ToledoEMT

Now what's that saying... Levophed... Leave 'em dead?

This is in NW Ohio and SE Michigan. EMT-B course - 400.00 including books (2 1/2 yrs ago) EMT-P course - Just about 5500.00 for an accredited program, including books, uniform, ACLS, PALS, nursing drug book, and a few other minor things. How much I've spent in gas... Good lord, probably half that. And it's only an hour drive.

I've heard of people drinking hand sanitizer... Now I haven't done the research on this, but ewwwww.

*slightly revised after figuring out what I really need* Several pens. Like six at least. One sharpie. One pair of non-latex gloves One pair latex gloves (typically grabbed right before I'm on the scene) One pair trauma scissors One roll 2" tape One penlight (which I'm sure I'll lose before the night is over) Cell phone and pager Stethoscope in my left cargo pocket

Jenn, I understand completely. I do. My brother went through this recently. My advice... Try to meet up with the DA, as the above poster said. You might be surprised at the result. Be humble, don't cop an attitude, plead your case, see what happens. I wish you the best of luck. April

I carry a small bottle of rewetting drops and my glasses w/ me at all times... Mine get dry after twelve hours, kind of like what everyone else says... I hate wearing the glasses, but carrying them with me has saved my butt more than a few times. Good luck on your new shift, sounds like it'll be an adventure April

Congrats to you!!!! Let the fun and excitement begin April

Popped pimple that wouldn't stop bleeding. FD on the scene actually said that he believed it might be "connected to a vein". Yes, we transported. Grandma was insisting. Pt was her grandson. On arrival at ER the Doc took the pressure bandage off and revealed... Absolutely nothing.

I just started a group on myspace for medic students... It's small, hopefully we can get some people posting http://groups.myspace.com/medicstudentsunite

For those of you on myspace... I created a myspace group for us... Myspace Medic Student Group Have at it God knows we could use eachother for support.

Where are you taking your course??? Just curious. I started yesterday at HVA in Ann Arbor. To say I'm a bit overwhelmed would be an understatement.

Thank you for this post... I've printed it out. The benefit of listening to normal breath sounds makes alot of sense to me now. I already listen to everyone's chest now, but you're right, recognizing normal makes abnormal jump out at you that much more. I just don't run across many patients that have abnormal sounds. Breath sounds have been an area I really need to work on. Thanks again!

Not yet, but it is on my list of things to do...er, yeah. TPBM stole my Littman. I want it back.

I took a little bit of everyone's advice (minus the foley tray, of course). I survived, the kids came out unscathed, and as far as I can tell, I didn't let the entire EMS community down. At one point we did have twenty kindergartner's in the BACK of the rig for a photo op -- that was kind of wild. The next day my son came home with twenty "Thank you" cards... It was very sweet. His teacher really has her hands full, I know I appreciated them. My supervisor has them now... Thank you to everyone... I was able to relax a little bit and enjoy it for what it was. Pictures on Monday, if anyone wants to see the chaos. April

22 five-year-olds. Twenty minute talk. Walk through the ambulance. HEEEEELP! Five year olds don't have much of an attention span and I have 20 minutes to fill... I'm looking for things to talk about... I've got this so far: What my job is When to call 911, when not to call importance of seatbelts and helmets ... I'm having a hard time coming up with things to talk about. Any help would leave me forever in your debt. Why am I terrified by a bunch of five year olds?

Anthony... Great post! I was really impressed with the way you expressed yourself... It made me really think about how I say things. With every patient in general, but especially with kids. In EMS and while I'm off duty. I have two kids. Also, I want your dentist. I just recently had a bad experience with mine. Take care, April

All of our cars carry AED's, we're a private service, but we are also contracted to do 911. All of these are in our Basics Drug Box: Albuterol Activated Charcoal and Ipecac (blah.) ASA Epi-pens We also carry KEDS, although according to most of the people I've worked with, they've never used them or maybe just used it once.

I'm a brand spankin' new EMT... as a matter of fact, today was my first day. What got me here... Car accident when I was younger. Couldn't tell you what it was, but I knew after being strapped to that board that for some reason, I wanted to be part of the calvary I just knew from that point on. When my first born was 13 months old he choked on something and we had to call 911. The fact that I didn't know what to do really hit home, and I decided that this was more than something I wanted to do eventually... Unfortunately, it took five more years for me to enroll in the EMT course. BTW, my youngest was really choking last week... She's also 13 months old, coincidentally... My husband flipped out and wanted to call 911. I knew what to do. This time... thank God. It felt good to know what to do.

AMEN!!! Okay, finally someone who feels the same way I do.

WHOOOOOOOOOT!!!! Congrats to ya April