uglyEMT

Hey gang. Have a question for you all about a possible job I can apply for. The local ski resort is looking for EMTs to man their resort during the upcoming winter season. I have been an avid snowboarder for many years and have been to this place numerous times. I was just wondering if there are any pros or cons to working at a ski resort? Anyone have experience working at a resort? Just trying to get a feel for a job like this, if I should apply for a position. Not worried about pay as this would just be a side job for me anyways one of the perks is using the resort anytime free so it is an insentive but not the biggest thing.

Up my way in rural NJ our FD doesnt carry any medical. Our rigs are BLS w/ medics responding as needed from the area hospitals. FD does the heavy rescue stuff so they have all the toys to do that. Our BLS rigs carry everything else and we respond basically together on the rescues and fires but medical is only EMTs w/ FD assisting only for lifting. Our BLS rigs carry scoop stretcher, cot, jump bag, AED, portable suction, O2, OB kits, burn kits, 4 backboards, pedi boards, cpr boards, KEDs, spider straps, collars, splints, Reeves, stair chair, extrication suits, MCI bags, 8 line O2 setup, airways, epi pens, glucose, and all the other little things rigs need. Unfortunatly ALS is usually 20 to 30 minutes out due to our remote location (I know sounds wierd being from NJ but its true) so we rely on ourselves for the most part until we can meet up.

Congrats on the job man. Go have fum out there!

Congrats!!

I think the other poster was talking about intersections that have two emergency vehicles approaching at the same time. The white light is usually installed along with the Opticon system to let the user know wether its his/her unit that activated the green light thus allowing two different emergency vehicles aproach the same intersetion and to who has the true right of way. Honestly I would give way to the fire guys, their rig is bigger LOL:whistle:

OK pulse no gone. Fun times ahead Get that airway patent. No nasal airway so go oral. Being its a witnessed arrest go staright to the AED. Is it shockable? OK medical emergency declared already. Start the compressions have them bag. If they know CPR have them start you bag and be ready on the next cycle. Like I said I am BLS so drugs are out for me unless Med Control authorizes me. Go New Orleans, 45 is better than 1 hr. Have medics waiting. Honestly, in my opinion, I would have the stewardess ask if anyone knows CPR. Your going to need a few people on this one. What is the AED syaing? Is the rythem shockable yet? keep pumping and baggin its going to be a LOOOOOONG flight. as a side note: I did read you had epi. If med control allows me I would get the epi in it might help (if its an autoinjector even better for me, inside my SOP). I know about the other drugs as I have seen them pushed but again I am BLS so unless med cont authorizes it I am going nowhere near it.

Your welcome Florida. Seeing your last post, whats probably holding up things is the background check. Even with no criminal history it takes time. For example I give you myself. When i applied for my squad they needed a background check. I handed them my DHS card, my Waterfront card, and my Coast Guard clearence card. All of which are veted by the FBI and Federal Government, the DHS card is veted higher even. It still took alomst 2 weeks for the local LEOs to get my background check done. During which the DHS payed them a visit and asked why they wanted a check LOL All that for a volly job. So dont worry too much. Between all the folks applying and trying to get their tests done and all the background checks on all those folks its going to take time for HR or whoever does the checking to get through it all. Monday give them a call and inquire. Just ask about status thats all. As far as what throughs up red flags to me on backgrounds Ruff hit them on the head no need to repeat. Those are red flags not conditions not to hire, I would then begin the interviews witht he references, have the LEOs do a more extensive background check and bring you back in to explain. Your getting very good information here from alot of folks hope it calms your fears a little.

and dont forget you have an off the grid place to crash when it comes too

Let me take a stab at this from my holy crap Im only BLS perspective Slumps over? Get him on the floor preferably away from onlookers OK non ALS drugs? Is it asprin? If so have it on stand-by if we get him back and he can swallow. Have stewardess get the pads on him while I secure airway. Does he have a gag reflex? If so, nasal him. Get an O2 tank and start bagging him. Check for medic alert tags. Have stewardess see if he has a travel companion and also check for his carry on. While bagging ask the stewardess to see if anyone else, including flight crew, has CPR training, if we start it might be awhile. Have stewardess notify the pilot of the situation, see if he can divert to the nearest airport and have medics on stanby for arrival. Keep bagging, change O2 tank as necessary. Check pulse again, still there? Still at 30? Keep Bagging. until we hear the next phase I will sit here patiently awaiting info and keep baggin and switching tanks LOL

