DwayneEMTP

I can't see it at all. I think it was a great question and I immediately though, "Oh shit...I know it won't work, or so I've believed, but how come??" I don't get the negative rating. The one thing that I hate about the popularity ratings is that it lets any shithead post negatives but doesn't force them to post their reasoning. I'm calling bullshit on your negative rating brother, and will fix it. Maybe the answer to your question is obvious to many here, but not most, and that's what a thinking, educating forum is about, right? And you know what? The City is shit without people like you that have the balls to post questions that they think they might take a beating on. What good is this place if we only ask questions that will stump Dust, chbare, ak, billygoatpete? I might as well just download (more) porn. Good for you brother. Thanks for being part of this thing we do here. Thanks for participating. And thanks for your question. I simply don't have a specific answer to offer. Dwayne

Hmmm...this story is shocking all right... But not because a medic was found stealing narcs, but because someone is actually, based on relatively recent research, replacing morphine for suspected cardiopathy with Fentanyl?? Nice. Dwayne

Actually, without further information, and playing the devils' advocate that says I take these guys' side from the start...I kind of like this. Are we really going to pretend that Hitler was unpopular? That we have nothing to learn about leadership by investigating peoples' feeling of him, then, and now? Well, yeah, I guess many are going to pretend so...but not me, nor many of the intelligent people here. And was the study worth the money? Who can say with the information provided? I once went out of my mind when I was a youngster and heard on the radio that some researchers had been awarded a million dollars or some such amount to study bears. I knew many poor and damaged people that could benefit from that money...I wanted to choke someone to death! Then I saw another a show, perhaps 20 years later or so (Yeah, I watched it because I was still pissed) that explained that bears hibernate months at a time. During that time they eat nothing, producing no stool or urine. If scientists could discover how they were able to do such things that it could have life altering effects for dialysis patients. Not just for their quality of life, but for the national fiscal bottom line. All of a sudden a million bucks didn't seem like such a large amount of money. Once again, the press wants to use our prejudice to breath life in a story that sounds as if it has none..I for one, am refusing to play.. Once again a great story, from a person that loves to inspire great debate. Dwayne

Hey MB. I'm afraid I can't tell you a lot, as my last exposure to EMS here other than my current gig was several years ago. I would burn my medic cert before I'd work in Pueblo. Now, I only rode nights, and I've heard that it's different during the day, and that they have some really good people there, I just didn't seem to bump into any of them, not on the AMR nor Fire side. Lazy medicine, unkind treatment of patients, in fact to the point that I filed a report that resulted in, so I've heard, nothing. Not a good experience for me, though I can find you several people that claim theirs was completely the opposite of mine. I rode my next three rotations in the Springs and loved everything about it. In fact I found everything I'd hoped EMS to be in that city. Fire controls the scene until released to AMR. The AMR teams (M/B) were for the most part professional, interested in medicine, often did call reviews in groups at the hospital. Fire was likewise, always clean, attacked the scene and patient care from the most logical, team oriented approach possible, I saw little to no turf issues. In fact some of the best mentoring I received came from the fire medics. I wanted to work there so bad I could taste it! But ended up going over seas instead. I think at that time medics were making around $15.60 to start, and basics around $10.00 or so, but again, that has been several years and I've heard that they've taken a turn for the worse with management changes since then...But you know how rumors are, right? Good luck girl! Let us know how things turn out for you and give us an update on the services from your point of view when you can. Dwayne

Thanks a lot guys...this is going to be a friggin' blood bath...I can't wait! I have until Saturday, so I could use more ideas if you've got 'em....(Not sure yet what time Wendy...) Have a great day all! Dwayne

So, when I started at my current job I became quickly unpopular because of my outspoken feelings regarding fire v EMS and the local volunteer system. Over that last year or so I've repaired many of those relationships and work great will most of them. (Though of course there are a few that will cry forever about comments made in passing, but screw em. But, based on this history I've been asked to sit in the charity dunk tank. It's a fund used to sends vollys that have shown at least a years true commitment to the community to EMTB school at the local college. I've warned my boss that this is going to cause a shit storm, as I'm unwilling to let people stand back and throw things at me for free, and he's accepted responsibility for any fallout that may come from my 'charity work.' So, what I need is volly/fire jokes/insults that will get them to spend their money to see me get dunked. None of this will be mean spirited on my part, I don't want to hurt feelings, only poke people with verbal sticks until they get mad enough to spend their money... Any help you all can give will be appreciated and help turn another first responder into another basic. Dwayne

