DwayneEMTP

Curious where you see epiglottitis or esophageal varacies? I don't see anything anywhere in the scenario that even hints at either of these. In the scenario you can't possibly visualize the epiglottis, and varacies simply isn't a logical assumption here, unless I'm missing something significant. We should try to remember that there are always new people logging on here so that if you're going to hypothesize WAY off into left field, please explain your logic. Otherwise they can spend all of their time being confused by wild ass guesses meant to sound intelligent but having no basis in logical assessment and treatment. I will be interested to have more information on this...at this point I have to think the 'chaw' may have something to do with this, assuming that the description is accurate of "hamburger" in the back of the throat. Dwayne

Nipple line up is classic PE.... Any tissue/blood on the wrench? Dwayne

Prayers for you, Carolyn and those that loved her from the Womacks in CO.... Keep your chin up girl...I'm sorry I missed your messages before. I know it's not your way to throw all of this out into the ozone...but I'm glad that you did it today... Breath, take a minute, be strong....I'll look for you a little later and we'll spread some hate and discontent, OK? Dwayne

Good luck girl!! Keep up on your studies...I think Kaisu was on drugs because I thought medic school was hard as hell...but have fun when you can. Give a shout when you need us... Dwayne

Sorry Annie, you did misunderstand, but only because I did a poor job of explaining. My intent was to compliment your arguements in particular as well as the part it played in the smart discussion with Michael. My apologies for the misunderstanding. Dwayne

I disagree completely. There are only two that matter in the vast majority of the U.S. Basic and paramedic. Intermediates are not utilized in most places to the best of my knowledge. A lot of effort has been expended to confuse these, but it's really very simple. A medic truck says "Paramedic" on the side of it...don't you suppose there is a perfectly good reason that there is not "Basic unit" printed on most fire trucks nor all basic/basic ambulances? Yeah...The public wouldn't like it, and not liking it they would make different decisions....And most don't want them making intelligent decisions that will affect their budgets. I'll bet you $100 that you can't find 5% of the public that has ever even heard of the other certs, much less confuse them with anything. Weak point this time Doc. Dwayne

Why does it matter? It's inaccurate, and I don't really need more than that to disagree with it. It perpetuates the misconceptions the public has regarding the level of care they are receiving. Why do people believe that a fire truck full of basics is better than an ambulance with a medic? Because a lot of time and money has been spent to mislead them into believing so. In the case mentioned initially I believe that it is an attempt to purposefully mislead the public again, and that is way more than I need to disagree with it. Asked if it bothers me that all levels are called medics in Canada...I can't really say. If the public understands the difference in level of care, then no. If the public believes that a medic is a medic is a medic, then yes, I disagree with it. Contrary to popular opinion, the public will often make intelligent decisions when given the information needed to do so. So long as we continue to allow inaccurate, misleading, and at times blatantly, purposefully, deceptive information to permeate the public perception of EMS then positive change, (defined in my world, in this context, as giving the public information they need to intelligently decided on the level of care they wish to pay for in their communities), will be very difficult at best, impossible at worst. Dwayne

Man...one of the things that makes me crazy is not having the time to participate fully in these discussions like I'd like, though I’m not sure I’d have had a lot to add to Annie and Michael’s discussion. Ironically the discussion between Michael and Annie reminded me of possibly the best thread ever here, which also wasn't EMS related, but was religion based. I think, or hope at least, that one of the reasons Michael, and LetMeSleep were discouraged by the attacks as opposed to the exploration of such a ridiculous post is that attacking, by it's very nature, disallows this type of discussion. See what we might have missed simply by wallowing in self righteousness instead of benefitting from the mental exercise of the dissection? When these things occur I think we all benefit by wondering, “How can we explore this and end up better, smarter?” Instead of, “How can I most poignantly display by indignity so that everyone can see that I am very much better than this person?” Outstanding discussion all... Dwayne

Actually, I'm solidly on board with the OP. Don't want to pay for medics? Simply pay for Intermediates and call them medics, bullshitting the public of course. Not to mention you'll have a waiting list of Intermediates that are willing to work for peanuts so that they can be called medics without having to bother with all that additional schoolin'. It's ridiculous, dishonest, dangerous, and another thing that's holding EMS back. Great post. Dwayne

C'mon folks...I tend to believe that his post was meant to be funny, like the original post. And if so, I applaud him! Not often you can get so many so panties in a bunch with such a silly statement!! If meant to be funny, outstanding post!! Please don't be a stranger here...the forums have been lacking deep thought of late.... If meant seriously, then he's obviously a Troll...why get so shook up over him? Guys and gals...we really need to get back to thinking here instead of looking for the easy kills.... Dwayne

That's cool chbare!! And ak is right..all of that stuff will not only get taken away but may also get you jammed up in the airports as well as here. When do you come? Pm me your real name would you? So I can watch for you.... Keep your chin up... Dwayne

I think this is vital. I tend to believe that you're learning next to nothing when you don't get a little nervous with new stuff, 'specially hands on stuff. We all wanted to be the student the 'nailed it' or looked good and confident when everyone else was fumbling...but the fumblers, at least those that can think and fumble at the same time, are getting a much better experience. They are learning to think in that state, and some day you will be in that state and someone's life will depend on you thinking. Read your book, relax, go into the experience with the intent to learn not simply to perform, and you'll do great! Great post ol' man. Dwayne

