an RN who is also an EMT and teaches at a volunteer squad. For the length of time, if more than 6 or 8 hours per week is too much for a student to handle, that would mean all the Associates degree programs should take over 8 years to complete. Even high school students have more time each day in a classroom. Some have also taken the EMT course while in high school while taking other courses. I really don't think time should be a barrier especially for a vocational class. Some people try to get entry level job training because of being laid off or they need to support themselves for whatever reason. Some think it is also bad because many do take the course because it is a requirement for the fire department application. I also know many who rush through additional certs or testing just for the sake of having the letters to apply for a CCT or Flight job and don't really have all the experience necessary.

Just don't sing the queen song in earshot of the patients family. Might give the wrong impression.

@paramedicmike Thank you for your honest opinion I definitely didn't think about it like that. You are definitely right it is new to me and the only EMS experience I have to go on so far is what I've heard from others and the ride along I did with my local FD. I am planning on becoming a volunteer to my local FD soon and I will all so have to do a working ride along with my local ambulance company and do a working shift at my local hospital so I will hopefully find out soon enough if I enjoy EMS (crossing my fingers because I love everything else about it so far). I definitely agree there are TONS of awesome toys and gear out there for EMS. I definitely think I may be getting caught in the shock and awe of things. So again I thank you for slowing my thought process down and making me think about my future purchases for this.

"57 yo, male, in sitting position c/o coughing and spitting up copious amounts of thick yellow secretions. Pt is looking gray. mother states he had surgery a month ago. coughed up blood and a piece of metal two days ago. Pt appears weak." well Im not saying he's healthy. but this isn't really so bad..... because.... He's sitting, that's good. he's coughing, that's good, looks grey, (but sitting) not so bad, the surgery was a month ago, not bad, the coughing up of a piece of metal was 2 days ago ( if it even really happened at all, senior citizen's story is not always reliable ), that's not bad... what the pt really needs is a doctor. so if he survived the last 48 hours after the metal cough, he can do 10 more minutes on the way to the hospital.

Do you actually work in EMS????????? For real? You MIGHT call ahead? Dear lord. The point of scenarios is to talk through patient care actions and critically think about the presenting patient, not just say well transport and maybe give the receiving hospital they are about to get a very critical patient that will likely need an OR prepped and ready.... Seriously dude.