Secouriste

I'm not a weapon specialist but I' go like that: An automatic rifle loaded with a large amount of heavy caliber ammos. Used only to attack human military (or otherwise armed) targets.

I don't even understand how anyone can pay attention to what the NRA says. I'd rather ask Kim-Jong-Un's advice than NRA's... I'm just bringing a little piece of news: The same day as the shooting in the US, a man attacked a primary school in China... with a knife. He started assaulting the kids in front of the school, then was able to get inside, armed with a butcher knife. In the end: 2 light wounds / 0 death and the criminal was subdued by teachers and people passing by. The children were able to safely escape the place. It's as simple as that: no matter how crazy the person is, the nature of the weapon will play a great role in the actual damages. I'm not putting aside the mental illness issues and all the others problems that can lead to such tragic event. My point focuses on the guns on purpose.

A 11-yo boy brings caliber .22 to school, "for protection"... http://www.itv.com/news/update/2012-12-19/11-year-old-brings-weapon-to-school-for-protection/

I don't think it is wise to think the writers of the constitution would have anticipated the future. Their time was troubled and difficult enough. Why on earth would they have tried to think for the centuries to come? Study a bit the History of law and you'll see that no rule is meant to last forever. What matters are the values and guidelines of a society, they determine the Law, not the contrary. Then, that picture is based on a dangerous shortcut: You mistake the law for the law enforcement. It is obvious to everyone that making something illegal will not make is disappear, and that only an efficient and strict law enforcement will actually make it decrease and even stop. I remind you that I talk of guns only, I'm not trying to explain how to reduce crime or avoid mass-shootings. Because that needs analysis on many other issues... I agree that a gun left alone will never kill anyone, and I agree that many gun owner are perfectly sain and non-dangerous people. Yet many others aren't or wouldn't in situation of danger. My personal opinion is that when you put the scale all the "okay people" and on the other side, all the risks, risks win. Why do you own a gun? For the beauty of the thing? Make a collection, for which you don't need much ammo. For sport? Own a sport gun or a small caliber. For hunting? Then have a rifle or a shotgun. For self-defense in an isolated place? Rifle is good too. Also I don't see how people can claim they have the right to own military guns like assault rifle, why not anti-tank rifles and bazookas while we're at it? I 100% agree with Craig.

