AnatomyChick

While I will agree about working as an EMT (in most areas) in Missouri, I totally DISAGREE with working as a Paramedic... there are TONS of jobs, as everyone is short staffed. Employers are able to be very picky about hiring EMT's, not as picky about hiring Paramedics.

PM me and let me know what area your from... I can probably help you find your Instructor...

Please don't misunderstand, my frustration is not with your ability... I have no way to gauge that from Missouri.... The point that I was trying to make is that all programs should basically be the same now... the AHA, ARC, NSC, etc... have basically taken the actual "Instructing" part out of the classes. All programs are intended to be very close to identical. In other words the argument about if you should be adding in your own information and if that should take you more or less time is really a non-issue.

Ok... I MUST insert my .02 here. First of all let me state that I am an Instructor who LOVES / LIVES to teach.... I enjoy and am passionate about all aspects of it... from Instructing Didactically ( I NEVER use the term "lecture" ) to performing skills in both practice and test modes. My students do well, and I receive compliments on most every class (I won't lie, there are a "few" people who don't like my instructional style). With that said, I'll say this... and Rid eluded to it.... all Nationally Recognized programs (with the exception of maybe ASHI) have moved towards Watch then practice or View while "doing" programs. The Instructor had been removed from doing anything instructional, and is now nothing more than a facilitator. Am I happy about this? HECK NO.... see my above comment on loving what I do.... Do I think it's necessary? ABSOLUTELY... I've heard way too many people go above and beyond what really needed to be covered.. it became more of a "listen to all of the cool things that I've seen / done", not a "watch all the cool things I'm going to teach YOU to teach YOU how to save a life". As EMS providers we love the War Stories, we love hearing them, telling them, retelling them, and sometimes even telling someone elses stories... IMHO the latter of those is what ends up getting passed on as "real education" in many CPR & FA courses. Keep this in mind though... the time frames that are given for courses are "average or suggested"... what I have found is that if you have a full course (met your ratios and cannot accept any more students) then you're most likely to go the full time (and honestly you SHOULD meet for the entire time)... if you have fewer students, then it is appropriate to adjust your time accordingly. Also keep in mind that I'm talking about FA courses here..not CPR. The AHA (for whom I have instructed for nearly 20 years) has "renewal" courses with shortened time frames for those providers that only need a quick reminder and to show / complete their skills. The AHA also has programs that are specific to Day Care, Police, Security, School Staff type individuals (the Heartsaver Course was invented for just these people).... Remember, just because Healthcare Personnel are the majority of staff that you train, that doesn't mean that you can't or shouldn't equip yourself with the appropriate tool kits for all courses (and yes, I know that gets costly) to teach the course that your offering... As my Grandfather who was a Carpenter by trade used to say... "Don't take a Pipe Wrench in to Hammer a Nail".... *Climbs down off of soapbox*.

I use the Epicardia... and I LOVE it.... good price, good scope.

Yep... I agree.. Skin Colore, Temp, integrity is a good thing to look for as well.

A quick "GOOGLE" search of EMS in Ohio came up with TONS of hits.... I glanced through a few of them... try that avenue.

I should have, but PRPG is a cheater.

OF COURSE you would say that.. you choose 3 PM... LOL... ah well.. the million is all yours my friend!

6-14-2006 11:37 AM What do I win?

True enough JPINFV....My students who will be graduating this THURSDAY have been taught to treat the patient and not the numbers, but lately... I've noticed (could be the final exam coming up tonight) that they're worried to death about the numbers..... I think there HAS to be a little bit of a learning curve between the program and the "streets".

Nah.. I'm a basic and I know the newbie type the list addresses... Heck, I laughed at most of them picturing some of the folks (and even me, when I was new I bought the Zillion Dollar Steth) doing some of those things... If you can't laugh at yourself, you shouldn't be poking the stick at others.

Of COURSE I'm correct.... I'm already fielding calls left and right about the "I" program....

We put our hands on all equipment that they can be tested on... place electrodes to a manikin and the like... we also do "Call Out Scenarios".. that are as true to life as can be attained in a classroom, (office building) setting..... I believe in Critical Thinking Scenarios, and actually playing them out, not just talking them through. My students are strongly encouraged to actually do the skill and verbalize what they're doing.

Missouri EMS Personnel are licensed as well... AND we have First Responders....EMT-I looks to be just around the corner...

We shoot for 20-25 Minutes Maximum on the scene of a "medical" in the home, residential care, etc... and 20 minutes or less at the scene of a trauma unless extrication is involved. Keep in mind that's what we shoot for... I think the average is about 22 for each. We're rural, so we have a 20 minute to and from time if we're anywhere outside the county seat. 20 minutes there, 20-22 minutes onscene, and 20 minute to the ER, eats up your Golden Hour pretty quick.

Rid.. I did too at first.... Had to check the date on that.

I used a similiar program for my Paramedic class (ahhh, those were the days...). It was a useful tool. If I remember correctly, the $15 (which was actually included in our program cost) was for the access code. It's a site that the Instructor "builds" to assist with communication within the class (our Instructor, the infamous Bob Page hosted Thusday Night Q & A chats and critical thinking skills) it also has the ability to post quizzes, homework assignments, forums, etc... I loved it as a tool, but you have to think of it as just that......a tool. Just like any practice or review program it has it's place... you just can't rely on it solely, and as stated earlier, your Instructor shouldn't be teaching to that alone.

Hmmm this could also be titled, "You know you're from Missouri when:" as I can relate to 99% of these.

I'm impressed... I didn't even know that PRPG was a true whacker!

The AHA really needs to hear this from the ones out in the field teaching and taking the programs... I agree 110% that it has become too watered down. It almost makes me ill.... actually that's a lie.. it makes me very ill at how our programs have become so watered down... I'm thinking that a handful of us should start our our certification program.... Hmmmm what do you think PRPG?

I agree with Rid and Dust... I worked as the Emergency Management Coordinator for our local hospital for a year or so, and except for the fact that I could be a GREAT advocate for the "ambulance crew", my licensure didn't really change or affect the role that I played in EM.

Good Idea Mike.. yeah Dust let us know, and we'll send you care packages... you might not want to open them in front of anyone though..... :salute:

A Happy Trauma Patient is a Naked Trauma Patient... that's the principle that I teach.... (although, if I'm in a traumatic accident and I wake up and am nake, NO ONE is going to be happy... ) I do think that the stripping should be done with concern to modesty and with common sense. If someone amputates their hand in a saw, I think we have to consider that we "may not" need to take his pants and underoos off. Think of it as a case by case thing.. if you consider that there is ANY possiblity of injuries under the clothing.. off they come!

8...isn't that capsule similiar to the Prozac Capsule... that's what I always think of when I see it... makes the flailing arms make sense to me.