firedoc5

At first I was wondering which Superior Ambulance they were talking about. But now I see it's in the MAT state. I've heard so many pros & cons of volly services that even though it might sound bad, but I've got to be a bit apathetic about it. Paid or volly, as long as they are there to help and their skills are adequate, I don't care. The services I have worked for had at one time used chains on their wheels, but for some reason stopped using them before I started working there. Actually my hat's off to all those who have been dedicated in the field for a non-specific number of years. Paid or volly they have all sacrificed things in one way or another. But when they brag on how many hours they've put in "training" is where I sort of draw the line. Ruff is completely right. The public have no idea the value of hours. It seems like it's only the volly's that get "credit" when it's mentioned how many hours are spent. If the general public found out how many hours that some of us actually get per week, they'd be astounded. But I guess if you are paid or a volly that responds to a LOT of calls, it doesn't matter. Off my little soap box now.

Poiint well taken. Sorry. "Take it Easy" - Eagles

I guess it takes all types, :roll:

I don't have all the psych lingo and terminology. That was my first wife's area. She was a counselor for adolescence. But from what I've picked up in the field, from her, from family, church, and personal experiences, I hope I can help. It was actually my grandfather that gave me the advice that has always stuck in my head. "Suicide is just a permanent solution to a temporary problem." It took me a couple of years of maturing for that to sink in. Then, like a like a lightbulb, I understood it. Even though I've been out of the field actively for a while, over the last 25 yrs. I've been on countless suicides and / or attempts. For those that actually want to do it they won't say anything to anyone. Most of the time they are the one's that you would least expect. You might think think that they are weird or if you can really notice, troubled. It is very hard to tell. But then you have "the callers" (as mentioned before). Yes, they can become annoying and you think, "Oh NO, Not again." Especially the tenth time in four weeks situations. But you need to look at and treat them physically and psychologically. Don't just "load and go" Talk to them some. You may get some of the Boo-Hoo stories, but at least try to listen and understand. I've noticed that sometimes, when it comes to "callers" they may eventually do it. The numerous times that you have on them and they feel as if no one is taking their problems seriously, they may just do it, sort of like saying, "I told you so.", almost feeling as if you were daring them to do it. We had one guy, who was an "on again/ off again" volunteer fireman. Occasionally he'd booze up, start calling people, then call 911. After he hung up he'd then take the pills. He know that by the time EMS got there the pills would not have taken full effect. we wondered if he got a kick out of having an NAG Tube inserted. But once he gave the wrong address. We had no idea where he was. (This was before Enhanced 911). Luckily one of the nurses he had called to whine and bawl & squall to had heard over the scanner that we couldn't find "Buzzy" (Nick name, long story) She had the presence of mind to do a "call back" on her phone. He gave her the right address. It was a very close call. Another ten or twenty minutes and he'd would have done it. What Iamb getting at is no matter how many time you have "callers" threatening, take it seriously. Nine times out of 10 it will probably the same thing. But it just takes one SNAFU in the system that could be detrimental to the out come. I had always talked with Buzzy, but not one on one with him boozed up, I could call him a friend, which he didn't have many of. About a year later I moved to LA and about two years later I met up with my best friend from the dept. who had made Asst. Chief at the time, we had lunch. We were catching up on different guys. He told me Buzzy died. The first thing I thought was that he went ahead and "did it". But Jimmy informed me that Buzzy cleaned up, and even got married. As long as I knew him I had never known he ever had a date. But it was a AMI that got him. Without trying to sound like a "Jesus Freak" (a term used by a few members here). Plain and simple God and Christ is the answer. Talk to a Minister you are comfortable with. If one doesn't seem to help, then try another. I'll warn you now, you won't like everything they may say.You may hear things you don't want to here, especially if they are being honest. I know some don't believe in Heaven or Hell, but know one thing. Suicide is a "mortal sin". If you die, how are you going to ask for forgiveness? [That is the thought that comes to me when Iamb that despaired. And believe me, losing my first wife destroyed me. Many times those thoughts came in my head. I tried the drinking scene (which getting out of was one of the smartest things I did). Unfortunately I did get into a "self destructive mode" where I didn't care what happen to me. I got out of that mode, but I am addicted to cigarettes now. One of the worst regrets in my life. And yes, reading the Bible and praying not just thinking things in your head, has helped me tremendously since I was about 17. I full and whole heartily agree with Dust Devil. CIST should be used. No professional psychs or therapists, just only, and only peers. Talking to your peers and those with many more years in the field can help greatly. "Debriefings are essential to learn and to let you know you are not alone in a lot of your minds. Just one thing. What is said in a debriefing (CIST) STAYS in CIST! But if someone is exhibiting substantial personality or behavior changes, please have them see a professional. Not just for them, but for their agency,. I'm sorry I made this much longer than I intended to. To me this is a special issue to me.

