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Welcome Sheri. Rather unfortunate your introduction to the place was a number of armchair quarterbacks/backseat drivers. I hope you'll give the city a second chance and take the opportunity to look around while you're here. Ed

First of all I was on duty working as a first response that day, I wasn't off duty although I don't think my actions would change. 2nd I didn't put any bystander in danger. There were many people that stopped and wanted to help. I gave one a fire extinguisher and told him to direct it at the engine, in hopes that it wouldn't spread. He was a few feet away. The drivers compartment wasnt engulfed but was filling with smoke. 3rd The fire dept was at a different fire, so the one coming to this call was 10 mins away. Hope this helps for all you Mon morning quarterbacks out there that have the advantage of not being put in that situation but feel it's ok to judge others. ? To everyone else, thanks for your support. P.S. I never did it for the recognition, nor did I want it but it was nice to get a thank you from the unconscious driver later in the day. Sheri

Ask questions. Be open to what you're told. Relax because, if you're stressed over your ride time, you'll make more mistakes. Do expect some flubs. Write your class reports while the crew writes their reports, and don't be afraid to ask them questions or to read over because crews do that in some places and it'll help you learn to write a good report.

go in with an open mind Ask in advance what they want you to do Ask what they will allow you to do ask many many questions make sure you help them with cleanup and changing cots DO NOT spend most of your time flirting with the nurses, talking or texting or playing games on yoru phone. Youare there to learn and not to text or talk on your phone. If I as a FTO/evaluator had my wish and ruled the world, I would not students to carry their cell phones on them when they were doing ride alongs or I would put them in the lock boxes and I would only allow them out during breaks and lunch. Bring your field guide or some book to let the medic know you are serious about learning. Do not offer to buy them lunch or dinner, that would set a bad precedent that you would be held to on your next ride and your next and again and again. You are there to learn, not to buy the crew food. I'm sure that there will be other stuff that others will add.

Again Melvin R, I was not busting your balls or criticizing you, I was just asking why you were questioning the manufacturers numbers. Here is what I would do I would contact a number of manufacturers of IV solutions and ask them the exact same question and see what answers you get. Then take the numbers you get and develop a range that your system is comfortable with. It seems like your system is operating out of the safe operating range. So that's what I would do. But one caveat, you run the risk of running into trouble and legal issues if you heat the fluid of let's say Baxters fluid to higher than what Baxter says is recommended for their fluid based on let's say "medtronics" numbers. So if you heat baxters fluids to medtronics numbers of 114 degrees yet baxters numbers are 108 degrees and you use medtronics numbers, then you run legal and medical risks. Does that make sense. My opinion is to only warm your fluid to your suppliers recommended temperatures and no higher. I'm sure your risk management team would say the same thing.