I agree with your posted, though not sited, paragraphs above, but fail to see how it applies to my post. What you've posted and I've quoted above would lead most I believe to suppose that you were implying that humanist is equivalent to Atheist, something that you're quoted text shows specifically to be false. They were not atheists, they simply were not Christian. And it was not my intent to make a legal argument that church and state are bound from the genesis of our nation, but to show the error in what I believed to be your statement that the founding fathers were not religious, but humanist, and per your statement, then atheists. Many things have change since the inception of our country, and I find it hard to argue that it is now not predominantly Christian of one flavor or another. Is it now then, considering that we have, In God We Trust, and One Nation Under God, "Do you swear to tell the truth, so help you God?" so firmly embedded in our governmental, legal, and financial lives, so far fetched to consider that there is in fact no separation between church and state, but only no legal obligation to participate? And so there should be no misunderstanding, I do not consider myself a Christian, nor a follower of any organized religion. Dwayne Edited to add the bolded 'not' above. No other changes.

I can find many reference to the fact that the founding fathers were Deists (not sure if that's the right word). The fact that they were not Christian does not in fact mean that they had no God. The Declaration of Independence mentions God, and the Creator, how are we to interpret those words without accepting their belief in a deity? Dwayne

Convince her that there is every chance she is going to die from one or more causes in a short order. And if she doesn't die, she will almost certainly suffer permanent deficits from the symptoms she is exhibiting. Explain to her that if she has one single person in the world that loves her that she is making a very selfish, irresponsible decision. If she continues to refuse, refuse her AMA, leave her with a friend that's been instructed to call you back in a few hours when she's dead or unresponsive, and hit the road. Dwayne Edited to correct grammar only.

Hey Cap, welcome to the City. I'm not sure if you've been a lurker or not, but we're grateful to have an old hand around. I'm hoping that when you run into the 'anti fire' comments that you'll do your best to see that though we often are unhappy at the effect of fire on progressive EMS, that there is a difference between firemen, and the fire unions. One we like fine, the other we find pathologic to progressive EMS. See? Happy to have you brother... Dwayne

I have just two things to say to you.... First, very poor decision on my part to hijack this thread by going in this direction. Second, if we should choose to continue down this path, you'll just kick my ass anyway, so we should go back to the OPs topic. :-) My interest in this came from a National Geographic special that claimed that the 9 oldest skeletons found in North America were caucasoid and the fight that the Indian Nations put forth for a chance to examine them. Many were subsequently 'lost' after giving them that privilege. Regardless, it still didn't belong in this thread. Thanks for your thoughts. Dwayne

Wasn't referencing you, as I know it wouldn't be your way to make such an assumption, I was referencing, Dwayne

Who do you mean when you say 'natives?' http://www.independe...ope-609699.html http://www.utexas.ed.../1stpersons.htm Or perhaps this needs a thread of it's own.. :-) Dwayne

Though I'm thankful that you bothered to post a cool new thread on an intelligent topic, I just don't find enough information to make it interesting enough to play. +5 for bothering to bring mental gymnastics into the forum. In my bunker sex (biological and affinity for), personality, past history is going to be much more important than title. Also, the scenario demands that each person is single role. I don't think I've ever know a single role person, this isn't a Facebook game, right? As Yeti mentioned, sex will be vital so the hooker and blind chick have an intrinsic value but it kind of ticks me off that every person that appears educated and/or decorated is assumed to be male. Also, if the soldier and/or cop came into the bunker armed, these decisions will be made by force anyway. So all is moot. Dwayne Edit in above post made to reformat for the 3rd time. Not referenced there as I was afraid to reedit that post to place this. Dwayne