"Two Out of Three Ain't Bad"- Meatloaf *Just a side note. I noticed on a movie credit as Meatloaf Aday. I know his name is Marvin Aday, but in all his previous movies he was simply billed as "Meatloaf"

I must agree with your last statement, Matt. People knowing that it's going to hurt is going to be more apprehensible. Hence, almost hightening the pain sensation. I've worked with too many burn patients and I've seen it done slowly and I've seen it done fast. In my observation it was inconclusive which worked better. I think it depends on the person themselves. Some are very fearful to feel pain, some are like, "Bring it on! I can handle it."

Depends on who's parents have the shot gun. :violent3:

You really know how to make a guy feel old. :clock:

"Lonesome Loser" - Little River Band

I guessed I should have mentioned that it wasn't an EMS field job. It was acually making car horns. Great place to work with a migraine.

OUTSTANDING, Matt. Proud of you. An easy way I remembered as a rookie about bradycardic PVC's is that there is an "irritation", which is dthe ventrical is trying to fire but there is connection with the atria (for whatever reason). I know that sounds really stupid but that is how it was first explained to us. We actually looked at the nurse telling us this with our mouths wide open.

If the patient is secure to the full spine board you can open up the KED if necessary. I've had to do it a half a dozen times or so. Just as long as your patient is secure one way or another the KED can be moved. One thing to do is practice this in class over and over again. KED is one of those things that some people are intimidated by with all the straps and some may think that it's something that's no big thing. After a couple of times of hands on practical they will both change their minds. And it is a skill that has to be developed, especially if it's done right and in a optimal amount of time.

We had a gal busted from a surprise piss test. Evidently she'd been taking "Fast-Ens" to loose weight. What's funny was I was taking hydrocodone for a kidney stone that had been bouncing around. I just showed them the bottle and that it was my script and they said it was no problem. I guess if the gal told them up front she was taking them it would have been all right. But I think in all, there were 23 that got popped. Of course it was the night after a concert. It was either Aerosmith or Alice Cooper, I can't remember which. Half the shift went.

25 yrs. ago today I made my first ambulance run. Wow, how time drags.

Thank God I'm not Catholic. (No offense to those who are)

I know a repeat, but ya gotta love it...."Squeeze Box" - The Who

Faking, almost always faking. BTW: I can tell the difference.

A chiauauh (sp?), Pick me, pick me, I never get to go!

So when "size doesn't matter", how come some woman I've dated didn't have any intention of "making a home run" until we are totally undressed? I've always used the cliche' since I'm not that tall, "I didn't waste my hormones growing tall." But I do respect woman that do say no. And my entire life I knew that NO meant NO. Disappointing, yes, but you feel better in the long run. (or at least for me)

They're everywhere. Any place that is public, that's one of the first places they go. (p!sses me off

It's hard to believe that I made my first official ambulance call 25 yrs. ago on this day. The day before my 18th birthday, the state gave me the one day. In nine days it will be 25 yrs. when I ran my fist code.

Well, Wendy. I was going to say that if you were a poser, send me a few pics of your best poses, but.. Seriously, and I mean very seriously. You are NOT a poser. You might be an EMT-B (with many extras). Between your additional education, your experience in the field, what you've learned from us here, you are head and shoulders above the rest. Some of my best crews was with a EMT-A (Basic) with much of the same knowledge that you have and I myself as Paramedic. And with you wanting to advance in your education, that's the perfect way to go about. Learn from your Paramedic partner and the experiences in the field, and the classes you are planning on taking. Don't worry about the lifting tests. Just remember, it's not just strength. It's also balance and leverage. You can do with one arm tied behind your back. (pardon the pun) And being bold, speaking for all of us here at the City, we're proud of you. :wav: Let us know how it goes.

Best of luck to you, Bro. You'll be missed. Sometimes you feel like you need to move on and see what else is out there. Expand your horizons, Experience life. But my money is on that within a year you'll be itching to get back. Congrats on getting married. She must be some kind of gal. And with the time off you'll have more time to do more family stuff, which I know you'll enjoy especially with the little one. Don't be a stranger around here. Pop in every now and then and say HI. And send pictures. Have fun.

I'd been in this situation a number of times. Granted, never had someone head-butt that back of a rig before. What was he trying to do? Was he wanting to be transported in that particular rig and not the other and tried to get in? Usually with someone running around drunk like that we'd let him run around in circles as long as he didn't run off. It was usually the police that would get tired of it and manhandle him and escort him into the back of the rig. After all the running they'd be too tired to resist us while assessing him. And I guarantee you, unless he was ready to lay down, he would refuse a flat lay especially on a board. With him doing a "header", just note it properly and also verbally pass it on to the ER staff. Sure, everyone there could have tackled him, forced him on a board with c-collar and restrained him. But that would have just complicated things a lot more. And as far a "race relations", it would have made the news of how this poor defenseless black man was mobbed, cuffed and stuffed. As far as using it as a training aid, I just see it as showing what you could run against eventually in the field.

Many times the PVC's are due to the brady. Increasing HR will tend to alleviate the PVC's.