maverick56

Wow, just came back to this thread. Didn't think anyone had posted in it. I appreciate the bits of input from some of you, thanks. And wow, crotchity, I am really glad I don't know you in person because I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to keep myself from kicking your ass. I can't help but wonder, do you just get a kick out of stirring shit up and pissing people off online? Or are you actually that ignorant? If so, man, I feel sorry for you. "PSTD is weaklings who are looking for a way out." Wow, just wow. I don't even know how to respond to that. Actually, I don't think it's really worth responding to.

PM

LOL yeah we do. And I never said MI has mountains! Faaaar from it lol. I've spent a couple seasons in the Rockies, I do know the difference. There is some decent backcountry in the UP though, just short.

National Ski Patrol is a national volunteer organization with local patrols serving as volunteer first responders on the hill. Pro patrollers at larger mountains are all at least EMT-B, with most at big resorts being paramedics with a great deal of extra wilderness, mountaineering and avalanche training. Most professional patrollers don't have much respect for NSP members skill-wise, but they serve a great purpose, are good at what they do, and have enough skill to handle day to day issues on local hills. And "queen of the acronym"? LOL, gee thanks. I actually can be really bad about it sometimes myself, find myself often using Army/military vernacular talking to people at work, forgetting that I'm dealing with civilians until they give me that blank look, haha. Then I remember to translate.

OEC is Outdoor Emergency Care, offered through the National Ski Patrol. And to the OP,I have been taken that course, years ago before getting into EMS. It doesn't give really give you all that much "wilderness" training, it's basically a medical first responder course with a few extra skills like chair lift evacuation, boot and helmet removal, and some more info on environmental emergencies (mostly winter, aka hypothermia, frostbite). Not much in the way of alternative techniques/backcountry stuff - it assumes you are with an established patrol with basic equipment. Anything like mountaineering/orienteering, avalanche SAR and survival, and other backcountry stuff are extra certification courses through NSP. So, NO, I would not say that OEC + EMT-B = WEMT and the OEC course would be waste of time if you are not planning on being on a patrol somewhere, not going to teach you a thing and they tend to be waaay too intense about it for the level of care actually taught.