spenac I agreed with this question I guess at 6am reading other comments I had to wonder. I did give you a plus 1 for it so i really do agree. I understand what you are saying about proper exams and such. As for your example of the minor with chest pains. I wouldnt be removing her bra to do it. I can get all the things you stated but not have to expose the breast bear (I dont do 12 lead as I am only a basic) Plus at 16 I will be having a parental consent and witness during the whole thing anyways (including transport). The genital exam borders on over stepping unless as has been stated numerous times it is vital. Ruff brings up a good point. Just because it quote a proper exam doesnt mean the patient, nurse, social worker, ect will see it that way and then your headign for the lawyers office fighting for your liscense. Now before jumping the gun I am not saying I wouldnt do something because I would worry about my liscense if it was absolutly necessary. Dwayne did have a good male example, bloody hemroids, I am not going to ask the guy if i can see them. I will however ask him to stand up, if possible, and as I do a quick palpation of the pelvic region for associated pains I will definatly look at his clothing, if I see any hint of blood coming through the clothing I would be cutting lickity split. But if nothing is there and he has no other pain I will take his word its hemroids and get him to definative care to see a protologist. Here is my final conclusion, Yes technically it is a proper exam as defined by the term. Thats where the problem is, thats where I treat. Now for the real world, it would border on sexual misconduct or assult or battery depending on the lawyer if there is no other reason other than pain to be down there. This goes for male or females including the responder (female with female, male with male) It is a very slippery slope for no other fact then perception. Yes we are professionals, we dont look at it that way, its part of the exam, yada yada yada. Public perception is what the real world is based on. Thank you again for a very provacative question but one that needs to be discussed openly.

Another thing with references florida. I so far have only called references if something is questionable with the prospective hire. IE something on a background check pops up but from many years ago, two canidates for the same position one with less experience, see what i am getting at. Alot of times references are there just for an as if on the employment questionare. Just trying to help from a poistion inside thats all

It is with profound sadness and regret that the Broome Volunteer Emergency Squad and the Broome County Office of Emergency Services announce the line-of-duty death of Karen Hand, AEMT-CC. http://www.ems1.com/ems-news/889290-ny-ems-chief-dies-of-heart-attack-on-the-job/

Ok I just want to make sure I have the time line correct. Monday was the tests. 24 to 48hrs for drug results puts it at Wednesday, mailing takes 24 to 48hrs so that puts us today or Friday and thats just for the drug test, physical is roughly the same. I am the guy on my squad that recives the backgrounds and tests results and stuff, I can tell you sometimes they just take longer to get where they need to go. Then also dont forget after the results come in the hiring person still makes a last review before the phone calls go out. As you stated its a tough job market and everything does look good so hopefully it works out and its just a timeline thing. Wait till Monday, give them that. If nothing then call for a status report. Keep it cordual and Im sure you will get the answer you are looking for.

No problem fakingpatients. I know there are always exceptions to the rules. I havent had many female in distress patients so my knowlege base is limited, I digress. Thankfully most of my squad is female and the crew I ride with I am the only male so usually in those situations I am a gopher anyways. I think Dwayne said it the best about recognizing the S&S and treating from there. As a professional courtesy while on duty yesterday I asked my Captain, an ER Doc, and a Medic friend and all said the same thing. HECK NO! Unless its absolutly vital (ie pregnancy, miscariage, hemmorage, ect) by NO MEANS should we expose a patient's genitalia. Thanks for the thinking question even though it now seems like a loaded one. I am glad you got me thinking about this and what would happen if i come across this situation. I will use sound judgment, assess the S&S, take good vitals and if all lead me to believe its not life threatening the cloths stay on, I document clearly the pain and radiation, give a good assessment to the ER and hand over to definitive care.

Good thinking question!! +1 1 I would check with your local protocols on the issue. I know in my area if we are going trauma naked we are supposed to leave underware on. Babies are a different protocol of course. Vaginal bleeding it says to apply a trauma dressing or a femine pad and apply pressure. Only time a finger should be inserted into a female is if we have a prolapsed cord and its for the babies survival or if the sac hasnt ruptured and we need to break it. Nowhere does it say to examine by removing clothing unless absolutly necessary. 2 If in doubt contact medical control! If I call ahead and the med control doc says yes visually examine then I will DOCUMENT DOCUMENT DOCUMENT and with proper tact and all manners of professionalism do the examination. 3 If I had to do it and it wasnt life threatening I would ask for a female officer or EMS (bls or als depending on your system) to be present to witness. I would also try and do it in the rig unless we are in the patients own residence. 4 Patient consent with DOCUMENTATION as far as what has been discussed, if the patient is really bleeding badly it would show through clothing thus no worries, cut and expose and stop the bleeding. I do believe if the patient called us for pain in their genitalia then it would have to be pretty bad and I dont forsee them holding back information. I guess in the end it would be up to your own judgment if it would be necessary but I would definatly not go outside protocols and if its a grey area in your protocols I would conact med control.