Well, I'm a foreigner so please excuse me if I lack subtleness in my knowledge of US culture and Constitution. I'll talk here only of the guns, and will not try to related it to the tragic shooting, because I think there are many more issues, way more complex and deep-rooted ones. I wouldn't like the "gun debate" to obscure the real issues. That being said I grew up n a "no-gun" country, in a family that is against weapons. Here no one is supposed to carry any weapon, no billy, to taser let alone a gun. Only teargas sprays are tolerated. Oh and if you use any object to hurt someone, that object can be classified as a weapon is a trial was to occur (provided you managed to hurt the person with it of course). That is because it is in the french essence that the state provides safety and that the state only holds the legal use of force and weapons. The concept of "milicia" has always been fought against in a country that developed the concept of administration and police quite early. The History of France was the struggle of the central power to establish unity and peace over the divided lands of the kingdom, and against the political aims of the Catholic Church. That is why today in France, we are firmly attached to the concept of public services either EMS, Fire Dept. or Police Dept. We do not accept the creation of private armed groups (aka milicia). Of course, and as said earlier, the History of the US is very very different (event if closely linked with France's History) and it was back then obvious that the people had to bear arms to protect their land against all the actual threats lying in the countryside. But time have changed, so have the threats and society. Why do I bother you with the opposition of public and private holding of legal violence? Because that's a choice you'll have to make if you want to move on with guns. I personally strongly think that as long as the state will not demonstrate it provides sufficient security, and fight to prove so, people will cling to their guns. Here I'm talking of the guns anyone can wear at anytime, not the hunting, sport and collection weapons, which are something different. The alternate model is of an unarmed civile population and a strong protective state that holds the legal use of violence. In the US, one might think this looks like the onset of a state tyranny where the people is held hostage and disarmed by an all-mighty government. In France we think having the people carry firearms spreads the seeds of a civil war that could not be stopped. Of course these are exaggerated positions, but I think they're the underlying views in each country. And what about the creep next door? Well, I talked about values and traditions, but I think that today's first argument favoring guns are self-defense in the everyday life. I don't know about you, but I've never been in true danger, I mean I never felt my life at risk facing someone determined to hurt me. Yet, I know a lot of police officers and I'm a former crime law student and I know for sure that a situation of true immediate danger doesn't leave time to think. A non-trained person, in an extreme situation (or so perceived) will have extreme reactions. To answer an example that was given above, I would not trust anyone carrying a gun near me that is not a policeman. Why? Because in case of danger, I wouldn't trust his/her reaction and most of all, I do not recognize him/her the right to kill of wound (maybe for lifetime) anyone. Then what, do we simply let them do? No, here is a translation of an article of french crime law "statutes": "When facing a crime punishable by jail, every-one has the legal habilitation to arrest the author of said crime and bring him/her to the nearest police officer." That being said, the vision we have of blatant offenses is that the people can legally unite and use the strictly necessary violence to subdue the criminal and pass him/her over to the police. In most case, that person will not be armed, so the people will be able to proceed "safely" and no one will be killed in the process. Of course, in real life people take blows, some people have knives and even guns, but overall we're doing fine. The same concept of restrictive use of weapon applies to our Police. A field officer will carry a 9mm gun, a billy, a teargas spray, a taser and sometime even a "flashball". Many non-lethal weapons, since drawing your gun automatically starts a long and fastidious procedure. That's because the law here is quite clear and stringent (that's a good side of the french law system, based exclusively on the Parliament acts and not the judges' precedents) and the right to kill can be granted only if a bundle of conditions are gathered. Why? because we think it should take a lot to clear of your criminal liability in seriously injuring/killing someone. Our version of the "stand your ground" doesn't leave place to interpretation. I'm not saying it's the best system, because it can actually be too stringent and cause some situations to seem unfair for the people who did the right thing. Yet, killing someone has to be the ultimate resort. A while ago, there was this video on the Internet: in the US, some drunk dude destroying a fast food with a metal club (no victim inside) then leaving when the police arrives. He faces them, they command him to drop his "weapon" he doesn't: they shoot him to death. More than 10 bullets. This situation can be sum-up the following way: A man, clearly not in a reasonable state and armed with a low range weapon, threatens people and the police. Now look at this video, in a little french city: Exactly the same situation, yet not the same ending: a life was spared. Again, I'm only bringing fact you may or may not have. I don't wanna discuss if they took too many risks, why the taser didn't work etc... I just want to bring to your attention how things are done here, so that you may think with more elements. I hope it wasn't too boring, but I tried to bring more elements than just my feeling about this. When something is deeply anchored in a society, it's always good to try to look at as many elements as possible.

When I first heard about it, it was on the radio. Even here in France it's breaking news. I heard "shooting", school", "27 killed"... and I turned it off because my chest was heavy and burning already. I've already faced kids in great pain and dealt with them normally, but every time I hear a story where kids are hurt, I just feel so bad. I tried not to imagine anything, but that was too hard, my brain was making up bits of the supposed scene and I felt even worse. It's always the same thought that I have: "I wish I could have done something." "I wish I'd been there." if only to be there for a survivor, for the families and even maybe to try to save someone... It hurts to be so far and so helpless. Even if I'm not religious, all my thoughts and prayers are with them in this moment of pure horror and pain. I loved your post Kaisu, because that's exactly what I thought. I have to say that I'm against guns, and that in France there is a strict control on them. But a gun on a table will never hurt anyone until it's used in the wrong way. The true problem is why did this boy ended up doing this and how was this not prevented. The link you posted is a stunning insight in the life of the mother of a mentally ill child. Mental illness is a great issues that is not answered properly. Same as the reason why one could develop such problems? How does anyone turns into a senseless monster? How can we detect it, prevent it? How can we make them suitable for social life? Those are the toughest issues, and I 100% agree that they should be faced rather than finding other things to blame.

