Lone Star

AK, I'll admit, I haven't been around nearly as much as I used to be, but each and every one of my friends here is very special to me. I can totally relate to the situation you're in, as I continually wrestle with the same conundrum each renewal cycle. My COPD isn't going to get any better and it's getting harder and harder to hump gear. Please know that you've been instrumental in the shaping of many careers, and at the same time, sent a bunch of 'hacks and quacks' packing back to the locker room. Remember that even if you do let the EMT-P license go, you've got a lot of friends here, and your knowledge of our craft will always be invaluable. Besides, where would some of these 'wet behind the ears, know nothing, snot nosed EMT's be without 'Old Road Dogs' like us, whacking them with our canes once in a while?

I'm also not 'anti-vax'...I AM anti-mandate! I have questions that no one is able to answer, and until they are, I'm not getting the vaccine. There has been far too much disinformation published, and when facts to refute the disinformation is posted, it gets censored. I'm tired of it all! First off, to my knowledge only 1 vaccine has been FDA approved, the other two are still being distributed under the Emergency Use Act. Since they haven't received full FDA approval, they're still considered 'experimental drugs'.

I'm so sorry to hear this! My deepest condolences to family and friends LS

Address cards and letters to: Jennifer Johnson 931 W 1st Street San Pedro, Ca 90731

This is what I wear..... https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1504627/relic-garrett-stainless-steel-watch-zr15709-men.jsp?skuid=94388795&ci_mcc=ci&utm_campaign=CASELINE WATCHES&utm_medium=CSE&utm_source=bing&CID=shopping20&utm_campaignid=73065137&utm_adgroupid=2721884604&gclid=CJHUieKluN4CFYZbgQodlwwPNA&gclsrc=ds

https://www.facebook.com/events/263537221014964/ I am still working on a mailing address LS

I believe he was 28, and the wedding was to be next year. I'll check with Jennifer (his fiancé) to see if I can get an address to send cards and such to. She is trying to put together a memorial for him. When I know more, I'll pass it on....

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I must inform the members of EMT City of the passing of Tyler Hastings. Many of you knew him as 'Hasty' or 'Hastyl'. He contracted the flu, which progressed to pneumonia. The resulting dehydration resulted in renal shut down and was complicated by a myocardial infarction. He passed at 0840 hours on 31 OCT 18. Tyler was considered one of the 'Old Guys' here in the City and was one of the first members that joined. He was quick to help the rookies, and loved to terrorize the 'whackers'. His presence will be sorely missed by many, and I offer my condolences to each and every one of you. Brett Lang, GA-EMT-I Lone Star

I just got the news, I'm speechless. Jess was definitely 'top notch'.....My condolences to family and friends.

Back to school, at Ruffmeister University.....

My deepest and most sincere condolences to Dwayne, Dylan and the friends and family of Barbara. My prayers are with you Dwayne, in your time of sorrow.

Take your school books, and do your homework during the 'down time'. Ask questions, but not the ones you already should know the answers to, (Why do the prongs on the nasal cannula go inside the nares and not the ears?). Do not be afraid to get involved in the call. You're not an observer, you're a student that is there to learn the 'hands on' aspect of the profession. RELAX, your FTO/Preceptor isn't expecting a lot of experience, but they're not expecting a total bonehead either. LEAVE THE PHONE ALONE! You're not there to play on social media. Taking pictures of patients and their 'owies' is ALWAYS a bad idea. There will be moments that you'll see something that the whole class may be wanting to see (like the results of car vs oak tree) but its ALWAYS in poor form to go snapping pics.

My deepest and most sincere condolences to the Sparks family and friends in their time of grief. Ed was a great asset to all EMTs of every level. I'll remember his patience, humor and dedication to the field of EMS.

I am an advocate of leaving the 'medical stuff' to the 'medical folks'. Sure, Band-Aids on boo-boos is alright, but putting pharmaceuticals in the hands of the uneducated/improperly trained can never be a 'good thing'.... Correct me if I'm wrong here, but doesn't the amount needed to improve respiration depend on the amount of the opiate in the system? Is the LEO drug box going to be enough to properly mitigate the situation? If LEO want to get into medical, they should go to school like the rest of us.