It breaks my heart to think that anyone would think that wearing, waving, exhibiting an American flag anywhere, at any time in the United States would be considered an instigation for violence. If wearing them was to stir up some shit then those that would be 'stirred' should then revoke their own rights to the privileges that they enjoy here and move to a place where they don't find the national flag offensive. I acknowledge americans. I care not one whit of their color, sexuality, national origin, social status, religion. I will be happy to help feed you, to educate your children, to carry you if need be, until you find your way, but don't ever, ever ask me to address you as African American, or Chinese American, or Polish American. We stand together here, as one people of many backgrounds. If it's not sufficient for you to be American, so be it, you should feel free to move on. But if you commit, I will stand besides you, no matter what, American with American. I love the speech below.. (partial) 'In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American... There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.' Theodore Roosevelt 1907 God bless you all, but if you choose to be offended by a symbol of the country that supports you, that fields the military that protects you, that feeds you when you're poor...then I'm afraid I have no respect nor patience for your hypocrisy. I would have worn my flag t-shirt right to the hospital, along with all of those that tried to remove it from me. Dwayne

Man, these thoughts get my vote for post of the month...(wouldn't let me + it Matty, I was over my limit. But it deserved it.) Dwayne

No idea what my first would be as my medic career seems to be a never ending string of 'duh' moments, but one that stands out... 55 or so year old woman, called for altered mentation. One of my first calls stateside. Also it's been a while so the specifics might be skewed, but the gross facts should be close. Arrive and she's obviously altered, breathing poorly, bent in half on the couch, resps challenged by posture, on home O2. RR around 8-10 shallow, brady but not terribly so, skins flushed/diaphoretic, obese and shows muscular wasting of those that are chronically inactive, SPO2 in the 60's I think (it's been a while.) I'm with a partner that I adore, but makes the mistake of trusting that I won't have my head buried completely up my ass so simply does what I ask without questioning. Fire is there, has gotten an IV but hasn't really dealt with the breathing issues so I jump into super medic mode and lift her up straight to try and improve her breathing, (I mean, who thinks of posture to improve breathing!! Ok, so now I know most do, but at this time I was the only one smart enough to do something so progressive) which it does, call for a non rebreather which doesn't improve her skins or SPO2 enough, have my partner start to assist vents with BVM. Lung sounds wheezy, diminished, so I start to bag in a neb treatment, load her and transport. Run into billygoatpete at the hospital dropping another patient and am pretty friggin proud that one of my first calls went so great! IV access, fluids, assisted vents, bagging in a neb (all of this seemed very glorious to me at the time) and can't wait for him to see me in all of my medic awesomeness... He says, "Wow, I'm surprised Narcan didn't get her up and around." I look at him like an idiot. He says kindly, "Oh, you didn't try Narcan?" (See, it's not his way to call an asshole an asshole sometimes) I said, "Uhhmm, no, I didn't think of that." He says, "You didn't see all of the narcs on her med list?" (Well, no, I was to busy being heroic to think of her med list.) I say, "Uhhmm, No, I didn't check her med list." He says, "That's ok man, you'll get it." I'm not completely sure that he's right about that.... Dwayne

Age? Mental status? Any reason to believe that she is incompetent to refuse your care once you've thoroughly explained the threat to life that her symptoms present? Dwayne

