dahlio

interesting, never thought the corporate world would search such things. makes me wonder who else has seen mine...

Now as cool as all that is, why would you bother to spend that much money on lights? One light is fine, two and you're a whacker. More than two, you're trying to look like someone you're not. We're not cops, and we don't need that many lights. It's a nice convience to have one light, but people who have more than one light seem to be more in to responding lights and sirens rather than patient care. Now that I've finished ranting... I've also heard Signal has some good LED lights.

Well JPINFV, that's not all that accurate. What about JEMS 2 in New Jersey, you know, when you call the hospital five minutes out? If you really needed a doctor, I'm sure the receiving hospital would try and get someone to assist but to say there's none? True, all medications the EMT-B in NJ are standing orders, but they are still technically under the supervision of a doctor.

I think the biggest concern is personal saftey. How many people honestly strap themselves in during a transport? And even if you had them on, how could you work on a patient. This might sound over the top, and it probably is since I'm saying it. What if we wore harnesses around our waist, and it attached to the roof of the ambulance, so that you can stand up if you had to, and that way you're still strapped in. (yes, its a bit extreme, but i am extreme)

Thanks for the advice, I'll definitely bring it up to the squad.

In my squad, we have three Hortons. Two of which are on Frieghtliners (biggest mistake ever made), years 99, and 02. The recent one we bought is an 05 on an F450 chassis. I've liked using the boxes, and don't find them all that confusing. That aside, our newest rig has cameras in the patient compartment, as well as a camera for the back. Automatically puts a small screen in your rear view mirror. They lasted for a couple months, and when we called the company, the wanted a good amount of money to fix the wires. Yeah right. We're currently looking into a new ambulance, built probably on a GMC chassis, but we're looking in to other boxes such as PL. We're also not getting the camera option, and no tire chains (which came in handy a couple times this year). My opinion is to move away from the Horton's and give something else a try.

Anyone ever hear of a Hybrid Ambulance anyway? And I mean one that's used on runs, not just a prototype.

My Squad has all Horton boxes. I've never had a problem, but we have considered other companys for the new ambulance we're getting... From another local squad, they told me they have Braun's, and are not happy with them. Then again, this is what I'm used to.

Now I was taught that it's all personal preference. I like using the same side, but I have seen some of our instructors do both. It would probably be really undercomfortable for male patients to criss cross, but then again, the KED is already uncomfortable as it is.

Next step I would take is to get a set of vitals. That'll give you some idea of whats going on.

In NJ here, we have a good relationship with hospitals as far as linen goes. Take as much, leave as much. Many times I've put new linens on, that weren't even from the hospital we were at. As far as O2 goes and all, we over stock on things like that. When we bring in someone that is board and collared, we get them back within a few days, and they usually get picked up whenever the next crew goes to the hospital. The nice part is that they are nice and clean, and they have good systems to easily check if we left equipment. It's also a shame to see a squad's backboard lying there, and the're 45 minutes away, and probably went to the hospital once, since a nearby one is a trauma center. They'll probably never see that board again.

Yes, I believe Stryker is releasing that model within the next month....

It's funny to look at all these posts, and realize most of you guys are paid. As a vol., I carry the following -A Pen (on a good day) -Personal Cell Phone -Radio/Pager -Extra Pair of Gloves -Watch with a Sweep Hand Everything else is carried in the jump kit, so no need to carry that on me. Never found anything else useful. Plus, being on a volley squad, there's like 20 of us on a call, and someone always has something we need.

I personally believe that you need to be able to lift a good amount of weight. There are definitly patients that require more help than others. A good solution I believe is the Stryker Power-Pro. I've used it, and it works well. At about 100 pounds (only 19 pounds heavier then the MX-Pro), and a weight limit of 750 lbs (100lbs over the limit of the MX-Pro), it's a better solution to those who can't afford that nice lift. This cot might even go well with this lift, since you could raise the stretcher to roll them to the ambulance, and then lower them to the ramp. This way, you're not putting strain on your back, and the stretcher does all the work. Just my two cents...

Anyone know what the deal is with NJ EMT-B tests? From what I hear, it's now a state exam, but I don't know whether I can use it for transfering to other states since it's not the NREMT. Does anyone know if the NREMT, is pretty much the same test as the NJ state exam? Thanks in advance...

Well, take it from a Jerseyian himself. Some ALS units do have transport units however, most in NJ have SUV's. It does not take another paramedic to drive it. Many times in my volly squad, has an EMT-B driven the paramedic unit, so that they could have two paramedics. In a case like this, a police officer, which responds to pretty much every call, can also drive the ALS unit, whether it's an Ambulance or an SUV. Although some ALS units do have Ambulances, they very rarely transport in them. They usually have BLS take care of that. I would have thought there would be an issue of liability when someone else is driving the ALS unit, (since this is NJ, and unfortunately not everyone respects the Ambulance's right away) but my crew chief said there isn't much of an issue. Once again, just my two cents.

This is a hell of a subject. My squad just had a call this past week. Originally called, "Possible Drug Overdose". Went there to find ALS and 2 cops inside. Restraining her and all, ALS had found nothing bad (vital wise), and it turned out she had been drinking all day. Cop's kept restraining her, which was hard because of a broken arm, which happened while trying to commit suicide a week prior. Eventually, we got her on to a Reeves, which was later to be found broken, and she was restrained with cravats, as well as arm and leg cuffs. On the way to the hospital, I wondered to myself, is this really EMS's call? All we're doing is restraining, didn't even take vitals, although the paramedics did. I thought to myself later that night. I believe it is EMS's to transport such patients. We were dispatched, and ultimately we were responsible for her well being. If they had transported via cop car, and she became unstable, it would have been deemed negligence on our part. I believe an Ambulance is the way to go. Just my 2 cents....

yeah, i did hook up with a squad, who is paying for my emt-b classes....thanks

thanks again for all the responses. I've been reading the 10th? version of brady's, and I think they came out with a newer one, but was talking to someone at the first aid squad, and they said there was minimal diff. Really Anxious to start, thanks again.

thanks, appreciate the fast responses.

Hi, I'm looking for some feedback (Obviously, since I'm on a forum). I'm starting my EMT-B training here in New Jersey in January. I was wondering if you think it was dumb for me to already be studying some of the book. I borrowed an EMT-B book from a friend, and started writing note cards. Here in New Jersey, the state exam is actually the National Registry exam, and this book covers it. So even if it's not the same book as the one I'll get in January, it should still be giving me information about the National Registry. Just wondering if anyone thought this could hurt in any way? Or for any reason was dumb? I'm specifically focusing on the Ant./Phys. parts since theres a lot of those. Thanks.. -dahlio

I know the local Central Jersey Chapter of ARC is changing all courses to the new CPR routine in Jan. 07

I'm a 17 year old, and I think your statement is complete garbage. First of all, how else are you going to learn? There are more mature 17 year olds out there then you think. Second off, he wasn't the senior EMT on that crew, and there was someone there to back him off if something did go wrong, but who says it will? He was trained and passed an exam that is far from easy. Don't think 17, not reliable. On the issue of ALS, I know New Jersey has a guideline to follow about when to call ALS. You can find that here http://www.state.nj.us/health/ems/adlttrig.htm I Personally think there was no need to call ALS on this call, just because he was out of it. There are other signs of a stroke. One more thing I'd like to add, is that being young, and not being the most experienced, I take criticism well, and learn from it. I'm not cocky when it comes to that stuff, and you shouldn't be making generalizations.

I took the ICS 100 and NIMS 700 last month, and my squad accepted them.