Want to hear soemthing funny? Here in NJ we have been using it over a year LOL The ALS rigs have them but I have seen it used once for a PE patient. I dont know if the medics just dont want to use them or maybe they feel its unnecessary but they have them if they want to use it. I guess as more and more new medics come through school, if the school had them using them, it will get used more. Just like at the BLS level we were taught BGL yet the older EMTs on my squad years ago were not I take a BGL on all my patients yet the others just do the other vitals and skip the BGL. As times change we adapt I guess.

Glad to hear your OK!! YES!!! Go packs, jump kits, disaster kits, whatever you want to call them are essential. Most folks think that in a time of disaster you will be able to organize yourself. By that time its too late. I actually have 4 made up. One in each car, in case I am not home, one in my home and one at a friends house in a different state. That way if we have to leave our area I am already set with an alternate location. Also have a disaster plan made up with your family and an out of town friend that way you all know what to do and who to contact. As far as supplies in the kit Water!!! Water!!! Water!!! The average person needs one gallon per day just for drinking, elderly, ill or pregnant persons need more (close to 3 gallons) also if there is a medical emergency you may need extra water. Hot climates will also add to the water need. Food. MREs are great 3 squares a day per person and it has enough calories in them to keep your energy level up. If MREs are not in your kit, canned food (remeber a manual can opener) is also good. Try and keep the basic food groups in there so your diet is balanced and your calorie intake stays elevated for energy. Dont forget some comfort food candy bars always come in handy. First aid supplies. Well I wont go into much detail here, heck this is an EMS website LOL we probably carry enough to outfit a BLS rig anyways Cloths, Bedding and Sanitary supplies. A change of cloths per person also footware. Dont forget the warm cloths in cool climates and loose cloths in the warmer climates. Footware I would suggest boots for everyone, dont want to be walking around debris in flip flops or plain sneakers. Bedding.. get a yoga mat or camping bed roll. Rolls up nice and tight as not to take up to much room and helps on the hard ground so you can sleep. Blankets and a pillow, I would suggest a blow up travel pillow that way you can deflate and not take up alot of room when not needed. Sanitary supplies, toilet paper is always nice, females dont forget your supplies as well, bleach for disinfection routines and a good all purpose household cleaner comes in handy. Remember to get none scented bleach, 2 drops of bleach to water will disinfect it and make it safe to drink! Hand sanitizer and / or waterless hand soap is also a must to keep yourself clean and stop the spread of diseases such as disintery. If you can get a bucket with a tight fitting lid.. I will let you figure out what for Tools. Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils , Emergency preparedness manual , Portable, battery-operated radio or television and extra batteries, Flashlight and extra batteries, Cash or traveler's checks, change, Nonelectric can opener, utility knife, Fire extinguisher: small canister, ABC type, Tube tent, Pliers, Tape, Compass, Matches in a waterproof container, Aluminum foil, Plastic storage containers, Signal flare (you would be surprised how handy they are), Paper, pencil, Needles, thread, Medicine dropper, Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water, Whistle, Plastic sheeting, Map of the area (for locating shelters Medications. DONT FOGET THESE!!! make sure you have medications in the kit, no not your medicine cabnit ones, get some and put them in the kit. Ask your doctor, some will write a script for disaster kit supplies that doesnt affect your normal perscription size and / or refills. Dont forget the baby supplies if necessary. Formula will require extra water so be prepared there and adjust as necessary. Documents. These are always good to have. When I am not traveling my passport is kept in my kit. Driver liscense is also good to have (if you have one) You can also go to your local DMV and get a photo ID. It is good to keep in the kit for government identification purposes, also aids in filing claims afterwards if you can verify who you are LOL All other important documents you have should be kept readily available if not in a safe deposit box somewhere. Nothing worse then trying to rebuild your life from the ruins and also having to prove everything. As I mentioned earlier have an out of town or state contact. If you have to evacuate its a good place to be. If your seperated from family its a contact person to relay messages through. Its a person less likely to be affected by the disaster thus is reliable. It never hurts to have more than one. HAVE A PLAN!! All this stuff is great to have and carry but if you and your family dont have a plan already in place chaos can overwhelmed and then its useless. Hope this helps folks that didnt know where to start with a kit. Remember also if you live somewhere where disaster is likely to happen your kit will be more complex possibly then someone where one may not happen. The stuff I outlined up top is a basic kit that FEMA has outlined and when I say basic I mean bare minimum, I wouldn't take anything away personally.

