Dustdevil

RN = CHAMPAGNE!

LMAO!! I can't believe I missed that!

Meh... not a big fan of the supermedic concept. You think we are abused now? Wait til they find out that we will treat then at home for minor ailments! Then even the ones who wouldn't have called us for a taxi ride to the hospital will be calling us. I don't see it taking a significant burden from the ERs. Totally different group of patients. Consequently, we aren't helping the ERs and we're screwing ourselves. EMS has no business trying to be all things to all people. Do one thing and do it well.

That is definitely a Lifepak 10 in photos 6 and 7.

LMFAO!! That's beauty!

Plus 5 for actually getting it right, and in the right order. Professional status is something that cannot be given. It is something we have to earn. And until we do a whole lot to improve the field ourselves, there is not the slightest chance that the government is going to recognise us as professionals.

Come on, CB. I know you know better than that. IVs arent a mystical art either. But they are useless in the hands of somebody who doesn't know when or why to do them, as well as what to do with them after they're done. It takes another medic to read the thing. It takes another medic to recognise that the lead placement was screwed up. It takes another medic to do anything about the results. And the whole point Former was making is that, unless the "partner" is able to handle the whole affair, not just the 90 second set-up, then he really isn't relieving me of a significant burden. Therefore, yes, it does make a good argument for dual medics.

LMAO! That's funny right there. I don't care who you are! But I don't trust AK to be impartial. He gives preferential treatment to hott chicks. [-X

LOL! I thought it said "douche" on the package, and was really concerned this had come from the wrong exhibit! Either that, or they have some awesome protocols in Iceland! Looks like something you'd find in a frat house. Let your imagination run wild!

LOL! Are you planning on moving north sometime soon?

Can you show us what you can do with punctuation? My eyes are bleeding. Sometimes I'd actually pay good money for a period and a comma. So anyhow... no multiple choice tests! Short essay is the way to go. My personal favourite: Explain the universe, and give two examples.

Excellent answers to an excellent question! Just be careful to watch for the differences between those who are exhibiting their own style to cover all the bases in a different way than you were taught, and those who are just skipping steps because they are lazy. Both exist in the field, and the latter will try and convince you he is the former. Don't be that guy. There are people who don't c-collar and backboard a patient you might have immobilised because they are current and know who needs boarding and who doesn't. But there are also those guys who know a patient should be immobilised, yet has them get out of the car and walk to the backboard instead of extricating them with a KED simply because they are lazy and ignorant. It takes a little experience to tell the difference between the two, so be careful who you attempt to emulate. If somebody is doing it differently than you would have, ask them about it after the run. Do they have a scientifically sound explanation? Or is "it doesn't matter" the best explanation they can offer? Great question! :thumbright:

LOL@S-tubes! Now there's a flashback! You could make them out of two Laerdal OPAs, with the little adapter phlange in between the two. I still have a couple of those phlanges somewhere. But yeah, you could buy the one-piece OPA that was a monstrosity and really about useless. This doesn't sound like an S-tube though. Seems like he's describing one too many tubes to be an S-tube.

Sounds like a good plan to me. I have confidence in you to do just that. Good luck!

I truly worked my way up through the ranks, all the way from the bottom. Boy Scout first aid --> Standard First Aid --> Advanced First Aid --> ECA (first responder in Texas) --> military medic --> EMT-A (the old EMT- --> paramedic --> RN. Even mixed RT school in there after medic school. I suppose since I didn't ever do Intermediate or LVN, some might consider that skipping ahead though, lol. It is because I have actually been at those lower levels that I know what I am talking about. Those who have never been anything but what they currently are have no concept of what they are missing. I thought I was a trauma god after EMT school too. But at no point did I ever delude myself into believing that the system was just as well off with me as a paramedic. Nor, as a paramedic, did I ever think that the hospital was just as well off with me as an RN. And once you move up to those levels, you realise just how ignorant and inadequate you were before. That is why it is just so laughable to hear the average EMT talk about what is good for EMS as if he/she actually has enough perspective to judge.

