AnthonyM83

I think the reason might be that ALS providers are more educated on protocols, liability, and the whole topic of doing things outside your scope. Like I said in a previous post, I'm coming at it from a more uneducated angle since we almost never have to deal with this type of issue or discussed it in class. SO, my answer following my previous logic would have to be, yes. Keeping in mind I don't even know what this procedure is, if the doctor said I was capable of doing it (making me think finess/experience isn't necessary), then I would. In the moment, once it was explained to me, I might feel uncomfortable with it and throw this answer I just gave out, though.

I like the idea of lights to communicate with the driver. My partner and I are still figuring out systems. We mainly just yell, "IV!" or "Smooth driving!" when a procedure is being done.

I don't even know what the procedure is, but I'm guessing this person is going to die without it. The doctor does know the procedure and can tell me how difficult/easy it is. If I screw it up, how is the patient going to end up worse? SO, I'm okay with it morally and ethically. My only concern would be losing my certification then preventing me from helping others in the future.

If I had medical control directing me and there was room in the protocols for deviation based on medical online orders, I think I would follow his orders. Basically, I would be okay with being fired from my service for deviating from their protocols...but if I thought overall I'd be clear legally, then I'd do it. But I don't know enough about the topic to be really sure.

Riding with San Francisco FD, they called it a "resus" or "resuscitation", even if no resuscitations efforts were underway at time of dispatch. It's the kind of call that it's going to be once they arrive. Here, they say "full arrest" for cardiac arrest. The way I think of code is: A Code Blue is the situational code for medical personnel when someone's gone into cardiac arrest. There are specific procedures in place for it. a Code (Blue) by doing resuscitative measures. You can have a Code (Blue) by working a cardiac arrest. You can Code (Blue), be Coding (Blue), or even be a Code (Blue) by going into cardiact arrest yourself. If you have no resuscitation DNR, you're a No Code (Blue), meaning if you go into cardiac arrest, there's not going to be a Code Blue situation. If you have a limited/restricted/partial DNR, you can be a Partial Code (Blue), meaning if you go into cardiac arrest, there's going to be a limited Code Blue situation with only some of the Code Blue procedures being used. If you don't have a DNR, you're a Full Code (blue), meaning if you go into cardiac arrest it's going to be a full/regular Code Blue situation with all procedures. Then there's going Code (3) to a call, lights and sirens. Every now and then you might hear someone say "I was going full code" probably meaning they were responding lights and sirens, rather than lights only or an "Easy (Code) 3". BTW, I've also had a nurse yell Code Blue when I brought in a baby whom I was assisting with ventillations. Pulse was fine, though.

That's how it is around here for pretty much most EMTs here. It's just a stepping stone to FD/PD/RN/PA/MD/ETC

Hilarious.... It's sad that you actually get used to the screaming

In Case C6, there seemed to be some random white mucousy membrane tissue strung across the left side...was it just ripped off by the tube? I know little about intubating, so just wondering if that was extra gunk or part of the airway.

EMT/FTO walking into the living room for young female with broken leg with family all around, upon seeing her gruesome injury "Oh sh*t!....ummm, I uh left the rig doors open...I'll be right back"

I like working with our medics and don't have any of the more negative sayings, but I do tell myself, "As far as BLS goes, if it's the Medics mistake, then it's my mistake, because I'm supposed to be watching his BLS back so to speak while he concenrates on ALS." With some exceptions, of course.

I PMed the following to KSEMT122 and he suggested I should have posted it in the main forum to clarify my position, so I will, now: Hey, So, what I really want to say, but don't want to type it is that I think in my best opinion (and we'll never know even after investigation is over) is that it seems like suspect was being a jackass and trying to take the pain to make his point and the officer was tasering till he gave in. Not for a tactical purpose, but to show the suspect that he WILL submit. And I'm okay with that...UNTIL it start hurting public image. If it's an emergency situation, public image shouldn't cross your mind really...but in a long dragged out situation like this where several officers have had time to come on scene and deliberate, it's not the time to stay and play. Load and go with the suspect. Pain compliance "come-along" lock and walk him out, or drag him, whatever. It's an officer safety issue to continue the game when a crowd is gathering. And the reason I think it was a "game" or "contest" is because I doubt the officer really couldn't comprehend that the taser wasn't doing the job. I have more faith in the officer's tactical intelligence. Contempt of cop situation is more understandable and forgiveable. I know me writing this sounds like I'm anti cop, but I assure you I'm not. I bust my ass to make sure cops get top response time and care when we get an officer down call (like last night) and I wouldn't hesitate to put my life on the line for any cop. Maybe I'm just a bit too liablity/image minded b/c of how I was raised since age 14 by the PD I volunteered, then worked at. Even during fights, from time my hands started toward suspect to time hand reached the suspect, I was expected to review as fast as possible in my mind: law, caselaw, if/how I could articulate my use of force in court, nearest backup unit, who it was, number of backup units, who watch commander was and any special rules he had, dept UoF policy and if it qualified, and what exactly I was going to be doing once my hands made contact. And this is me as a kid in critical situations with time to make split second decision...so, I know that several officers with several minutes can make better decisions. But then again maybe there's something going on that wasn't released to public (since we weren't there)...but I don't like using that reasoning ALL the time b/c then we'd pretty much never get to review situations for critiquing purposes. Respectfully (though blunt), Anthony

Doubt it. I've been on campus several times recently and students' wonder why he wasn't just dragged out if he was just going limp. For them that makes sense far from looking violent or brutal...just FYI. There were no protests when officers pepper sprayed/tear gassed students over running the streets and setting trash can fires.