A few things...First, congratulations! I'm impressed with your post! Smart, respectful, good job. Unfortunately, many of those posting after couldn't show you the respect to respond with correct spelling, capitalization and punctuation. I think there were some smart responses but they were lost in the 3rd grade presentations. Also, CaliMedic209, good questions but it's more respectful when you have questions on a completely different topic that you start a new thread so that others will continue to answer the original posters questions in the thread he started. Just trying to help you understand, not trying to take your head off. Lastly, the first, most important skill for a medic is calmness. You can't think and respond correctly if your head is all bunched up. And assessment IS Paramedicine. Make sure you take your time, even when the ca ca hits the fan, to seek out all of your signs and symptoms, develop your differential and then make intelligent treatment decisions. It doesn't matter if you look like Super Medic if you aren't treating intelligently and verifying positive results. See? Good luck to you. I have a feeling you're going to be a super medic and an asset to the City...Thanks for posting. Dwayne

Good for you!!! Spend a little time celebrating...do something fun and silly for a change...and then get ready to climb the next mountain.... Take a deep breath....pat yourself on the back...you did good. Dwayne

What a ridiculously macho thing to say. Of course you didn't all survive, and very few grew up to be well adjusted. Speaking of your generation of course.... Some died quicky, some died slowly, some continued through life only partially the person they were before... Based on your reasoning then surly you think it's silly to use seatbelts and bike helmets, right? Guys, just because you can think of something macho to say doesn't mean it makes any sense. When we know better, we do better. Finding that we need to make positive changes does not make this a world of sissies...it simply means we're becoming smart enough to care for those that can't care for themselves... In the last few months it seems that even many that were not that way before suddely feel that the 'tough' or 'macho' answer is best, even if it's stupid. C'mon guys...we can all do better than this. Dwayne

You know Wendy I'm sure you've not missed the fact that Dr. Bledsoe has posted here on occasion, even responding to chuckleheads like me.... I'm thinking he'd be thrilled to death to help a basic working on her Bachelors as well as one of the smartest people on the board... What can it hurt? Dwayne

None of those..... But I am convinced that my stethoscope is magic...When I have MY stethoscope all is calm and right with the world, everything makes perfect sense, lines up just right...when I don't I suddenly have to think harder about everything, pay more attention, can’t seem to hear the things I want to.... B.S. of course...but it works for me so I just let it be....and keep a close eye that my stethoscope doesn't get lost... :wink: Dwayne

Man, one of the most damaged posts I've read here in a while...and the posts in the last month make that a difficult award to give.... It was simply a way to prod her into taking personal responsibility, at least that’s the way that I read it. Yes, exactly as they've been taught. Kids are not raised in a void, they are not responsible for their upbringing, stop trying to blame them for your failures. Bullshit. There are tons of tools out there...if you chose not to take advantage of them then shame on you. You are often unable to use proper grammar and punctuation, please don't ask us to believe that you've taken the time to learn to intelligently parent children. You need more than your opinion to back up this statement that there was nothing to be done. Double bullshit. Of course you were happy as it removed you from the damaged situation that you had created. We are all happy when the ugliness we’ve created suddenly goes away. Families, in my view, are for support, for sharing and celebrating. They are not, in my view, for dumping our problems on. You had opportunities to learn, for counseling, to change yourself in order to change your child, yet you chose to run. Do no allow yourself to pretend that that was the only option. It’s not good for you to lie to yourself. Good for him, he’s showing that perhaps he can become a healthy person now that he’s on his own. Again, a personal choice you made by choosing to remain ignorant of child rearing principles and also why you were offended by Kaisu’s comment. You seem unwilling at this point to accept anything that points responsibility for raising your children to you. Some day, when you grow up a bit, you’ll hopefully see these things differently. Both you and the OP have options, you’ve simply chosen to ignore them and take the easy way out. I know you’re going to be majorly pissed by these comments, but maybe you shouldn’t be. You do what you know, at this point neither of you seem to know better. Not knowing better is not shameful, continuing not to know better when you know there are options is shameful. I wish you both the best of luck, and even more so for your kids. Dwayne

Good luck chbare.... If you get tired of the boys and want to hang out with the men for a bit, come see us in Afghanistan! :wink: Take care buddy, be safe. Dwayne

Well, hell...it seems to have worked! I showed up almost immediately....Dang women..... Dwayne

I almost always will for truckers or those that appear to be working, or moving vans with families in them, etc. But I also pick up hitch hikers and stop for anyone broken down. The same behavior I would give Barbara grief over... As Vent said though, I'm in an area where there is little to no gang activity, the roads I mostly travel, (Well, not now, as I walk everywhere) are country, mostly straight and longgggg....I wouldn't do the same thing in a larger city. As someone mentioned before me, or something like it, I believe the neighborhood unity it builds, strangers helping strangers, far outweighs the risk of aiding someone that has, or is about to, harm someone else. Hopefully it goes without saying I'm not going to assist those driving crazy fast, weaving, or doing any other thing that I may consider dangerous. Dwayne

Dwayne bends Wendy over his knee...."Do" Whack "Not" Whack "Be" Whack "Baited" Whack "By" Whack "Idiots" Whack "That" Whack "Can't" Whack "Form" Whack "Intelligent" Whack "Thoughts!!" Pat, pat pat.... I know this violates my feelings on spanking, but sometimes exceptions must be made... Dwayne

Hell, this is a no brainer for me. You're one of the smarter people on the board...you'll make an awsome medic... Good luck to both of you.... Dwayne

Well, I'd hoped beyond hope that you'd catch the irony...shame on me... Dwayne

Will you be responisble for a large part of your families financial support? Is it important for you to spend quality time with your kids? If the answer to these two questions is "yes" then go to nursing school. The only advantage EMS has is that you get to drive with lights and sirens....Very little professional respect, horrible wages most places...decent if you go into a war zone....and lots and lots of hours.... There is personal fulfillment, which is fine if you don't need to earn money for your family, so that your income will be play money. Then there is personal responsibility...almost impossible to fulfill both as a medic without being a hosemonkey. Good luck!! Dwayne