spenac

There used to be a woman missing almost the entire left leg that worked on the ambulance in Mexico. When they brought patients to the bridge she helped lift and move patients, she would prepare to lift by adjusting crutch position. Hard worker. She learned to work with the situation, never heard the males that worked with her say anything bad and we do spend time visiting at the port of entry while patients papers are checked. I transported her to hospital in USA and haven't seen her in a long time. Guess point is it can be done, she did not have prosthetic just 1 leg and her crutches.

Good post. Read information out loud, write it out as mentioned ( color code based on drug family ), have someone quiz you using your cards. All these methods help it sink in as your hearing it, seeing it, speaking it, recalling it, etc. You may want to record the info and replay it instead of tunes going down the highway but don't neglect the other methods. The more senses involved the better the retention. Lots of work but worth it if you're going to be worth anything as a Paramedic.

Thanks Dale. I am gathering ideas for next ambulance and everyones input is appreciated.

Thanks Dale. I am gathering ideas for next ambulance and everyones input is appreciated.

Insurance companys have something kinda like a credit file where they have info on any claims you've filed and your rating plays part in if will insure and the costs.

I use it when have mild asthma. Works similar to theophylline, in fact if patient on theophylline is heavy coffee drinker (caffeine) may actually go beyond beneficial levels and become toxic. In the field our basics treat astma with albuterol or duoneb via neb by written protocol so no need to give them coffee.

In west Texas where cost of living is low compared to most many services start basics around $10 hour, up till 4 years ago probably wasn't even the minimum. All levels in several services worked to get pay above fast food and we're working to go higher for all levels at both services I work with.

ECA and EMT-B free at volunteer dept. As a paid EMT my EMT-I $1500 + books and travel. EMT-P $1800 + books and travel ( the I course used Paramedic books so not really much more expense for books ) My big expense was travel as no course within 200 miles of home ( hotels, meals, gas, time away from work ).

Thats scary. Even the TV teaches the public that to have a chance a person needs AED or other means to shock in the first few minutes. Hey you just pulled a code on a dead 2005 post.

Get this book for the class Nancy Caroline's Emergency Care in the Streets, Sixth Edition American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), Nancy L. Caroline. Released early march like it better than current MOSBY or BRADY. If you can afford all of them get them. It is beneficial to use more than one text in your studys, the way one words something may help you understand better than the other. Another great book well really the cd that comes with it is Basic Arrhythmias by Gail Walraven.

Our system is badly abused, but I was really enjoying this month as hadn't really had any complete BS until yesterday I was brought back to reality nothing but BS. Thankfully as previously mentioned we do have in place the right to deny some patients, limited but better than nothing. Public needs to be educated, but I guess they have because as someone else mentioned they have learned what to say to get a lights and sirens response when in reality they need to take some aspirin and go to bed. We find a lot of patients call with one problem usually serious then we get there they say something else usually minor. But if they want the 90 mile trip to the hospital they will keep giving lots of symptoms that would only be true with MODS but we have to take them just to see a miracle as they leave the hospital before we do.

To add to Shane's comment learn the ins and outs of shock and how it affects each system (nervous system, cardiac system, endocrine system, respiratory system, etc). Dig deep, if you understand shock you'll be ahead of the ballgame. Remember shock is the cause of all death in one form or the other, even so called instant death. Shock is where paramedics make the greatest impact either good or bad.

I think we should be able to deny transport but that was discussed on another post. But if we have to take everyone why not be able to require payment upfront for the expensive taxi ride, or at least a deposit. Most people file all bills for ambulance in the round file that goes to the landfill, at least in my area not even willing to send $5 month. I actually have had the hospital tell us that the patient would have to prepay for ER to be seen, then had patient ask us to take them to the store instead, needless to say patient did not ride my ambulance. Hey have we taken over the UK? Just wondering how us yanks are on here.

Your right some people should not. The law excludes them from purchasing but sadly some stores fail to do proper checks and for stores that do there is also the problem that not all legal info goes to one database. I have always found it hard to understand that in less than 30 seconds a person can know my entire credit history, where I have lived, etc, yet my local law enforcement can only get limited info without pulling teeth. After 9-11 there was talk about sharing info but it still seems each agency refuses to share info. And I feel that involuntary mental confinement should show up even if I get stopped for no seat belt. Why can't we have a criminal rating kinda like a credit score and then store owners slide your card and it says approved or refused. But even with all that if a person wants a gun and are refused they'll buy one on the street. Most firearms crimes are committed with illegally obtained guns. Gun control is knowing that your bullet goes where you intend it. But as others have said we need to forget this debate and instead allow the familys time to heal. Your view and my view are not important, we all need to unite to express love and concern for their losses.

These were already posted in the past month.

Trucks are only Paramedic I think, but last I heard they do hire EMT basics for about $35,000 year as dispatchers and after a year would help you with education costs to go Paramedic. They do have a lengthy academy that you attend during probation that you must pass to stay hired. If I remember right Paramedics were about $45000 year starting. Never worked for them. I hear some good and bad about them just like most services. As far as Texas EMS it's up to each services Medical Director as to what you're allowed to do. I'm in very rural area and even basics are allowed to do alot. Some services basics can't scratch there butts without calling medical control. Paramedics here have a large scope of practice, but again not to far away if they want to wipe a kids nose they need medical controls permission it seems. Don't know which Austin has. Hope this helps and keep in mind as Dust said pay may seem low but no state income tax and many small towns rent is cheap, but Austin is probably most expensive city in Texas.

"1. Introduce self to patient and bystanders" That might take a while large group shaking hands names etc. Ok I get it you introduce by saying the best EMT ever is here not get the h... out of the way. Right. Cool catch you later.

Vitals, including BGL and pupils.

We're dispatched by the sheriffs dept here and they have now EMD training. If they receive call for ambulance it is forwarded to us and we get details from patient, location and roll. If we're already out they get some basic info and relay it to us and if we're able we call person back, if we're rolling to hospital we have them call our mutual aid an hour away. About the only info they give patients is don't move trauma patients. I do not see them over the phone really being able to do much more. Even when we're there with the patient sometimes it's hard to get the whole story. My .02.

You should talk to EMS personnel at the services in the area. They will probably know of any services that are putting on classes. They may even be willing to tell you starting wages. You might even want to see if any will allow ride outs so you can get a taste of EMS before you start classes. If all else fails for the course check out www.techproservices.net, great education but for skills and final exam would require some travel.

In my time in EMS the only transfers I did came when doing clinicals in a big city. Many services don't do transfers. Many rural areas you don't do transfers but in my case transports of 911 patients to nearest hospital is 90 miles longer than most services transfers. I personally do not see doing transfers for a living but I have respect for those that choose it. To each his own but lets work together to make ours a profession with many specialtys like other medical professions.

Definitly encourage transport. When refused CYA by documenting the daylights out of how many times you and the other medics encouraged her to go and any possible bad things you warned her could happen if not treated.

Thats great will show our supplier and see if he can get the manufacture to consider doing a lift similiar. Thanks for your help.

I hope you can work it out and get started. You may need to look at www.techproservices.net as an option. Great course if you're motivated. Tougher course than many on campus programs I've seen. For those that disagree with online education, not going to fight with you. Some of the ones that disagree with online education for EMS have been in favor of online for nursing, makes no sense. I say if you find a course that provides great eduction for your method of learning take it and ignore the haters. :banghead: