firedoc5

If it wasn't for the blood and "hamburger" appearance I might have guessed epiglottitis. I would consider the esophageal varices also. Any emesis around on the ground, especially bloody emesis? I wonder if esophageal varices with vomiting could cause the esophagus to prolapse into the throat. I don't think so, but it's something I just thought of.

I've had a few partners that were real joke tellers. If we knew someone was faking, we'd start telling jokes and they would wind up cracking up. You'd see them just barely cracking a smile and doing their best not to laugh.

The one Chief I was under at one time could never pass the Captain's test as a Lieutenant. He took it like five times. The Chief at the time sort of helped him get around it. He was made him the Maintenance Officer, which later on opened the door for him to become Assistant Chief. At that time Assistant Chief was an appointment so there was no test. And when the Chief retired, guess who slid into the job. So we had a Chief that wasn't bright enough to pass a lower office position, and at times show that lack of intelligence. But he had an ego and self righteousness to think he was Fire Marshall of the United States. Talk about a power trip.

"I Saw the Light" - Hank Williams, Sr.

If he starts in again, just smile at him and thank him for his kind words and words of wisdom that all should hear and live by. :blackeye:

I just love it when someone asks a patient, "Does it hurt bad?" and the answer is, "Well, it doesn't' hurt good." I've actually used that on a Urologist when I a kidney stone. Luckily he was a friend of mine. I told him he set himself up for that one.

I've never heard of bevel down. But I won't knock it. If it works, it works. Most of the time you learn the basics of starting an IV, then you sort of develop your own technique. Whatever works best for you. I don't think the nurse should have started the "discussion" in front of the patient. But sometimes they don't stop and think about that. But next time, if it happens, ask the nurse to step out with you to another room or at least out of earshot of the patient. And if you do, don't start talking loud enough for the patient to hear you. Just some words of wisdom from someone who learned that a long, long time ago.

Naw, I think skull & cross bones are kewl. I don't' have a problem with it. And I don't think anyone here would. Now at one time we had someone with a user's name of Bloodbath here. It wasn't a problem, it was just enquired about how they thought it up.

I can feel for you with the kidney stones. I stopped counting at 12. But I definitely can't take Torodol. IM I get red streaks and the injection site swells and becomes red and I get real sick. PO just tears my stomach up and abdomen cramps. But I agree that there are too many people that claim they are "allergic" to it because they can't get high on it. It becomes a problem with those who can't take it. So when I am offered it I tell them about it, but I don't ask for anything in particular. If I did it would make it sound like I'm drug seeking. That's the difference between those who are and those who are not actually allergic to it. And I can't take aspirin either. I'm tempted to list my allergies here and describe the reactions I get, but I don't know if anyone would be particularly interested.

Still hoping and praying for Cheeky and the baby. Thanx for keeping us posted, Milly.

Speaking of odd things being stolen, we had a crew make a transfer to Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. When they were taking the patient in they disconnected him from the LifePak 5 since they really didn't need it. When they came back out it was gone. Stolen right out of the ambulance bay. A few months later a lady called 911 with chest pain. When the St. Louis Medics got there they had their LP 5. She looked at it and said that she had one of those in her closet. And sure enough, there it was. She said it was her grandson's. Can you say busted?The police just sort of hung around for about an hour when he came home. There was no damage but of course the batteries were dead. But just think what could have happened if he had somehow charged the paddles and tried it on someone.

"Shooting Star" - Bad Co.

Amen.

Great that you are wanting to advance. Like Jake said, opinions of a time table to start your Paramedic classes vary here. Personally, I would like to see someone get at least a year in the field for experience and to be very proficiant in all Basic skills. While doing so consider taking some additional classes that can prepare you for the Paramedic class. Take your time. You'll be a Paramedic in due time. Practical experience and common sense will take you a long way. As for hospital vs. college programs, my basic class was through a community college. My EMT-I and Paramedic classes were through a hospital but was taught by a college and got college credit for it. I'd try to find a Paramedic class that will help you get a lot of clinical experience and college credit if at all possible.

I believe I made a point on another thread that is relevant here, so I'll bring it up. Now this is just for argument sake and not an opinion and food for thought. Way back when AED's were first being used, actually still in a trial stage, it was argued that with early defibrillation without ALS could be detrimental. If a patient was defibed and did actually convert without ALS to give anti-dysrhythmic meds such as Lidocaine, Bretillium, or Procainamide, they could revert back into fibrilation. In turn they would have to be defibbed again, probably numerous times. It was said that the extra shocks could cause more damage to the cardiac muscle than CPR alone. So, would it be better to do CPR only until ALS arrived or would it be better to defib someone numerous times without ALS hoping they would convert. Over the years I've heard all kinds of opinions and arguments for both. It's still a sore subject in some systems. And I know the computers of today are much improved over the first AED's. But still, do you want to fully rely on a computer? I know that there are still a lot of Medics out there that still have the idea in the back of their minds that you can't fully trust a gizmo and leave out the human element. I know there are manual over-rides, but in the hands of civilians or someone who doesn't know anything about ECG interpretation they have no choice but to trust the computer. Sometimes that's scary to me.

Soon as you detect it, decompress it.

I know, I'm so ashamed. :sad1:

I've been asked that same question several times by new EMT's. But I was always hesitant to answer with too much detail. I was afraid I'd discourage some and would drop out. But I think almost everything I would say has already been said.

We'd get several people call 911 to get weather info if a storm was coming. We just told them to watch the Weather Channel.

"One Toke Over the Line Sweet Jesus" - Brewer & Shipley

Someone let their arresting powers go to their head. :bs:

Very good point, Rich. Also when "Medicine A" is a prescription med and "Medicine B" is an OTC med that they had just picked up off the shelf and didn't read the info, it can be concluded by the patient that they are "allergic" to it. When in matter of fact that if they took either one and not the other they'll be fine with it. I don't know how many times I've seen it. That's why I've always stress to Basics the importance of knowing a patient's allergies and meds, including any or all OTC meds.

Actually, yea. I grew up in a pool hall. I mean a real pool hall. With the tar paper and tile floors. And had real pool tables, not the ones that you put quarters in. There would be anywhere from 5-7 pinball machines. And they had bells, not electronic noises. Ah, those were the days. :toothy7:

No kidding. I've seen a few Spaces where it was like a whole production from Hollywood. Why?

Heart sounds can lead you to detect any kind of pericardial problems. One thing on listening for heart sounds/ tones is that you have to listen to many, many in a clinical setting. You have to learn from listening to them over and over again. I was very fortunate that I had an ER doc and a Pulmonologist take me under their wings. I'd say it took more than three months before I felt I knew them sufficiently enough to take it to the field. I hope everyone will take the time to learn them. It was very beneficial.