BlissEMT

Wow, that's awesome! Thanks for reviving this thread. I start my program core in August, and I will definitely bring these pointers with me.

I had to read part of that for a Sociology class, based on the importance of heritage, and how it varies from culture to culture. It was an amazing book, from what I got through, but didn't get the chance to finish it... Is that your girlfriend's story??

Well, because the only women that would even think they could get away with something like that would match the definition of "trailer trash" perfectly... Surprised that she was a student in higher education, even if only for a brief period... and almost impressed (not in a good way) that she thought to fake birth certificates....

Wow... maybe it's just where I am, but when I took my LPN classes, we took a "Family and Community Nursing" class, that lasted for an entire semester (2 hours per week for 16 weeks), which was to prepare you for working at a place like Planned Parenthood and Unexpected Pregnancies. And at least one of the clinical/practicum specialties was OB... you could choose it for your "elective" specialty if you wanted to as well. There was 1/3 of a unit spent on it in my EMT class, too. Which isn't a whole lot, but sounds like a bit more than you guys are saying you got... Like I said, maybe it's Minnesota. Maybe it's just plain American weirdness. I feel like I'm prepared for a call involving a woman in labor. Which doesn't mean a whole lot, cause being prepared and actually being able to do it are very different, I know, but I feel like I at least know some of the possibilities, and how to properly deal with them.

One of the worst things to come across... My thoughts and prayers are with your friend, and all who were touched by the loss of such a young life.

I don't have a radio either, but if I lived rurally, I guess I would consider investing in one... As far as the cell phone goes, I keep my old personal one in my glove box, and swap it out every time I upgrade. You don't have to have minutes on a phone in order to call 911. Just a phone with a battery.

I can understand what he is saying. It's a valid point. I think the reason this is causing a problem is because he used the word "echoes" which, to a lot of people, means "repeats" or "parallels", which is slightly exaggerated. Do I personally think the relation of the Gulf oil spill to 9/11 is appropriate? In terms of our country's lack of preparation and emergency response, yes. In the way we will change our ways of thinking about certain things in the near, and far, future, yes. In terms of what parts of our country's 'psyche' will be affected, no. But, he was not saying this oil spill will put our country in fear for repeat spills, so I think he covered that base.

It's state law. If you can safely render assistance at the scene of an emergency, you shall. Neglecting to do so can be considered a misdemeanor offense. I got a printout with my state certifications that just came in the mail, I'll try to find the website and post a link. Or scan it, if I can figure out that new piece of machinery... You'd be surprised how many weird things can happen around here. Submarine, no. But neighbors that are injured/ill and you could have rendered assistance, yes. Personally, I can recount a couple situations when I felt like I was letting down my nieces or nephews because my helping someone in need made me late for a dance recital because another dad was having a seizure in the parking lot or I missed the game-winning soccer goal cause somebody's mom fell on her way to the sidelines and broke her ankle. So no, it's not about bragging rights, but when people who know me say "Oh, Ally's an EMT, I'll go get her", there's really not much I can do about it.

I think that would count as an 'unsafe situation'. Would you stop otherwise?

Thank you tskstorm. I can now see exactly the thought you've put into your reason to not stop. And, I respect it. Usually, I try to keep my thoughts away from the negative, and focus on the positive things my presence could mean. I never would perform skills without PPE, but I'm not ignorant enough to think that if I'm wearing them, nothing bad can happen. I know it is always a possibility, but it's a hazard of the job. The scenario I posed to you was not in any way to make you feel guilty for not stopping, just to make you wonder if you would feel differently if you personally knew the person. Being in MN, I have to stop, so I will, but I feel better knowing I did what I could, so you will not hear me complain!

The OP described the accident he saw and stopped for, so I've been posting with similar MVC severity in mind, I'll make sure to clarify that in the future. I'm not saying I stop for every little thing, but if there is a possibility that injuries have occured, I stop. Similar to appraising the damage to your vehicle before calling the cops for a fender bender. Here, they say not to call for a squad for less than $1000 damage unless there is a disagreement between parties (uninsured driver, etc). If I feel there was enough force behind the colliding vehicles to cause injury, I stop. If there is significant damage related to the method of collision, I stop. I didn't assume the reason you didn't carry gloves was space, but you said in an earlier post, " Further with no equipment, what skills am I performing?" I was just trying to point out that lack of equipment is not a reason to not stop. If you were one that would stop, but doesn't because you have no equipment in your car, all you need is a pair of gloves to perform some more basic skills. Also, I don't identify myself as an EMT, I usually say something along the lines of "I'm trained in advanced first aid, may I help (you/your child/whomever)?" If the BLS unit arrives there and wants to know more, I identify myself and my training level to them. As far as abandonment goes, you're putting this person in the hands of on-duty trained professionals that have the means to treat and transport the patient, and you're following the continuum of care, not just stabilizing c-spine, then walking away when they arrive on-scene. I don't see anyone finding that as abandonment. I may be misinformed, but I believe that in MN, I am required to stop. Some of the other people I personally know also say that if you are trained in skills that could be useful and can safely do so, you are required to stop or administer aid if the victim gives you permission, and you act within your scope. Driving by would be considered neglect, which is a breach of duty and can lead to liability. I may be wrong, but that was my understanding from the conversations we had in class and some of the conversations I have had with friends that are also in a medical profession. MN is weird about other things, so it would not surprise me. Again, with state-to-state laws varying so much, this may not apply to the majority of people here. If I am injured (say another vehicle hits me) while getting in or out of my vehicle, or approaching my vehicle, my auto insurance has to cover any medical costs I incur - ER, Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, etc. As for accidental exposure, my health insurance would cover my testing and care, as deemed "medically necessary" by my physician. So, I give you this for thought: You're driving home from work, and see a vehicle change lanes into another vehicle, causing that second vehicle to hit the gravel on the side of the shoulder, and skid into the ditch. You call 911 and report the accident, but drive on. The following day, you find out from your neighbor that her husband was the one in that accident, and has a broken leg, a couple fractured ribs, and is in critical condition because of the lack of oxygen from respiratory failure, secondary to the chest trauma, during the 20 minutes it took the BLS unit to get there. Knowing you could have assisted his respirations with just a pair of gloves and a face shield, do you think you might have stopped?

Well, thanks guys, I stand corrected. I guess MN just sucks as far as making EMS education easier for anybody. Thanks for the info. Still scares me to think of buying second hand off craigslist, where there's no reputation on the sellers...