About the time? That sounds like the actual shark-jumping moment right there! I'm SO glad I never got into that show. :roll:

I can't even really visualise what you are talking about. I'd sure like to see a picture of it.

LOL! Not this area code. My area code at home! Big Shears are teh schitt, but the times you actually need them in civilian EMS are few and far between. And the holster is great, but it certainly doesn't make them "easy to carry" at all. Those things are huge (much bigger than they look in pictures), and they are right in the small of your back. It's very, very, very uncomfortable sitting in a vehicle with that on. I told Mike that he definitely needs some better carrying options for the Big Shears. Mounting them on the wall or keeping them in the trauma bag is a good plan, except that most places I have worked, they would constantly be stolen by wankers.

I've done crics for less. Who is Doug Ross? Isn't he that freaky dude with the red afro that used to teach painting on PBS before he died?

A more relevant question is, 'why can't people just get it the first 349485856374698756984 times?'

You're not disappointing me. The school districts are disappointing me. And you illustrated why. Because if they can get somebody to do it cheaper -- regardless of competency -- then they will. Therefore, they will take pretty much any mom with a first aid card so they can spend that money on perks for the most highly paid person on staff: the football coach. Does this scenario sound familiar? It should. It is the very same reason that rural areas use volunteers. Not because they can't afford professionals, but simply because they can. Back to the subject at hand, there really aren't many non-EMS jobs for an EMT or medic. They are barely trained for what their primary purpose is. They darn sure aren't trained to be a jack of all trades. There are lots of jobs that would be very happy for one of their employees to also be an EMT. But they aren't EMT jobs. They are labour jobs where an EMT is simply nice to have around. There are, of course, industrial jobs in factories and plants and oilfields for EMS personnel. Some of them are strictly medical jobs. Some want to combine you with security, where security is your primary function and medical responder is just a side duty. After all, it's not like there is constant trauma going on at any plant that isn't being shut down by OSHA. Many of them are combined jobs where you are primarily responsible for industrial safety monitoring and training, and secondarily a medical responder. Those usually pay better than the jobs that are just for an EMT. If you can get on with a good company who is willing to send you to OSHA classes, you can build up a lot of knowledge about industrial safety and a nice resume that will take you far. Safety coordinators tend to make much more than EMTs or medics. And it is something you can do long after your back and your nerves are too shot for EMS anymore. Another little known opportunity for EMTs and medics is working for companies that send you out to do brief physical screening exams on persons applying for life insurance. Although -- like most medical jobs -- an EMT is not really adequately educated for this, many employers still hire them to do it. It's a contracting job, where you get paid by the job, drive your own car, provide your own tools (stethoscope, BP cuff, scale, vehicle, etc...) and schedule your own jobs. It's great for students, parents, and others who need flexible schedules. No benefits or career future or anything, but again, good experience with assessments and venipuncture, and perfect while attending paramedic school. There's ER work, which is great experience. Much better than working on a transfer ambulance. Easier on the back too. What your job is will depend on what hospital you work at. At some you will be little more than an orderly. At others, you will be working dangerously close to a nursing capacity. It varies. But even the low scope of practice ER jobs are excellent exposure. I've known medics who burned out and went into medical sales, selling medical supplies or even ambulances. Your EMS background is valuable there, but not nearly as valuable as the gift of gab and salesmanship skills and instinct. If you're a good bullshitter, medical sales is a lot more lucrative than EMS. Just a few options. Of course, there is an entire forum of this board that is supposed to be for these discussions. You might review the existing topics there for more ideas. EMS Off The Road

Actually, they do. They're just finding that they do not want to pay for an actual nurse. Shocking. :roll:

Who are you? And what have you done with Whit? :shock:

I read every post. So does Ruffems. :wink: