Dustdevil

Yes, there really is no fair comparison between CLS and EMT. CLS receives a lot of training that an EMT does not. And an EMT receives a lot of training that a CLS does not. They are two VERY different courses for two very different purposes. From my expriences, I wouldn't say that one is necessarily trained "better" than the other. Just trained different. It's like trying to compare RNs to RTs. Both have the same degree and basically the same amount of education. They just have completely different foci. But yeah... AK is definitely not belittling the CLS in any way. Those guys are gold out here. And in this place, I'd much rather have a CLS beside me than an EMT. And, of course, having ANY Marine beside you when the defecation hits the oscillation is a comforting thing. Especially if she's hott.

What exactly is this "cultural imperialism" nonsense you keep spouting like a brainwashed mantra? Somebody's forcing Britons to buy US goods and services?

Exellent. And bring some women with you next time. Minnesota chicks is hott.

One of the best teaching techniques I have utilised is to force my students to go for the hard shots. Let them set up the IV and choose their vein, then tell them to choose another one, eliminating the easy shot. Make the AC veins "off limits" until they have at least tried one blind or difficult shot distally. If all they do is go for easy shots that don't even require tourniquets, they'll never get any better. I make them take blind shots at the cephalic vein on the wrist, going by feel. After a couple of successes at that, their confidence is greatly increased, as is their technique.

This is indeed the case in several countries, where paramedicine is a certificated sub-specialty of nursing. The Netherlands function that way. You must be a BSN already, and then take another year of specialisation for pre-hospital care. Medics are now being trained that way in Jordan too, and both of those countries boast of some very sharp practitioners. I would LOVE to see that happen in the US, and send all the 1000 hour "I don't need all that book learnin'" losers back to McDonalds.

I have no problem with this scenario. I agree with what has already been said. So long he was of the clear state of mind to function professionally, help is good. Although I have made plenty of runs on patients who had related medics on scene with them (many even that I knew personally), I have never had one jump in to participate once I arrived. It has always been my experience that once you arrive and take over, they step back and return to their role as family member without question. In fact, when I have been in the position of family member on scene with me Mum or my Oma being transported, I have never attempted or asked to participate. I've just never felt it was my place. I'd be interested to know if this kind of thing has happened often to others.

Say no more. I understand it perfectly now. :roll:

Thanks a lot for the info, Duke! That is good to know!

Anybody tell me anything about Evansville? I have a friend fixin to start college there next year.

Hmmm... I can't quite figure out what you are trying to say I was wrong about. But ooooooookay.... :?

Well, I do know that the US spends more per year on AIDS and cancer research than all of the rest of the world combined. You don't think that amounts to something?

What's the deal with all the chicks and horses here lately? :?

Okay, I got ya. I can see that. It's the same phenomenon that makes a lot of middle class Americans think all rich people suck. All we see on television is conspicuous consumption and greed. We see mansions and penthouses and Porsches, and people living in ways that the rest of us could never imagine, and it breeds contempt. But it is also misleading. It would be silly to assume that everybody who lives a lavish lifestyle is an arrogant arsehole who cares nothing about others, or is a bad person. The same would apply to assumptions about an entire nation. I certainly didn't come to Iraq with any assumption that the entire nation of people was bad or beneath me. I came here to help them, as did the majority of those I know here. I also did not come here believing that from watching the news for the last three years I really *knew* the Iraqi people. I just cannot respect the sort of self-centered thinking that allows others to make such shallow and uninformed judgements of an entire culture.

Come on, Bushy. That's the most absurd thing I've ever heard you say. Who the hell is rubbing anybody's face in anything? You and Zippy are the ones on the attack here. If anybody is rubbing anything in anybody's faces, it would be you guys. UM was merely answering your challenge. Is it a difficult concept to understand that if you attack somebody, they are quite likely -- and quite justified -- to respond, and that such a response is not "rubbing your face" in anything? When poor people go out of their way to drive by my house and bitch about how much better I live than they do, I am not rubbing their faces in anything. They are simply being petty, bitter losers. And being a petty, bitter loser is the very last attitude to cop in this world if you actually want to ever improve yourself. If the US felt anybody owed them anything, we'd be out collecting right now. We don't. And we're not. But, as the article says, generosity unreciprocated only lasts so long before the generous reassess their willingness to be generous. Those who mouth off about the US minding their own business had best mind what they wish for. If we ever start minding our own business, it will only make us stronger and the rest of you weaker.

All the better! Good looks and good judgement are a horrible mix in a woman.

Been there. Done that. You snooze, you lose. :twisted:

Just remember to leave the seat down!

I agree with you, Oz. I too am perplexed as to what the big deal is about MS in most cases. I would just as soon leave a few in the kit with everything else, and the rest in the clinic. But since they do make a big deal out of accountability, and I have to do a two-man count of all narcs daily. So really, the most convenient way to store them that assures both accountability and easy access is to simply stuff them all in my pocket. This big round pipe in me pocket is bulky and uncomfortablt though, so I am really appreciating all of these suggestions! The fly case and the cigar case sound like the most practical solutions so far. I just wish I could go to the stores and fondle them personally before deciding which is best. The cigar tubes are indeed a great idea, one that I've used before in other places. But since I have ten whole syringes to carry, that would be a little bulky. They're perfect for keeing just a couple of tubex syringes in a kit though!

It's a licence, not a license. That was meant for both of you.

Of course, if you have a hott partner, you suddenly find yourself praying for those hours spent out in a farmer's field at midnight! :twisted: But if that is not an option, I agree that the iPod is my new best friend. Between the Solitare game and the Music Trivia game on there, I can entertain myself for hours.

Texas is the same way, and I would imagine actually that quite a number of other states may be too. The Medical Director is the ultimate authority on who can and cannot do what in any given system. If he wants his medics doing nothing more than BLS, that's how it will be. If he wants his EMTs practicing ACLS, that too is how it will be. In reality, it rarely happens that Medical Directors will go far outside of established norms, but yes, it does happen. And the state has no say about the matter, as they have no authority to restrict the Medical Director's practice of medicine, which includes his right to delegate.

Ahh... the picture clarifies itself. In that case, I would very definitely seek out an ER tech job ASAP. You're not going to learn a thing as a street EMT (whether EMS or non-emergency) that will help you as a PA. Nothing. ER work is going to give you the greatest education, experience, and insight that will be helpful to you as a student and ultimately as a PA. Make that your priority. Then, if you have some free time, go volly somewhere as an EMT just for the thrill of it. But a lot of us prefer that you not disrespect our profession by treating it as nothing more meaningful than a stepping stone towards another profession. And I still sincerely wish you the best of luck!

Duke isn't talking about firefighters. He's talking about civilian medics employed by fire departments. They are not "real firemen" and therefore he speculates that the departments are not having to apply the normal residency rules to them.

Ask your instructors. They should know. If they are turning out people without having the slightest clue themselves whether or not they can actually get a job in the area, that borders on criminal. Hopefully, they should have enough experience and exposure in your area to know the score. And it is their fiduciary duty to assist their students in finding placement. And, I'm afraid I have to say -- no offence intended -- that if you didn't do a rudimentary job market analysis BEFORE you spent the time and money on EMT school, you *might* be too impulsive to be a good EMT. Think about it. Leaping before you look is not a sign of particularly good judgement. Good luck! :thumbright:

Ahhh... but you miss the point. The question is, can we really determine that is the case on the telephone? Case after case tells us the answer is 'no.'