Ok, let's clear some things up. Army medics are ALL trained at EMT-B in AIT (advanced individual training, the school for your job after basic). Passing national registry is a requirement of graduation, this has been the case for many years now. CEUs have always been available, but depending on the unit and deployment schedule, not a priority. In my case, my certification lapsed because I had to spend my available time in schools like airborne and air assault and prepping for deployment. However, as of 2007, maintaining CEUs is required for promotion, so people getting out should all have at least NREMT-B. Depending on unit, mission etc, obtaining NREMT-P is possible and works great towards promotion points. In fact, for flight medics and warrant officers, it is required. Now, understand that, like the Navy, "medics" are all technically under an umbrella title of Healthcare Specialist, all starting at the same school with EMT-B and then specializing as straight field/combat medics, pharmacy techs, hospital medics (like CNA), xray, nutrition, etc. Some go on to LPN school. So training starts to vary drastically very quickly. Field medics like myself are trained to start IVs, push meds, intubate, suture, etc, many paramedic hand-skills. The initial training of a field medic is 16 weeks, but could be up to 68 weeks for other sub-specialties. In that initial training, obviously there is not a lot of time to get deep into the medicine and why's of the skills being taught. The emphasis is on confidence, speed, accuracy and doing it all in a tactical environment. On the job training after this initial schooling and opportunities for more advanced training are where those aspects come in. As some have said, not all medics are created equal. So much varies on assignment/attachment, that unit's mission and leadership. A medic in a medical support battalion, say working in a clinic stateside and field hospital in theater, has a very different job from someone like me, attached to an infantry unit. Soldiers facing combat wounds become masters of trauma while others assist PAs and run daily sick call, becoming masters of general medicine and VD. As a former field medic of the purest form who has now been thru paramedic school, I can say that skill wise, I was beyond equivalent to civilian medics. Knowledge wise, there were definite holes in my base - don't see too many middle-aged cardiac patients or diabetics in combat. However, what I did know, I knew very very well and I did have a strong overall base. Also, my critical thinking skills, scene management, leadership ability, problem solving and overall confidence well surpassed my civilian classmates (as noted by my instructors, hospital staff and senior medics on internship). So, I wouldn't call any of my experience a disadvantage. And I have known a lot of Army flight medics and spec ops medics who are extremely well-educated, at least at the paramedic level. You definitely can't lump all of us who fall under the name "medic" together. As far as medics having trouble getting jobs when they get out, depends on when that was. The newest medics will be the most prepared as far as civilian certification, with maintenance being required for promotion and CEUs part of routine training. (I had to re-take EMT-B before I could go to paramedic school, which was very frustrating and BORING.) Are they ready to jump right on an ambulance? I'd say, depends on their background specialty/assignment. In my opinion, probably the most easily transitioned would be the aid station medics. Though used to working with docs and PAs, they are pretty independent, used to having more equipment and working in an intense, face paced emergency atmosphere. Straight field medics (me) are used to working solo, sometimes in groups of 2-3, and carrying everything they need on their person. Very good at handling pressure and critical thought, but lots to get used to when it comes to broader diagnostic and treatment options. And while used to fast pace/high intensity, combat is a much much different atmosphere than any non-tactical civilian application. Once at the aid station, the major enemy threat is over. Overall though, probably the biggest advantage military medics, particularly those who work in combat environments, have - the ability to quickly adapt and absorb new information. It's a necessary skill for survival and we have it down. CLS is Combat Life Saver, basically the MFRs of the Army. Medics train and certify combat soldiers to do splinting, wound management, basic airways and to start IVs so they can be extra hands on the ground. Pure hand-skills vs medical knowledge, but they're great to have around, the more the merrier. To say that Army medics are just CLS trained is not right (see my other post). As for the AF, couldn't tell ya what gets yelled, lol, they don't have much in the way of field situations where it would matter. The closest relative to a combat medic would be Pararescue, they are all medically trained and badass. On base, there are Emergency Management techs who create and maintain disaster plans and various clinical techs in hospitals. The actual day-to-day emergency medical on an Air Force base is actually covered by civilian EMS. http://www.airforce.com/careers/#health-and-medicine

Heroes to Hometowns: When veterans come home

PTSD AWARENESS DAY IS A REMINDER TO LEARN, GET HELP AND HELP OTHERS Today (June 27) is officially National PTSD Awareness Day. The day was enacted by Congress last year with prodding by the VA and various veterans groups. Although it's roots come from combat veterans, I think it's a good opportunity for everyone to take a look at what it is, how it effects people, and what can be done about it. It's an important topic, particularly for those of us working in public safety, to address and understand. As a combat veteran now working in EMS, I am curious how people in the EMS community, you, approach the topic? What do you know about it? What does your system/company do to address issues? Is there a stigma associated with it? Coming from a military background, though there is much better information out there now, many service members are still in the dark about signs/symptoms and where to go for help before their first deployment (encountering trauma). I know that even as a medic, I knew very little, other than that there were combat stress counselors available. And there could be a fear of being labeled or thought weak, especially while still in theater. What I'm wondering is, is this an issue where you are? Do you know what to watch for? If you were having trouble after a call/incident, would you seek help? Would you do so through your chain of command? The other thing I am curious about, more concerning myself I guess, is, if you have dealt with any incident stress or even PTSD, how do you find it affecting your job? Just getting going here as a civilian medic, I haven't seen anything that's even made me flinch yet, but I can't help be a little nervous that someday I will have a call that will trigger a flashback or something. It's hard to explain, I know that I am in just the right job for me, but I can't help but worry that maybe my military experiences could hurt my ability to do that job, that I'll freeze up at the wrong time. Does anyone else ever get that doubt? What do you do about it? I mean, I know what I am capable of. I know the situations in which I was able to maintain and do my job downrange when it matter the most. But... I don't know, maybe it's different now? I thrive under pressure and live for the rush, even danger... but I've also been know to hit the deck and roll under the nearest truck with a sudden crack of good thunder. So yeah, thoughts, ideas, strategies, jokes? Whatever you've got. I've put a lot of work into the last year to be proactive in helping myself, I'd like to see what people have coming from the civilian side. Thanks.