I'm going to approach this, as I do most things, from the point of genuine ignorance as I have no idea what the facts are and have not been interested enough in the flight industry to spend any time on it. Not being facetious, but accurate.Should the entire industry not look bad? I'm only aware of the two services we use locally. One that seems inspiring, and the other that seems akin to a monkey humping a football. If the rest of the industry is like that, 50% (appearing) great and 50% (appearing) ridiculous, then isn't that a high enough failure rate to say that the whole thing is broken and then attack it as a whole? As above, if so many are not 'state of the art', creating many medical and mechanical failures in care and safety, and the 'state of the art' are having a hard time proving that their services make the risk worthwhile, then aren't we again morally and ethically bound to approach the issue as a whole? Is there a realistic chance that that regulation is in the foreseeable future? I don't know what that means.. Again, is it possible that this is the pathology that will terminate the entire organism? And if not, and you're able irradiate this away, how would that happen? How come? Money? Isn't this the same argument many use to support the volly systems? Not sure. The Creeper (you know who) gave me his viral respiratory infection and I'm trying the non AMA approved method of drowning it in tequila as a cure, so perhaps I'm missing your point. I have no idea. Though I know it would take a hell of a helicopter to fly my air conditioner anywhere. So I'm guessing the issue is significant. I agree, though I am losing faith that EMS in general will ever get behind a 'this change is right, and good, and we need to move it forward even if it hurts' approach to resolving issues. Think if fire decides to get involved in HEMS? I would hate to see the end of HEMS. I think I speak for most of us when I say that I use them often, but mostly because the flight nurses have those gnarly great assess in their tailored flight suits! (Ok, so I've never actually landed a helicopter stateside. I've started them several times, but cancelled them en-route. But I really, really, like to know you're coming when my sphincter is chewing holes in my underwear.)(Ok, not a great mental image, but you know what I mean.) No need to thank me, as you've already proved to be a gift. Thanks for your thoughts brother.. Dwayne As seems to be happening most often, the formatting got hosed just when I posted and I have no patience to going through and fixing it again. Admin, is this a browswer issue? Or are others having the same problem. I preview over and over with the formatting looking and displaying fine, and then all of a sudden it simply bunches everything together. I used to be able to continue to hit 'preview' and it would eventually sort itself out and be good again, but that doesn't seem to work any more...could it be a Safari issue? Yeah, ok, so it made me batshit and I had to go and fix it, but the previous paragraph is still valid.

JP! Holy shit! JP was my FI (field instructor) when I came back from Afg and hired on with the service where I now work. Smart, kind, funny as hell! He was kind enough to take me seriously despite my short time in EMS. I've been blessed to come to call him my friend. There is much I would love to say here, but will wait, as I'm not sure how much he wants to put out to the world, but will try and tell some stories as I can. I had just about come to believe that medics didn't really try and get smarter and stronger every day, that the thought of having someone to challenge every decision you make in order to make you better, and expect the same in return was a myth, but he's proved me very wrong. I'm not sure that I've ever met anyone, in any profession, that works as hard, every..single...day...to be better and is tireless in doing the same for those around them as JP. It's my hope that you will all give him a warm welcome. And don't hold our association against him, as he and I couldn't be any different. He's trim, smart, good looking and me...yeah, me, not so much of any of those things. He's worked the 'Knife and Gun club' in Denver so has a ton of stories that he may be pressured into telling. If we can convince him to participate, and there's no reason he shouldn't as his current gig gives him the time, we will all be the better for it. Thanks for peeking your head out brother. I look forward to your posts. (I talked to Babs the other day about coming to visit, and she's up for it. But I'll need to school her a bit as she can be hard to get along with and socially inappropriate, so I don't want her to embarrass me...Just sayin') Dwayne Edited to correct a typo. No contextual changes made.

I had never seen 'murse' as an official title. I've always assumed it was a tongue in cheek play on words...? Dwayne

There are many here more qualified to answer your questions than I am, but I'm curious. If you're an EMTB, why are you also seeking medic positions? Dwayne

It's not uncommon for us to do that here. This is a small system and when pts need to be transported, 'specially when they're doing so at the hospital because of an incoming blizzard or such, we do what we have to do. We simply can't staff an individual ambulance for each patient to run 180-400 mile circles.<div><br></div><div>I explain what I'd like to do to each patient and get their permission. These are often semi critical though non emergent patients. I've only once had a pt argue though have many times refused to haul the two pts that the hospital wanted taken. I once had a crushing chest pain that they wanted to pair with a forensics pt (a male that was found incompetent to stand trial for murder) that I, of course refused. And others like them. There are no HIPAA issues here that I can see.</div><div><br></div><div>Transferring can be a challenge at times if abandonment is going to be avoided. But I simply have the hospital make arrangements to have an RN meet us at the ambulance and take the first pt with my partner while I continue care of the one remaining. Or if the pt is BLS then do it the other way around. Not terribly complicated if the job really needs to be done.</div><div><br></div><div>I have no idea how the billing is handled. I've never been involved in that aspect of the business and intend to make a career our of avoiding it.</div><div><br></div><div>Dwayne</div><div><br></div><div><br></div> Edited to try and straighten out the screwed up formatting. I was thwarted...

Your comments and attitudes on this subject are shocking! In fact, I feel almost toxic with shock! I think there's really only on way to answer this for sure. Ask the owl. Dwayne