If there's multiple options and it's not an immediate situation (rather on that drags on for several minutes as in this incident), then it's definitely something to consider while on scene. And it's also an officer safety issue with crowd gathering to hang around trying a technique that didn't work already.

UCLA incident was legal, but in my opinion an extremely poor PR decision. If student is passively resisting by just going limp, you can try to taser him a couple times, but if it's not working switch tools. Simply drag him out or use a wrist lock with pain compliance. Continuing to taser that many times makes me think it was a battle of how many times he could be tasered before he complied. If a crowd's gathering, just get out of their with your suspect. Also, knocking him down with a taser shot is not conducive to getting him to stand up.

Likewise. All 911 medicals get "emergency response". State law says you only use the siren when necessary (which could be at all times...it's pretty liberal about it), but we tend to shut it of at night while going through residentials or when on the block approaching the house, for noise pollution purposes. We actually have one city that has an ordinance against running L&S. I'm sure there's an exception for true emergencies where time matters, but pretty much all calls are "code 2". Regular response. I think our policy about no L/S on freeway EVEN if the call itself is on the freeway is ridiculous. We recently got the county 911 contract, so the owner is trying very hard to stay in good graces with everyone (like CHP who make the recommendation) but I think is taking it a bit too far if it's affecting gettiing to accident victim in 1 minute versus 5 minutes. Traffic is BAD here. L/S makes a HUGE HUGE difference.

Unless you're fat and on drugs? Is there anyway to tell if obese drugged out people wold have died anyway or was the taser that led to (even if didn't directly cause) death? I'd like to say certain classes of people should have taser use avoided, but then that hesitation might end up harming the officer. Though if it is a case of needing immediate force use, maybe a higher level should be used anyway? Not sure on this one.

How's that tick bite looking? Any target symbols seen? Lym disease?

The California Highway Patrol suggests not using lights/sirens on the freeway. In response our new ambulance company is not running any lights/sirens on the freeway, even if responding to emergency call on the freeway, and even if traffic is backed up. The only way to go code on the freeway is if FD is in front of you going code 3 or you'reactually within sight of the accident/call and you're working through traffic to get to it. So, if you're going to a city call and decide to use the freeway and it's backed up, "you shouldn't have used the freeway". You go regular, get off at next exit, then continue code or don't use freeway to get to the call. OR if the call is actually on the freeway, you can't activate emergency equipment until you have a visual of the accident. Including secondary/rear lights. How do you guys work the congested freeways?

Good article (few typos, though). The end is confusing where they say to have one rear red light to the right in addition to the yellow arrow stick. I thought they were previously saying not to have any red to the rear since it attracts drivers. What's the benefit? (other than to just show you're PD?)

If you're talking about going in service in the morning, I would clock in, give them all info you usually give, but say you're still waiting for your partner to arrive. That way you were there early, did your part, got the rig ready on time, but partner wasn't there.

Oh, and if you don't mind the weeks of rain at a time and constant gloomy skies, I'd go for Seattle. One of the best EMS systems from what I hear, fun city, cool sports teams

If you like sunny weather, you can try Los Angeles or San Francisco area. San Francisco has a pretty good EMS system, but there's a lot of criticism about the dominant ambulance company in the area. Los Angeles county has a pretty good company to work for, but it's 2 EMTs and FD Medics responding to each call, so you don't get to do as much. And it's a pretty crappy EMS system...but you'll get experience pretty fast. San Diego and Santa Barbara are also fun areas...

I've heard good things about that Anatomy coloring book. It sounds like a kids book, but it's used by a lot of colleges. Maybe look into studying that. Another option is the AP Biology Cliff's Notes. Has a lot of biology, but really concise. Can make it easier to take in stuff you learn in the EMT course. You can get old copies of both pretty cheap on amazon.com or probably the library. Also, keep reading through these boards. You can start getting info on the right mindset to take before you start the job, so you don't get too influenced by some of the poorer mindsets when you start.

MY hardest issue on mental health calls is when patient decides to fight. I hate to physically engage a mental health patient, even in self-defense, especially since many of them are in their teens and going through a lot of life problems (way worse than anything I've had to deal with).

Where do you keep your info for the report to the ER nurse? Do you write everything on that strip of tape? (DOB, allergies, meds - can be a lot sometimes, list of multiple signs/symptoms) Or just keep it in your head?