AnthonyM83

It's also not technically funny when a cop just punches out the annoying guy in a movie scene (like at the end of "Super Bad"), but in reality watching that on screen is hilarious. There'd no point to doing any commercials or movies or television show comedies, parodies, or even dramas if you had to show every single job accurately. The POINT of the comedy is to not accurately depict the EMTs...it's surreal. They're doing something ridiculous that the public knows we wouldn't do. If they thought we WOULD do it, it wouldn't be funny to them. Just like ERDoc and Doczilla shouldn't be offended by that video posted in another thread where the doctor just busts out random medical orders without taking an actual history, physical exam, or reading the patient chart...the point is comedy. You gotta defend the profession, but still also keep perspective from a regular person's point of view. I had that problem in a previous job...but I learned to chill out with it over time. Thanks for posting that, though. The way you described it, seems like classic parody. Doctor or EMTs discussing something frivolous while patient dies...like scenes where guy gets beat up on the other side of a window behind a clue less cop looking around.

I thought I reading a relationship advice guide when I read that quote at first!

Mmmm....I'm not sure....there's a loooot of stories out there. Our company transported for a "bad dream"...more than once. I was forced to transport for "no complaint. Would like ride to hospital ER for an upcoming urgent, but non-emergent leg surgery". As well as "it's cold outside".

If anything, I'm more cautious (aka scared) of stripping/flipping or doing thorough physical exam on the really hot girls...only b/c they're probably used to guys doing all sorts of creepy stuff to them and weasely reasons for touching them. More likely to complain, I think. Than a girl who's not stuck in her head about her looks and knows she's been in a bad accidents and needs this done.

On a lot of the routine calls, it's fine...yeah they do most basic stuff that they have to...get a line if you HAVE to give a med, give albuterol, take an EKG to make sure it's not a STEMI, check sugar. They handle the basic necessary stuff and just hand it off to the hospital (though since overcrowded they might not get the best tx and not right away). But pretty much anything else that can be justified (at least on paper, not in reality) to go BLS, they just ship off code 2...with often hours of waiting in ER hallway for bed. Lies on paperwork, so pt doesn't get accurate tx or testing. Or anything critical that's different from norm, it turns into a circus. People die that seem like they could have lived. Any difficult intervention isn't done. There are some exceptions. Some good medics (and some that would like to be good medics...heart in right place, but not well-trained/educated) but even then they're limited b/c of limited protocols (b/c others blew it for them) and influenced by other medics not to follow up on stuff...

I've given all my EMT partners explicit instructions. If I'm involved in a trauma, do NOT wait for county medics. Go straight to the trauma center. And if he HAS to b/c of my condition, go into LAFD borders...they're just a bit better than county...but it's still LA...oh and travel away from these hospitals' service areas. We had a conversation the other day. Would you rather go to one of the local ERs shot in the hand or the farther trauma center shot in the head? I think everyone answered shot in the head...

That's one of the things I've learned here...I forget at times b/c I have to self-teach and didn't turn it into a habit during EMT school. But some of the medics around here obviously didn't learn it either....I've been handed of patients that were never touched once...even to get vitals. I guess when you become a medic here, you get the jedi skill of just 'sensing' vital signs....i can only wait...

How was he not responding to verbal stimuli? At all, like he was in a complete coma? Or was he just confused and not answering your questions? What was his GCS and ability to follow commands and protect his airway? The answers you get are based on how you word your questions...let's make sure you're wording it right or you might get a false confirmation.

DT4EMS.com has a course on using you trauma shears for self defense. They're good tools, kind of like brass knuckles concept if you hold them right and can also be a stabbing tool. You can use almost anything, though....a bulky jump bag to put between you and attacker if there's nothing else...push off the jump bag and run. AED can be an impact weapon. The pin on your badge. You're radio. Your pen can be both a stabbing tool and a used to twist fingers. A metal regulator key can be a great impact weapon (face). Obviously the portable O2 tank and clip board (especially with the edges...again to the face). Gurney can be thrown in front of you while retreating. Pepper spray might be okay, but it's really so unreliable in a lot of situations. If the situation's so dire you can even retreat, then the guy's probably so hyped up it won't affect him. Steel toed boots can also do some damage...

Temp was off an electronic oral thermometer at the ER (who knows how accurate). To be clear, no radiation to flanks or back. Pain started first, at first she mistook it for hunger, but it quickly worsened.

