LasVegasEMTI

Still around... Though much has changed (namely, I am no longer in Las Vegas, and I am a Paramedic). I keep up with some of the old crew via FB now. Things changed for me after Dust passed, his loss was deep for myself and a few others. Hope everyone is doing well :)

It doesn't surprise me. The LVRJ has nothing better to do, since they obviously don't spend ANY time getting facts right for their news stories. I'm surprised they still have any subscribers in the valley. Sorry you have to go through this, I just don't see how you are responsible in any way at all for a posting in which you did not encourage, suggest, promote or give affirmation to.

ironic... im on the other side of the country, but i was just reminded of my first code... i ran it with this guy haha

Not that what I have to say means much, nor do I represent my employer in any of my statements... Here in the metro LV area, hopping curbs and opposing traffic is a necessity. You try getting from Flamingo & Eastern to Ceasar's Palace on a Saturday night with multiple conventions, NBA All-Star weekend and your usual weekend travellers during rush hour (which I think we have like 3 or 4 of those lol)... you might as well just not respond if you're going to stay on the right side of the road the whole time! We have time demands from our County, and although it is our responsibility to put forth effort in making times, we have no reprimanding as a crew, only the company has to pay the fines. As for driving in the breakdown... I am adamant about staying left. I will sit behind cars and wait for them to move to the right even if the two lanes to their right are wide open. Its their job to go right, its my job to stay left. With that being said, the highways can pose a tricky situation, especially when traffic is backed up (as it often is here). If I do go into the breakdown lane, it is at a speed much less than the speed limit, and my lights & sirens are turned off. That is my preference, others take different positions on that. This is all responding to calls. If it is a code 3 return back to the hospital (which we really don't do all that often), I will not jump curbs, I will barely break the speed limit... my L&S simply become my tool to get through traffic lights and hopefully advise people that we're coming. With medical calls, I often go even below the speed limit as much can be done by us prehospitally and a smooth ride is necessary. If its a massive multi-system trauma, we try to get all interventions done asap and get to the hospital quickly... only bright lights and shiny knives will save them. As I said, all these statements are mine and mine alone.

HAHAHAHAHA old man!!! miss ya dude ) Lovingly, LasVegasEMTI, est. 1984

Here in Vegas we make even less than that Timmy... I do have to say, I CHOSE this city, I CHOSE this job, and I ACCEPT the pay (or lack thereof). It doesn't mean I am happy or satisfied with it, or that I don't plan on furthing my career in medicine otherwise... but this life is what we create it to be! If you don't like it, change it or move!

If we get there first, we bring our jump bag (which has everything in it that the ambulance has in the back, just not so many of each item- which includes but is not limited to intubation kit, airway "stuff", bleeding control, BP cuffs, IV kit, drugs, etc.), and our Phillips monitor (rock on with the on-screen 12-Lead!). And of course our stretcher, which has frame mounted O2, a sheet on it, an extra sheet for modesty or cold pt, and occassionally a towel and blanket. Suction also comes with us for Cardiac Arrest. Backboards and C-Collars as necessary, often brought as precaution in the high rises. We do not carry our clipboards, but every jump bag has AMA forms in the back, as they are the only form you need on scene, if any. If fire gets there first, we just bring our stretcher. Unless the building is greater than three stories and we are running with an engine or truck (as opposed to a rescue), per protocol we have to bring all our gear. Somedays the engines are ALS engines, somedays only ILS. Of course there are times when specialized equipment is brought in. For pediatrics, we have a Peds ALS jump kit. Same as the regular one, just with Ped-sized equipment. If it's a imminent birth we also bring in an OB kit incase we have to deliver on scene. Really the only thing I've ever had to go back to the truck for was backboards. And often its because it wasn't a traumatic call, it's just being used for patient movement. Oh, and we are to go nowhere without our portable radios. They have a button on them called a "Code 5" button. When pressed, it sets off an alarm in our dispatch, in AMR's dispatch, and in FAO's dispatch (I think). Your radio ID also comes across a monitor in the dispatch. Code 5 here in Las Vegas means there is a danger to your life and assistance is needed immediately. When you press the button, dispatch will come over the radio and ask if you are "Code 4" which means everything is okay, there are no threats. If no response, they will ask again and for a location and further information. If no response still, they will just track you with our AVL's. You will get two ambulances (from either agency), a supervisor from your agency, fire and Metro (our PD). Fortunately this doesn't have to be used very often, but occassionally it does. A few weeks back one of our crews was shot at. I am glad they have a system in place for it!

I have the tactical all-black Littmann Master Cardiology... I am also hard of hearing, so I have added 6.5 ET tubes to the exposed part of the headset... It works wonders. As for cost- it was tactically acquired from my old roommate... :-P jk he gave it to me when he got a new one. Not that this is of importance, but I also had a dog tag (a real one engraved at petco) made with my name, number and company on it. It won't stop people from stealing it if they really want it, but it will at least help those who aren't klepto's return it to me safely. Ashley... "LV"

As has already been said, it's all about the individual in the situation. Most people have their "thing" that they have a hard time dealing with... for me, it's when people cough anything up. I don't mind people throwing up, going to the bathroom, bleeding, etc... but if it comes from the throat or lungs, it makes me want to puke. A lot of people have difficulty with eye injuries, which is logical if you really try to think about it. My toughest eye injury so far was standing there next to my 20 yr old patient as the trauma doc told him that they would be taking his eye out. My heart just broke for him. But even these do not compare to the uneasiness of aftermath. When a wife comes in and asks if he's ok as he codes in front of you. When you transfer a 3 year old boy with bone cancer to a higher level of care, and again a month later finding out his cancer has spread throughout his entire body. When you print out your six-second asystole strip and their fourteen year old daughter asks why you aren't doing anything. When doc calls 'time of death' on a fellow firefighter that you poured your heart and soul into trying to save. When in a period of two weeks, your hear eight pediatric codes dispatched. When you are sent to pick up the mom for psychiatric care because a field death was called on their three week old son that morning. Trauma and medical calls cannot compare to the emotional calls you have after punching out for the night. Fortunately, a lot of us have great support systems within our workplace, ranging from CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) to EAP (Employee Assistance Program) to simply talking with coworkers who understand. It's a part of this business, we deal with it everyday. Use your resources if you get into it.