Well that's perfect! In Paris we now have snow almost each year but that's not a big deal. The thing is I do take my duty boots on my trips in the alps, because I don't want to buy a pair of snow boots. I rarely find myself in snow to my waist up though. Thanks for all your counsels, I've ordered a pair of X1 on the EU website. I like the new design of the R91 but I was afraid they'd be too stiff and I don't want my fellow EMTs or firefighter to stare at my feet asking wtf are those boots, lol. For now I have to glue my Magnums for them to hold on one more week. Jeez those are bad. Baya: yes you're right

Ok and thank you for your advice! I think I'll go for the X1. Does it grips nicely on the snow? Beside I've found the reason for the very low price on the other web-link: that boots is no longer produced, so 70€ is the actual price! Yet, only very small/big sizes remain available. So if anyone is size 6,5 or 13,5 and bigger and wish to get new boots, run to their website and check it out.

I see! There are indeed models with a brand new design on that website. Yet I wonder if they're as resistant and comfortable as the X1 for instance. I found many reviews on the X1 but nothing on the R91 or R90. Any idea? Thanks!

Just anyone can own such thing and put it on any car at his/her convenience?

Krumel: Thank you for your advice! Yes I found that price kinda weird, that's why I didn't ordered yet One last question: between the Airpower 100 and the Airpower R1, what's the difference? They have the same characteristics it seems, but about 30$ difference. Thanks!

We have a saying here which goes: "The ground is the best backboard." Which means if you have a casualty on the ground with suspicion of spinal injury, don't be too fast in immobilizing and rather focus on a good assessment (except of course in case of bad weather, hostile environment...). But as it was said before, if you have more casualties than you can treat, we're in a complete different approach of the rescue action. In France the first crew on a scene with several casualties will have to do the triage. We have a color code: - Green: for anyone who can walk or limp. Those casualties are asked to join a gathering point. - Red: for anyone who needs an emergency gesture performed: stop a bleeding / put on the lateral safety position. - Black: for VSA casualties - Yellow: for everything else. Of course, the reinforcements all called as soon as the high number of casualties is established. This will trigger a special response plan and cause dozen of ambulances + mobile hospital to respond. As soon as the first crew has finished the triage and as the other ambulances show up, the casualties will be treated in this order: Red > Yellow > Green > Black CPR will be performed only if there are sufficient EMTs on the scene. But even if this plan works out well, let's face it, being the first crew on a "big" scene is very very stressful and demands huge focus on the real priorities. If anyone has ever experienced such thing it could be interesting to hear it (I've had full-sized simulations but that's it).

Hey, I'm very interested in those boots, because I had to change my old Magnums (which are real crap). The link you provided offers a pair of boots for 69$, when you told about 260$! Is it a mistake on the website? The product presented for such price seems to be very good, but I don't want to order and pay if they may cancel the order for any reason. If it's the real price, how come it's so much cheaper when it seem to be pretty much the same as the other boots presented in the same category?? Thanks PS: I'm size 44-45 (european) which is about 11. What's the corresponding size on their website??

The highest glucose rate I saw was around 580. It was a lady about 50, we found sitting in the street. She was unable to communicate, but seemed to understand a few things we said. Also, once she was in the ambulance, she would outstretch her arms with her hands like crab-pincers. She didn't say a word nor respond to any "order". All the other vitals were good.

- IV - 4 - Bikes A few years ago we've acquired bikes. We use them when we have to cover big/moving even likes races. The bike carries 2 EMTs with basic equipments. They're sent out on scenes which doesn't "a priori" require a larger crew. The role of the bike crew is to assess the patient. If the injury, or more generally the problem is minor and doesn't need any treatment or evacuation, then the receive appropriate advice and is left. If the problem needs transportation to the rescue post, an ambulance is called. This is called to "clear the doubt", as many calls we receive aren't really justified. The bikes are very fast, can go through a crowd easily, follow a fast-moving event on long distance, and remain close to the people. - IV - 5 Boats Our structure has the state authorization to perform water rescue, mainly in the river Seine that crosses Paris from west to east. Beside the national training of water-rescuer and the boat driving licence, the Police Department of Paris requires additional trainings. It is important for us to remain at the same level than the Police River Rescue unit of the Fire Brigade Water Rescue unit, both present on the Seine. Our boat are used when an event occurs on the Seine shores, or anytime there is a risk of a person falling in the water. There are about 20 of those boats ready to be used.

- IV - Cars Our cars are used to transport EMTs and equipments to the rescue posts we set up on big events. They can be used to bring EMTs on scene, but that's quite rare. They do not respond to 911 calls. They role is mainly logistic, even if of course they can be used in case of emergency. We also have an "operational executive", who can respond 24/7 if there is a problem with a team, a rescue operation or if there is a very heavy situation. His role is to arrive on the scene and relieve the ambulance chief by dealing with annoying or troublesome third parties, or taking over the whole situation. This car transport a "mobile rescue post": Other examples:

A lot of mineral have natural radioactivity and go through radioactive decay. It becomes an issue when the level of radiations emitted goes beyond a certain number. Those are set by norms and safety rules... Uranium is indeed known for its high radioactivity.

Hey, thanks, It's always my pleasure! About medicines, we have a protocols. EMTs in France aren't supposed to deliver anything the patient hasn't already with him/her. Yet is Paris we have a protocol made by our referent doctor. It sets up a list of medicine we can give, for what reason and in what case it should (or shouldn't) be delivered. Those are basic, easily accessible, medicines used to prevent or stop benin yet very uncomfortable/painful situations for the patient. We can provide painkiller, anti-nausea, anti-diarrhea, asthma treatment, all sorts of creams... We give them only in the course of our intervention, to relieve the person. The painkillers are also used to determine the seriousness of the pain: for instance if they doesn't relieve the person at all. Well, their only limit is their personal and medical liability When it's about the medicines, yes. Otherwise, let's say we are taught a certain number of techniques, when they apply and how precisely they should be realized. Then it's just applying the right technique to the right situation. We are not trained in term of protocols but more supple "conducts to follow", which we adapt to the situation. It's a bit different, but in the end it's the same. The EMTs have a basic theoretical training which is some 70 hours long. There is then a longer training on the field. To become team foreman of ambulance chief, you can add some 100 more hours of theoretical training, and even longer (months) on field. But beside some more clinical knowledge and organization skills, it won't make you something new. The profesional ambulance transporters, who do transport all day but who can also do some 911 response, have a longer training, maybe 4 or 5 month, but it's mostly legal training and administrative stuff regarding how to deal with patients. They don't have any more medical skills than we do. We are 99% volunteer. We have employees who work full-time, organizing big operations, managing the structures, but they're in the offices. On the field, we have some paid operations, like the Paris Motor Show which lasts 2 months and requires EMTs every days! All the EMTs working there during the week are paid, when the ones working on the week-end are considered volunteers. But in most of all the other operations, we are 100 volunteers. Please note that the person working as employees are the same who volunteer the rest of the years. The Red Cross has permanently paid crews (EMTs, doctors and nurses), but they're a minority compared to the volunteers. Something like 10€/hour In volunteer EMT? There is no career to expect. You can increases your responsibilities but it's always volunteering. We all have an other job, or we're following studies! For instance, I want to become an emergency paediatrician In our crews we have IT consultants, lawyers, commercial executives, graphic designers, students... and also policemen, firefighters, nurses and/or medical students. Oh and we have a swordmaster too lol. You can become the equivalent of a Chief-Sergent and have the opportunity to operate modern equipments, coordinate huge operations, but it's all volunteering. You have to have a "main" life going on separately, you see? YES You cannot, from EMT-basic, keep on, train, and become able to do more medical things. You'll have to become a nurse or get into med school. I hope I was clear enough in my answers

He he I see, that's why I asked if "you" were in a area concerned with this kind of problem. If you're isolated, and not located near a chemical facility, then you should be fine! To answer your question, "nuclear" is what is related to the artificial fusion or fission af atoms either for civil or military purpose. The classic examples are nuclear power plants (we have a lot of them in France) and a nuke device. "Radioactive" is related to naturally radioactive elements. For instance, radioactive elements used in hospitals, or radioactive wastes. Those elements are usually concealed, yet is for any reason they're released it can become a real problem as exposure can result in very serious long-term injuries/deseases. A quick reminder about radioactivity, there are 3 things that keep you safe: - Distance: As you increase the distance from the source, the radioactivity decreases. Even in an open field, getting as far as possible will drastically decreases the consequences. - Time of exposure: The longer you stay around, the more to receive radioactive rays emitted by the source. If you have to get in a contaminated area, calculate carefully your time of exposure. - Shield: Keep in mind there are no suits able to deflect radioactivity. A thick layer of lead will stop the dangerous rays, otherwise seek shelter behind thick walls or underground. Even if most materials cannot protect you, a thin shield is better than nothing. Those are the basic things we develop during the trainings

- IV - Vehicles - IV- 1 - Mobile HQ This is the mobile HQ, its cute little name is VeCTra (Vehicle of Command and TRAnsmissions). It's equipped with cell-phone lines, land-lines, a generator, radio channels and emitters, a high mast, computers and Internet servers and a giant touch-screen. It is operated by a chief (in charge of the whole coordination), a typing operator and 2 or 3 regulators. click to enlarge It was designed and released on the field some 6 years ago, it was then the most advanced mobile HQ of Paris. The fire dept. and EMS are slowly catching up, but the VeCTra 75 remains one of the better equipped HQ in France. We are quite proud of it as it show our professionalism and our ability to design our own tools. Many upgrades are planned for the next years. You have to note that in France, lights aren't a priority. Until very recently, most vehicles had only 2 beacons on the roof. Now LEDs are popping on emergency vehicles more and more, which is a good thing. - IV - 2 - Ambulances The ambulances are the spine of our fleet. They're used for "911 call" (here it's 18 for fire dept and 15 for EMS) of course, but also as stationary rescue posts and transportation ambulances. These are what is called in Europe Type-B, which means basic life support units. We have 15 ambulances in Paris. Most of them are regular utility truck converted into ambulances, but we have 3 "square cells". The main issue in France is we can't really by foreign ambulances. Our regulations are quite special and don't recognize all european crash-tests for instance, which is a pain in the a** really. Thank you for reading!

Where I work an extract of criminal record is required. That's because in case of trouble, we want to avoid the press doing what it is doing right here: putting forward the EMT status of the man, even when the offense had nothing to do with his status nor his missions. Would you read an article titled: "Hairdresser charged in fatal hit-and-run"? Or "Teacher charged in fatal hit-and-run"? The title is misleading and makes you think an ambulance smashed that poor man. It's really dishonest and bring discredit to EMTs in general. I didn't wait for the Chicago Tribune to tell me that EMT can commit criminal offenses too. But hey, they need to sell paper...

Sorry, I'll detail that: CBRN stands for : Chemical Biological Radioactive Nuclear. It's about all the issues related to the spreading of such threats in inhabited areas

Hello guys, I was wondering what kind of CBRN protocole you had in your services, what kind of equipments and what would be your role in case of major or minor CBRN event, either accidental or criminal. If you don't have anything to respond to this kind of problem, do you think it would be good to develop that field? If you have procedures, are you happy with them? Are you concerned by CBRN issues, for instance if you work in a sensitive area (big city, near chemical industries etc...)? Thanks