Any thoughts on the cause of this. I know abdominal pain can be any number of things, some we never find out. I'm just weak on this area of epigastric area pain and haven't had any others of this severity for that length of time. CALL: Abdominal pain. Dispatched at 1AM. PT: Female, 19, found sitting writhing and moaning in pain at home. Approx. 5'9, 162lbs. Moderate distress. C/O: Pain concentrated just above umbilicus to lower sternum, but radiates to entire chest. Neg back/flank pain. Sudden onset 8 hours prior while sitting. Described as "sharp" and as "a combination of childbirth and when your sugar is real low, but doesn't feel like either one specifically". Rates 10/10 feel slightly better laying left lateral. She says something "feels weird, different" on her stomach when she presses on it, but can't be more specific. On EMT palpation: Stomach soft/supple, neg pulsating masses, neg rebound tenderness. Could not find what patient was referring to. Constant, but gets worse in waves. Nausea/Vomiting all day, whenever she tries eating/drinking. No longer vomiting, as she fighting it b/c it increases pain (and likely because low stomach contents at this point) Neg diarrhea (though has avoided bowel movement due to pain) Neg hematuria Feels extremely dehydrated. States difficulty regulating her temperature "I get hot then cold then hot then cold all day". HX: Neg hx of same. Closest event is pain leading up to appendectomy 2 - 3 months ago. Only complication was that incision wound reopened and was told by hospital to just put a bandaid over it. She was concerned because the reopened wound was very deep "it went all the way in". Also, Anxiety, Past pregnancies (UNK Gravida/Para), LMP - started earlier that day (UNK if on schedule or not), states very low possibility of pregnancy, but technically possible. Neg allergies. Neg meds. No new/unordinary foods eaten that day. Does not feel sick otherwise. Neg Drugs/ETOH. Neg SOB. Neg Weak/Dizzy. VS: BP: 134/68, HR: 96, RR: 24, O2Sat: 100%, Temp: 97.2 Skin: Pink, Warm, Slightly Moist, Eyes: PEARL, EKG: NSR Impression While the extensive moaning and groaning was probably slightly due to young age and hx of anxiety, her pain seemed very severe. She did not seem to be trying to simply get attention (did not wake up her boyfriend sleeping at home). She was articulate in describing her conditions and answering questions.

That's a pretty decent accident!

Wow, that's really interesting. Great tool to monitor crews on-scene...but not so cool if you can listen into private conversations between partners while in the rig....

As far as the stone heart, I imagine it's hard to tell who actually has it and who just hasn't been exposed to the proper circumstances. Only time I felt like crying was during prolonged exposure (while waiting for coroner) to a grieving family that resembled mine during in EMT student ride-along. I seriously wanted to cut the ride short and go home. Since then, I've felt sympathetic plenty of times...had patients I kept thinking about...but never really felt like sad for more than a few minutes (at most)...usually because family's not on-scene and that would be my trigger. Otherwise, everything's just kinda 'eh'. But I haven't had to deal with scenes that others have...and b/c of that first exposure to the grieving family, I know that there's stuff I could face that might make me get that emotional (otherwise I would have falsely mistaken myself for the heart of stone guy, almost to point of immaturity, that would rather than stand there poking at the exposed brain to see if I could the body twitch kind of guy).

Thanks for the replies. Yeah, Physiology is a separate class, but I already took it in undergrad (BA in Bio), so since I'm short on time, I think I'll be okay (not that a refresher wouldn't hurt)? Its anatomy was limited to major bones and organs (with fair, but not complete, amount of detail). Math's okay, got through Calc II, and have General Psych, Abnormal Psych, and Composition classes. All three paramedic programs I'm considering would be full-time (like 8AM-5PM) 4-5 days/week....so concurrent classes would pretty much be out of the question...not only b/c of difficulty, but also scheduling. One lasts 10 months and the other 6 months.

