GypsyMedic

A 22 year old firefighter who was shot and killed in St. Louis (Maplewood?) by a man who later burned his own house down. Shot two officers as well.

We demo'ed (i know, not an actual word) both the Stryker and Ferno power stretchers and settled on the Strykers, and I couldn't be happier! Indeed they are about fifty pounds heavier, but it's worth it. Our system here is both 911 and transfer and certainly have our share of obese people, so it's been a back saver through and through. In fact, we're the only ones in our area that has them, though other companies aren't far behind. Boston demo'ed them as well, but I heard they didn't like them. I can't fathom why. As for the stairchair, I like the Stryker over the Ferno for a variety of reasons and it's great going down, but makes going up more difficult. It's awkward to carry (I'm not that big) and doesn't work well going down any staircase that makes a turn. Personally, I perfer the older chairs. Again...LOVE LOVE LOVE the power stretchers!!

More coffee is always needed!! And I don't care who you are...that's funny. Even us girls can respect that one!

I had this happen to me just yesterday here in the Boston area. 64 yof whose bipap had stopped working. Just like that! She had an archaic setup for bagging, but family knew how to ventilate and she was fine. Had a bvm attached to a hose and then to a mouthpiece & she could blow off anything excess. Shot her over to the hospital & they threw her back on the bipap until she could get a new vent. I'd think education is key in such a situation, and perhaps a backup generator.

Hey! I had one of those last week! Lady was taking a nice walk and after five minutes felt funny and sat down. With us, she was pale, cool, diaphoretic and looked just awful. Started at a nice rate of 80 and three minutes later in the ambulance she was in the 40's. Straight to cath! Went very smoothly, which was great. Thanks for the posting! It's great to see other opinions and comments.

Phenomenol video. Absolutely loved it. Terribly jealous as well...I'd love to see the world like that. Someone want to loan me a few bucks?

Actually I had sent care packages to a friend of mine who was out there for some time and had a ton of fun putting them together! Super soakers are a great idea and I'm sure they wouldn't just use them on the kids! Can you post how to go about sending these general delivery? Or give a website? I'd love to be more involved. Thanks.

Dirt, you and I must go to the same hospitals! Had the same thing happen to me. Classic case, tried Atropine, didn't work, paced the patient and she was doing fantastic! Got her to the hospital and doctor waved his arms around & hollared we were shocking her too much and took the pads off. :shock: In the end, well...that was the end. Sometimes I hate going to "closest appropriate facility."

We actually have Sirius radio in our rigs and yes, been guilty of turning the volume up to ridiculous levels (adding to my hearing loss), but always making sure I can hear my radio. If it's during a response or there is a patient in the back, it needs to be kept down! Not only for the comfort of your patients, but for you and your partners safety.

I moved into the Boston area five years ago and never thought I would stay, so I never took the Boston test, though I have a lot of former coworkers who do work there. They've been there for years and though they've been a medic for my system, they are still basics on the other side of the river. I've heard that Boston has an amazing system and they're training is outstanding. My buddies have said they've learned so much more there than anywhere else they've been and the above is true, it's a constant learning process. There are many other private ambulance services, but know that if you work BLS, you will probably be doing a lot of transfers. It can be frustrating, but if you look at it as learning, you will do fine. Check into Cataldo or Professional if you want to get some decent experience before going to Boston. Fallon, Armstrong and Lifeline (among many, many others) are around as well and will primarily be doing transfers. Get ready for a paycut, though, because BLS doesn't make much! For a steady Monday through Friday 8-5 job, transfer only but a little better pay, go to Spaulding Ambulance. Boston is a pretty great city and everyone is right about the driving. I lived in Texas where they drive like complete maniacs and this place blows them way, WAY out of the water!! It's a confusing city to learn as well because it isn't on any sort of grid or pattern...very confusing and easy to get turned around. A few things to remember when you get here: never, ever look both ways before crossing as cars are watching out for you at all times. Using your blinker is a sign of frailty, and NO one is frail in Boston! Leave off all R's in any sentence, be sure to replace them any place else you so choose, making Law-Lawr...or Melissa-Melisser. You'll love it here, though. Very cool city & lots to do.

I've never heard of that, although I know your chances of getting on are increased. Out here, it's medics & vets that get to the top of the list the fastest (and hopefully a good test score).

We had a very large group discussion during rounds about two months ago when Fentanyl was brought into our system. Everyone else wants it, he just doesn't believe the benefits outweigh morphine. Good advice, though. I will certainly do some research of my own and pass it on. Maybe he hasn't looked into it thoroughly enough, as well as anyone else in the discussion.

OMG...single and thought that was hysterical!!!

Definitely pain management should be administered, but in my area, we can't give anything for any abdominal pain. Archaic, but still the case. I'd love to give up some Demerol for kidney stones, but we don't carry it. Only carry Morphine and our med director doesn't want Fentanyl. Anyone wanna talk him into it for us?