Well, that's a crazy story... The thing I don't understand is who is providing the so-called "facts" here. Most of the content we have is quoted from "the complaint". So is it described through the eyes of the parents? Where was the father standing? Beside the mother, where the sterile "tarp" would hide the view? Looking above the doc's shoulder? If the decapitation was internal, how one could tell it happened? For it to be visible, assuming that the doc was pulling the arm + head, how hard did he yank back to tear off everything? Wouldn't the shoulder dislocate first? How come he could do something as stupid as pull the head? I know I'm not qualified enough to judge, but I have procedures for birth-giving too and it says in bold and red never pull the head of the newborn. Then he pushed the head and the arm and the bit of shoulder that was out... back in. Well, that's plain creepy but okay. Then it says that during the c-section, the head was removed. Why the hell would one mutilate a newborn in such way, when he's already supposed to be dead? Maybe the head hadn't been pushed back far enough. Or maybe the mother's state was deteriorating so he panicked and ended the whole mess as soon as possible? I think the article is just to blurry and incomplete and way to much oriented toward emotion rather than facts and analysis. If the doctor didn't provide any explanation, I can't see how the parents could guess an internal decapitation had occurred, and how the hell could they describe blood flowing out from the severed arteries? Given that a complete removal was performed later, the first thing described as a decapitation could only be that only the trachea was still holding... That's just impossible. Baby has so much fat around their neck that before the arteries would become visible and snap, the spine and airways would have been dislocated... Well, that's just random ramblings, but in such a messy situation, with such few and crazy facts, can we do more than that? Even on a legal standpoint, this whole thing is impossible for a judge to sort out. I just hope the judicial file is more detailed and less dramatized.

Hello fellow EMTs, paramedics, nurses, doctors and readers of these pages! As promised here is an introduction to the french Civil Protection! It is quite detailed but I'll try to put in pictures and make it easy to read! NB: I do not own the pics, everything was taken from public areas, I do not intend to make any profit with those pics, and bring them to you only with the purpose of information. - I - History The today's civil protection comes from the evolution, fusion and division of services created during WW2: The "Défense passive" was an army-like organisation of civilians in charge of helping and protection the population. This idea of "soldiers within the borders" dedicated to firefighting, medical emergencies, technic interventions (gaz, water...) or transport coordination still exist today. After the war, a large unit of "Civil Protection" was created by the Paris Police Department: These plates and helmets were worn by the EMTs of the Police Department In 1990, this service was terminated, leaving all the employees and volunteer EMTs without resources... In the 80's tough, a private service called "Protection Civile", also working with volunteers was created in Paris. The volunteers that were thrown away by the Police Department scattered in different services but many of them joined the dynamic Protection Civile de Paris, which quickly expanded after that. An ambulance on the early 90's: Today the Civil Protection of Paris is the 2nd larger volunteer EMS after the Red Cross. We count 450 active and trained volunteers and dozens of vehicles (see below). Our annual activity is that of a medium sized full-time EMS. - II - Logo and name Our logo is the international symbol of activities related to protecting, rescuing and helping the civil populations: orange disc with dark blue triangle. The white cross represents the "medical aspect" of our service and is also a trace of an other service that merged with us years ago. Our current logo Our name comes from the "Service interdépartementale de Protection Civile" We kept only the last two words. - III - Uniforms The former uniforms (used until 2005) were all blue with only an orange stripe: As it could be confused with fire department or Police, it was changed. We still keep the blue and oranges as main colors, with some white in smaller quantity. During mission, the full uniform must be worn, with black boots, short or tied hair. Men shall have be well shaved or if they want to have a beard, it must be neat and well-cut. Jewelries are forbidden, save for the mandatory watch. We can't mix pieces of uniform with causal clothes, and cannot wear the uniform outside our missions. When we're not on mission or guard duty, we still have a chance to be called on massive accidents, as support of the public services. It is not mandatory to attend to event as it wasn't scheduled. It is possible for EMT to respond, only wearing a part of the uniform (raincoat, HV jacket...). This is the Civil Protection uniform, with raincoat on: This was taken during an official ceremony. We do not wear the white gloves, white boot covers on call. The helmets are normally used only in case of danger. This is the polo shirt version: During a training session. The latest innovation for our service: the high visibility "softshell". It keeps you warm, protects from the wind and light rain. It is very supple and comfortable to use We use the F2 Extreme helmet designed (like the famous F1) by the former french company CGF-Gallet, now MSA. For our nautical rescue crews, we have a custom, high visibility rescue suit: - IV - Vehicles This is the mobile HQ, its cute little name is VeCTra (Vehicle of Command and TRAnsmissions). It's equipped with cell-phone lines, land-lines, a generator, radio channels and emitters, a high mast, computers and Internet servers and a giant touch-screen. It is operated by a chief (in charge of the whole coordination), a typing operator and 2 or 3 regulators. That's all for today, I'll post the rest later on, enjoy!