First off, improper administration of Naloxone can induce: Abrupt reversal of opioid effects in persons who are physically dependent on opioids may precipitate an acute withdrawal syndrome which may include, but is not limited to, the following signs and symptoms: body aches, fever, sweating, runny nose, sneezing, piloerection, yawning, weakness, shivering or trembling, nervousness, restlessness or irritability, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, abdominal cramps, increased blood pressure, tachycardia. In the neonate, opioid withdrawal may also include: convulsions; excessive crying; hyperactive reflexes. The rest of your sarcastic (and highly unnecessary) post included a lot of 'talk' and 'ifs', so it's based on facts not entered into evidence. EMS education in the United States still tends to accommodate the 'lowest common denominator', and with only 120 hours of classroom education and 24 hours of clinical experience, it's not a good idea to start pushing pharmaceuticals until an education system is implemented that accommodates higher educational requirements for entry level EMS (another topic that has been beaten to death).

Having been an EMT for 12 years before "moving up the 'food chain', so I can say this with some authority: I'll start with the standard "120 hours of class room education" argument. Having sat through the EMT-B course twice (with a significant interval in between classes), I can attest that the EMT-B program really hasn't changed much, and the young EMT's are still being taught irrelevant information, and it is not adequate enough to start administering pharmaceuticals (especially those with such serious ramifications when administered incorrectly). Additionally, is the EMT-B really equipped and trained to deal with the effects of improper administration of Narcan? The EMT-B is barely taught more than the superficial mechanics of the body systems, and not to think about the 'why' of treatments. If it's bleeding, stop the bleeding (insert ICE mnemonic here), if it's not breathing, ventilate, if it's at an odd angle, splint it....high flow O2 , and rapid transport (radio for ALS intercept if necessary). Is this REALLY the educational level that is appropriate for the administration of Narcan? I'm in no way busting the chops of the EMT-B, but I AM railing against the educational levels that they receive. I'm also advocating for the patient, which I can see ending up in dire straits because of an inadequately trained, over zealous EMT-B 'slamming Narcan'...

Isn't the 'loading dose' of Narcan 2mg? One of the factors I would take into consideration is the age of the patient. If I remember correctly, the elderly tend to have more dramatic reactions to narcotics (and possibly the blocking of the opiate uptake?). The "less than loading dose" theory sounds good, and I can see the logic in fractional dosing in this case to more closely monitor cause/effect. Is this a process that is widely used?

Fortunately, things here in GA have been pretty quiet since the verdict was read. As far as George Zimmerman goes, since he didn't stick to the 'observe and report' duties of his Neighborhood Watch Program, I think that there should be some sort of consequences for his actions. In Michigan, the 'Stand Your Ground' law provides protection in a JUSTIFIED shooting situation that you shall be held free from criminal and civil liability. I don't think that in this case that the protections of this law should be invoked. It's clear that Mr. Zimmerman SHOULD have stuck to the 'observe and report' functions, but didn't It's been suggested that Mr. Martin had a record of violent and criminal infractions in his past, and that he used/abused drugs. It's painfully clear Mr. Martin is being painted as an 'angel', while Mr. Zimmerman is being portrayed as a 'saint'. Unfortunatley, the truth is nowhere near by.... Mot Penal Codes will provide for self-defense, with 'equal and opposite force', meaning that if Dwayne slaps me with an open hand, then I'm only justified in slapping hi9m back. If I come at Dwayne with a 2x4, then he would be justified in breaking out "old Faithful" (a Louisville Slugger baseball bat) to defend himself. Introduce a weapon, (gun, knife, baseball bat, pipe, etc) then all bets are off and someone is going to get shot.... I don't know who actually initiated the confrontation, but Mr. Martin paid with his life....since both are at fault, I think there should be some 'punishment' for the other participant as well....(NOT that I'm saying that Mr. Marting deserved what he got).... As far as mikeymedic1984, we've seen that rancid vomitus before.....

I think that 'featuring' anyone who commits terrorism, mass murder or any other violent crimes on the cover of any magazine is only playing into the perpetrator's search for 'fame and glory'. There is NO need to epitomize ANY person who gets their kicks by killing or maiming as many people as they can for some misguided cause.....

If I had tried to do something like "I'll call 9-1-1 if you try to discipline me!', I would have been told that while on the phone with the cops, go ahead and ask them to send an ambulance at the same time...because I would need it by the time they got there to stop him......

With Alexis Wright?

Nudidity Good!

Haven't been 'too much' of anything lately. Just dealing with a boss who's an elitist and all around jerk......seems all I do is work and go home.....only to find that the boss has once again found a way to screw me over. No worries though, got an interview tomorrow with the local hospital. Looking into PCT (Patient Care Tech) for the momen...just to get out of the hell hole I'm in right now.... Still not sure if I've got enough in the tank to try a third run at Medic....

Patrick Henry may have said "Give me liberty, or give me death!", but I choose to adapt that quote.... GIVE ME COFFEE OR SOMEONE IS GONNA DIE!