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Sorry 'bout this, but I have to make the comment about already having a fire hose in my pants!!

So, Dust I've been meaning to ask for a while what you were doing with the AK..... I know you hate wankers and whackers (not always the same thing over here) but shooting is a bit harsh!

Thanks for all the replies.The job I currently have is to drive a Doctor out on house calls in marked car. Sometimes we get called to accident scenes or more frequently we come across them when we're out. I've heard that the Drivers are being told that under no circumstances can they exit the vehicle (at mva's) to assist the Doctor. This would include getting equipment from the car etc. I want to make the argument that it is probably as much of a danger to remain in the vehicle as there is a very real danger of the vehicle being struck. We are usually the last service to arrive and would be nearest to oncoming traffic. We are all issued with and use Hi vis reflective jackets as standard. Several of us are First Responders (EMT- B Defib trained) and in the past have "assisted" with much appreciation from the Doctors.

I need to find out your experiences about a particular issue of scene safety. In your own experience, how common is it for Emergency vehicles (all services not just EMS) to be struck by traffic at RTC (MVA) scenes? Is it more common for vehicles to be struck compared to Emergency workers being struck?

EMT-B Course 5/6 years ago $2,000 approx. + $3,000 (approx) living expenses ( Had to take 6 weeks off work to do it). not to mention travel expenses do to Hospital placements etc. Six months later the joy of my Diploma ......Priceless!

It doesn't have to be ebay US, other countries have no legislation regarding RED lights. Blue is the no no colour here in Ireland and in the UK. You will have no prob getting red lights from the UK as they have no "meaning" over there. You will find cheap LEDs and hideaway stobes easily.

I haven't seen any EMS interviews yet, but I did look at their EMS website (someone posted a link earlier).The thing that struck me was that they looked like they enjoy what they do. I was also struck by how young they looked ( that's me getting old I suppose). I have to say I had a gut feeling that they would all be very professional. I can only offer my prayers and condolences to all those who were touched by this horrific crime. Their fellow Students and their Families should be proud of all those volunteer EMT's who looked after the dead, the dying and the wounded in their time of need.

BLS level reply. FOGU prepared even well can produce those symptoms or so I'm told. Fogu is pufferfish. Transport and inform ER of suspicions.

good one. mind you marriage announcements should go under the LODD thread!!

The service I work for is not an Ambulance service. Most ambulances will leave a station on L&S go to their call go to a hospital and then either another call or their station. we go from our base to the call and back to our base. Occasionally we use our Lights (no siren) to do Emergency calls. I've seen that when we do a longish call (travelling the same route there and back) that you might save 1 or 2 minutes over the same distance. However we need several approaches to Emergency driving Better Driver training and education ( 2 - 3 weeks Police style course) Better Sirens ( Directional white noise incorporated) Dash light or Similar eye level light.

Ruff, I got shivers myself when I read your post. By the way did you get the postcards from Ireland?

the BASICS organisation in the UK use or recommend Thomas packs. They have equipment lists on their website www.basics.org.uk

I'm not very computer literate but you might find some photo's on this site interesting click on www.isicare.com click on download presentations then click on presentation 29 D. Mc Manus. Some good photos .

I always like to carry two shears since I broke a pair in half cutting a sleeve.

where abouts in Ireland are you? What kind of equipment are you looking for?

Two Nuns walking in the park and a guy jumps out from behind a tree and flashes them. One Nun had a stroke ......the other wasn't quick enough!!

try www.basics.org.uk they have some equipment lists

There is a village in Ireland that has recently installed 10 (I think) AED units in outside locations around their village. Approximatly 45 people trained in their use. There are also a couple of schemes in Ireland where the Garda Siochana (Police) have them in their squad cars. I have one in my car at present as we have bought it for a vehicle that's not in service yet, but as soon as that's operational it will be coming out!

I've only ever seen American EMS operating on T.V. but one thing I have noticed is their apparent little use of High Visibility clothing. Over here Ambulance , Police and FF's wear Hi Vis as routine at all RTA's (road traffic accidents) Ambulance Hi Vis is Green (shoulders) and Yellow (rest of Jacket) with lots of reflective striping (22 wide) The Yellow helps you be seen during the day and he Reflective Stripes are visible at night. Even building construction workers wear Hi Vis on building sites. hi Vis is normally worn as standard at night. Our hi vis is available in heavy duty jackets and light weight vests. A full yellow anorak will pobably cost E30 - E40. however all Ambulance services etc. issue it as part of the uniform.

There was a case in Drogheda, County Louth Ireland recently where a patient who had been observed floating face down in the sea, unknown just how long was in the water ( in a lifejacket) was Rescued brought to Hospital , CPR enroute, Hypothermic, Resuscitated in ER for 2 1/2 hours . Released from Hospital with NO defecits. Remember they're not dead until they're warm and dead.

when I was doing my EMT course an officer from on of the health boards came in and offered a job to anyone who wanted one. It was at the other end of the country though. He got several EMT's that way. On a side note one of the guys who went to work for him left and joined the London Amb. Service and was at the scene of the bus bombing two weeks ago.

Firstly I have to say I don't work front line EMS but you can make a living at it. Obviously we'll never be paid like Dr's etc but then we don't have ALS yet and as far as jobs go it wouldn't be considered a bad job, and you wouldn't be looked down on for being an EMT. Luckily in my class when I trained everyone seemed to have a good education ( maybe not college or university) and we finished with most of the people we started with. I believe over here it's even harder to get into an EMT class ( only available at two sites and one of them is not open to the public) and assessment tests have to be passed before acceptance. It's also very expensive ( over €2,000 + ) which helps keep time wasters out. But like EMS everywhere I'd love if they paid us more !!

Don't forget in order to attract the more literate (I couldn't spell academic !!) student. EMS as a career has to be better paid with better career opportunities. There will always be the need for volunteers but realistically why would the better educated candidate ( who could become an RN, or Doctor etc) choose a career with little or no (by US comparisons) financial reward.

I got turned down for a job too because I was so unfit. One of the problems I face is that my life is so sedentary. When I'm not out in the car I'm sitting waiting for a call watching TV (ain't life hard!) Anyway I joined a gym a couple of months ago and while I haven't being going as often as I wanted I can feel the difference in my fitness already.

I was 30 years old before i drove. I really wanted to be an EMT so I had to learn. I took my car license test twice before I passed then I had to immediately go on to do lessons for a minibus license which I passed first time. I was a very nervous driver but I struggled and now work as a Driver (in a medical field) now I absolutely love driving and find it a great form of relaxation. I hope to do my advanced course soon. There is no requirement EMT's to have any advanced training. If you are struggling with driving it does get better takes about a year though!