BTW, these are the course descriptions...I imagine a lot of these classes are going to fill up soon: ANATMY 1, General Human Anatomy 4 units This course is an intensive study of the gross and microscopic structure of the human body including the four major types of tissue and their subgroups, and the following organ systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, endocrine, nervous, and senses. Functions of the organ systems are included at the introductory level to prepare students for a course in Human Physiology. Laboratory assignments develop the skills of observation, investigation, identification, discovery and dissection. The use of actual specimens, including cat dissection and observation of a human cadaver, is emphasized to assure that students learn the relative structure, functions, textures and variations in tissues not incorporated in models. Supplemental materials such as models, photographs, charts, videotapes, and digitized images are also provided. This course is required for students preparing for many Allied Health professions including, but not limited to, Nursing, Respiratory Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physical Education and Kinesiology Training, and Physician?s Assistant and is a prerequisite for Human Physiology 3. ANATMY 2, Advanced Human Anatomy 4 units This course emphasizes developmental, comparative, gross anatomy as applied to various disciplines such as clinical medicine, anthropology, art, illustration, kinesiology and pathology in order to demonstrate practical and professional applications of anatomy. The laboratory experience includes individualized instruction in dissection of the human body. Students prepare seminars on specific anatomy topics for presentation to faculty and other students. Guest lecturers and field trips may be included. SPEECH 3, Voice and Diction 3 units This course focuses on improvement in voice and articulation. It features analysis of the student's voice and articulation problems and offers specific strategies for improvement. Techniques in relaxation, breath control, articulation, vocal variety and pronunciation are emphasized. In addition, students learn skills in oral interpretation, public speaking, and transcription of the International Phonetic Alphabet. OR SPEECH 5, Interpersonal Communication 3 units Techniques for effective interpersonal communication are studied with emphasis on developing awareness of one's own actions and their impact on relationships. Verbal and nonverbal communication styles are analyzed and practiced in one-to-one and small group situations. Lecture, discussion, and class participation are utilized to demonstrate a variety of skills including listening conflict resolution, and the effective use of language in personal and professional interactions. In addition, exercises in body language, role playing, and self-disclosure and positive/negative thinking help students understand the power of the communication process. MCRBIO 1, Fundamentals of Microbiology 5 units This course involves study of several types of microorganisms with emphasis on bacteria. Principles of microbiology, metabolism, genetics, immunology, and medical and nonmedical applications are considered. The laboratory includes aseptic transfer techniques, cultural characteristics, methods of microscopy, and analytical techniques for identifying microbial organisms. The course content is related to both general and clinical applications including recent molecular biological and serological techniques. PSYCH 13, Social Psychology 3 units This course is a study of the nature of social interaction and group processes that affect the motivations, attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors of individuals.

Since EMTCity is like my surrogate family / coworkers / academic advisers, I wanted to check in with you guys. Note, I'm working this 24-hour rotating shifts. So, here's the deal, next quarter goes from Feb. 11 to June 10. The next paramedic programs at the schools I want to attend start May and August...if I get into a May program I really don't want to put off medic school any longer. I've spent 15 months working this $8/hour EMT job giving up weekends from my youth. I love it, was just appointed an FTO, but you're only allotted so much post-college time to dilly dally around (plus I'm overly concerned/scared of letting time pass me by in life). I have the options of taking these classes, learning what I can from them, and dropping them for medic school in May. Or passing up another opportunity, staying at my job longer (which I like, but it's not leading anywhere and learning curve is leveling out), getting ONE quarter done, and starting medic school in August. I seriously think if I'm spending all this time being static, I should just switch jobs and take 3 three years to prep for medical school applications.... This seriously feels like a mini dilemna / enpass for me. Anyway, as far as the classes: The local CC just opened up a bunch of Anatomy classes, so now I WILL be able to take Anatomy Part I. I don't think I can take Part II concurrently (it deals with applications to medicine/anthropology/pathology and include human dissections)...if I can should I take both? I found this Speech classes that goes over voice, articulation, and styles of communication...always wanted to take something like this... There's also a Microbiology class that looked interesting. Wanted to take this in college, but didn't fit in the schedule. Only classes are offered MTWR...so I'd have to change jobs...no amount of shift trading can consistently allow me that. And there's also a Social Psych class I've wanted to take forever...though I suppose I could pass for now. That'd be 3-4 classes...working full-time at a place where you don't get much sleep on shift. I'd have to shift trade and sacrifice weekends/social life. My new year's resolution was to set time aside for that no matter what, because I've become so far removed from friends over the last year due to the job schedule. I don't even know if it's doable. I'm considering a job as an ER Tech...but I don't know how flexible the hours will be. Will pay more, but you work fewer hours per week. I'll just leave it at that. It's late and things are muddled for me. My main concern is how much having those courses under my belt will change my paramedic school experience. I have a good deal of biology background, but haven't taken those actual classes. As far as possibly leaving my job....I feel like I'm just getting situated there...and it's just a really hard place to leave. I'll post this now and review it in the morning maybe with a bit more clarity. :-/

Thanks a lot for all that info guys! Just what I was looking for.

I like evolutionary biology stuff... A good way to keep track of articles is to do searches on Google News, Google Blogs, and Google Video for certain keywords and then subscribe to Bloglines so you can see them all on the same page. Great way to keep up on a topic. Also brows through magazines like "Science".

Now THAT'S Stallowned!

Could you explain how the public would be better served by an EMT driver than a paramedic driver? It IS nice to have two medics on scene and many many systems have succeeded in having this. Well, sure, but why would you accept a "poorly trained and unmotivated medic"? You wouldn't put up with a "poorly trained and unmotivated EMT" would you? How come people always leave out the "really good medic" option when they say this?

The link asks me for a login and password...

Wait what? Could you outline the base knowledge of each? Academically, I can get the base knowledge of a paramedic in about 4-6 months of full-time school at the paramedic schools around here. Don't pretty much all RN's need to take full college courses like microbiology, A&P, etc?

:-/

Good job guys, way to be respectful.