A few things. First Welcome to EMTCity!! Hope we can help. If you havent looked around yet and read some threads just want to give you a heads up. We dont sugar coat things here, we let you know how it really is. Next on to the topic at hand. I would get my CPR certification while you wait to start class. Around my area the classes want you to have it before class starts so I would check with the class and find out. Next I would as others posted start learnign your patients meds, what they are for and also patient history and how it relates. As an EMT-B you will be a tool in aiding your patients. Your knowledge will help with the differentials. As an example.... a patient calls you for feeling ill (thats it nothing else) you get there and start on the history and get really nowhere except upset stomach, tired, generally crappy feeling. You ask about meds and the patient hands you a bag filled with bottles. If you know what the pills are for you can get a better handle on why this person might be feeling ill. Just remeber as an EMT you do not diagnose you treat the symptoms and help the patient until definitive care is reached. You will learn alot more when class teaches you about this stuff and what it all means but I would say being your already in an environment where this knowledge can be used daily I would soak it up.

Dont know why anyone would give you a minus for that but anyways +1 from me. EXACTLY!!! If you think volly will suck then please dont do it. You will only be doing a disservice to your patients. If your heart isnt there then your attitude will be subpar as well and make the whole experience bad. Now if you want to gain experience while going through medic school and have the heart for volly work then I say go for it. The connections, experience, comrodery(sp) will be well worth the lack of a paycheck. Being only 19 it will be hard getting on as a driver, I know most providers in my area ask for 21+ drivers, heck my squad is 25. Plus clean driving records the whole time beforehand plus EVOC training. I would do what others have said, if you really want to be in the EMS field, and go to medic school. The job oppertunities will be greater for youy as a medic vs a basic. Hope your search goes well and you find the right course or action.

I would like to add a little insight if I may to help the OP. I went through a similar situation at my day job. A truck driver went into a seizure and everyone went batty. I walked over and simply check for an airway and stood by him until the seizing stopped. Protected his head with my hands as there was a pole pretty close by. All the while everyone was screaming to do something. Sometimes there is nothing to do but observe. Seizures usually stop on their own and the patient comes out of it. Usually fuzzy or aggitated but after awhile comes around and usually doesnt remeber. No worries next time. Just protect them from hurting themseleves and watch the airway, they WONT swallow thier tongue but watch to make sure if they bit it or their cheeck the blood doesnt block the airway. If they are bleeding simply roll them on their side if possible and let it drain out. As Dwain pointed out, why try comprssions when they are breathing? It probably was your coping mechanism at that point but remeber next time that if they are breathing NO compressions. No here is a bit of knowledge that may help you next time around. if the patient really isnt breathing and has no pulse they ARE dead, you cant kill them anymore BUT you can HELP them. Get the AED, start compressions, have someone dial 911, follow the AEDs instructions. Sometimes you get lucky and everything falls into place and the stars align and the CPR saves the day, sometimes it doesnt. You didnt KILL the person, you tried to SAVE the person. Don't worry over it too much. Try a ride along with a squad, most palces do, see if you would like it. If you want to take a course other then CPR but dont (after ride along) want to volunteer they do have first responder courses. Usually a little more indepth then standard CPR but less then a full blown EMT-Basic course. As for the AED in your place of business, its money well spent. Even if it helps just once it paid for itself, whats the price nowadays for a human life? We are here to help, sometimes its tough love, but none-the-less we are here for you.

Good luck to the both of you Came to the right place to ask for help if needed. Remeber the only dumb question is the one never asked.

While I am not a medic I am a basic but think I can help a little. When I first came out of basic school and got on my bus I was a nervous wreck. I mean sweating through my cloths nervous. I think I actually paniced patients because of it. I thought I would never get any better but as I went on more calls, sat with more patients I got calmer. I think experience has alot to do with it BUT I also feel SELF confidence has more to do with it. I am now confident in myself that I can do things. I know my ABCs, I know to keep an airway, I am getting better at my BPs (ok onscene I hear them clearly, on the road not so much, but getting better at it). As long as I remember that ABC is the most important thing I feel calmer. Without ABC nothing is going to change. Thats what it took for me, NOT looking at everything and feeling overwhelmed. Basics... if I dont have an airway nothing changes, if I dont have breathing nothing changes, if I dont have circulation nothing changes. OK I have all that.. now lets see what can be done. As someone else posted when all else fails you sink to your level of training. Just keep practicing and training and when the time comes it will be second nature and wont feel overwhelming. Are there going to be calls that will scare you to death, yes. I have seen great, calm, cool, collected medics look all doe eyed in my rig when a call goes south but what made them great was that they took that split second, took a breath and started with what they knew best and went from there. It will get better and just remeber to treat your patient, remeber the basics, and when all else fails take a breath and go from what you know best. Hope my little tidbit from basic land helps.