Ridryder 911

If you work the holiday we time and a half.. if you don't work it, you don't get it.. period. R/r 911

That is part of the problem of EMS, is full of excuses. Sorry, I review patient care reports daily and see the poor spelling, grammar is non-excusable as well as a poor demonstration of the professional. One can only judge a person by their communication technique, and the way they demonstrate it. Don't believe me, go into the court of law when they have the run report enlarged 6 feet by 6 feet and see the poor documentation. Others judge you by what you say, how you write, and actions. One does not have to have degrees, licensure, to communicate at a 4'th grade level. There is no excuse for ignorance and laziness. R/r 911

Chances are it is a comminuted fracture. basically splintered due to the velocity and awl of the bullets and pellets. If it is mid shaft primary) than yes, a traction. if it appears other than such ..no. Puling traction on femur fractures, that located more proximal, or even distal condyles can actually cause more damage. As well, if it a GSW, with more than that isolated case, I would b more worried of vascular damage and other potential injuries and be using more simplistic and rapid devices. Since this is multiple GSW, I myself would not be waisting time with a traction, and be focusing on more possible injuries, if the victim was struck multiple times.. if the patient had no distal pulses in the leg,.. and traction worked, of course placed one.. but again, look at the whole picture. R/r 911

Where are you located at? I was not aware of any ALS private non-transport? I would definitely, check my finances since Oklahoma (if that is where you are considering) requires a minimal bond ( I believe $1,000,000) to be able to start one. As well, what location and community you are considering. I have the names and email addresses of several EMS managers as well as Oklahoma EMS Operators website, that can assist or give you advice. There are several communities, in the need of EMS at this time, that wold be great. Be sure to have proper billing as well, as well I have some contacts local that is billing for EMS, at reasonable price and has a good return percentage. R/r 911

And just to think if our major companies pulled out of your country, what you would have.. and actually to think of it, what has Canada really ever contributed, except of haven to our draft-dodgers? R/r 911

Part of the problem with this and the world to day is respectability. I just noticed, someone has made a site of Steve Irwin with a game of a sting ray chasing him... and sound bites saying "crikey". Now, really is this funny? Are we all so calloused to human lives and emotions, that juvenile games that truly immature persons would have to say a woo-hoo! Many will say, "what is the big deal.. a little humor?.. What could be more serious than the loss of a human life? So why is remembrance so important? So that their significance of lives will be remembered. Yes, human lives were destroyed, not only to those that was in the towers, Pentagon, flights that was encountered and yes by the numerous rescuers (F.D., EMS, LEO, etc.). There were survivors that still attempt to go on.. yes, it's easy to say this, when you were not the ones affected. True, lives are taken everyday and yes, we too should honor and them as well. It is a cold fact, numbers always will supersede those individuals in press releases, etc. Go back 20 to 30 years, it would had been appalling to be so disrespectful of the dead, and more so to the living, by developing games, parody, and smug remarks. Have we been so entwined with the statement of "it is my right" they forget the other part of that .."being responsible" and being responsible not to harm or offend the innocent others? Again respectabililty and having compassion for another human. Something, appearantly the world has lost. So what makes an individual to make such games or such? Warped humor, apathy to others so much that they don't care or have respect of the dead or living? Appearantly so.. maybe a make buck or two.. or maybe some form of gratification in their misearable life to make them feel superior... immaturity from those that have never lost loved ones...? Who knows, maybe some research pychologist can form an opinion. R/r 911

Huh?I don't read or see any of the mention they took the wrong test?.. I did read that the Chief describes there was a shortage, and they appearantly pushed some through the testing and got caught. Poor education and preparation caused them to fail. Not knowing on how to treat simplistic and general medical care as scorpion and snake bite is unexcusable, and why should "they" have a special test? Again, we are throwing the bath water out with the baby ... and not affording the test, when most pay a hell of a lot more in union dues a month.. c'mon. If theywere given the wrong test even Intermediate (whatever level) most of the questions are based upon the basic curriculum, and would have allowed many to pass even on that thought. Excuses.. excuses.. that is part of EMS problems, instead of dealing with the true problems. R/r 911

One looses all credibility when you state an odd number using a manual cuff. Simple enough, the numbers as you described are in even numbers, the same as a pulse rate, should be given in even numbers as well. Ths is basic medical procedures, and part of the general medical terminology and documentation procedures. I doubt one could actually as you even describe see or hear in-between numbers. R/r 911

Ditto.. as others have stated. R/r 911

I agree, it is somewhat confusing; however if you do not know the area, you cannot probably understand the situation. We are talking about a small rural community. As far as P.D., you might have the the full force of 8 officers there and in this area.. the crowds can grow rapidly as news and as James described "potentially gang related " should have gave you a clue of the type and caliber of people. Gangs in the rural areas are growing in number much faster than in urban areas, in comparison. Sure, saying the scene is safe, awaiting for P.D. etc. is nice to say and even nicer if one can perform it, but I too have been in situations where it was as dangerous awaiting for help, than to initiate care. Sure, could it be done better maybe.. maybe not.. and again if you were not there it is way to easy to play armchair quarterback. Sorry, James you were misinterpreted and mis-understood.. yes, you probably made errors, but if you did the best you could at the time.. so be it.. and learn off your errors, like the rest of us do, and chalk it up on experience. Hang in there... R/r 911

Okay, here we go.. admission from the chief, that his staff is too stupid to pass the NREMT/P (in which has one of the highest pass rate, for cert test) OMG how embarrassing, to have such representation that admitted, that his crews were to ignorant to study fr a national EMS test. Instead of correcting the problem, create one instead. For all you new members of the profession, want to know what is wrong with EMS? ....there it is! Amazing, no other medical profession gets to decide what to study and be tested upon, does this as well mean we get to test the firefighters on their test?... fair is only fair... I hope those firefighters, do stay in that area. They would never make it here.. I do have snakes and scorpions in my area, and even the ocean is several hundred miles, we teach and educate on marine life emergencies as well... for we teach and expect our medics to be educated for emergencies. I would love to hear and discuss this with this "so-called chief".. it would be interesting to really see his validation. R/r 911

Evidence base medicine, is essential in patient care we need to know, why, how, and what is being performed in treating or patients. As well, one needs to know the theory and have an understanding of research as well. One cannot read a study, and presume it is always accurate and fairly representative, and should look at several factors in the research such as population, statistical data, and type of research method used. R/r 911

I have done chest decompressions on infants (which is not unusual, to have a pneumothorax). Never and hopefully never on a child... R/r 911

Not all states, will honor that Paramedic certification as well. I know mine will not, you must have attended the full NHTSA Paramedic program, along with applied number of clinical hours. Be very leery of short cuts... not all states will honor nursing, paramedic etc.. I agree, CEN, CCRN, will open doors, must have experience and clinical strengths in these areas, to take the test. I as of yet have ever been paid more than a $1.00/hr for the additional titles (usually more maxed out after two certification). It is more for professional development and to as discussed to open career paths.. and you can find my other responses as noted earlier. R/r 911

First, I have been to Okmlugee ER and there is no way to get 300 people in the parking lot.. but, I can attest in Okmulgee, the society and make up of the socioeconomic (trying to be politically correct here) I can see where this might happen though.. sorry James, but you have to admit it sounded wild,.. hang in there and callous up.. you know this is the usual EMS response.. tell me, show me, show me proof, then I might believe you.. Soundsl like a cluster f**k... R/r 911

Nothing loading... maybe another site? R/r 911

Contact your state EMS official and NREMT and the discuss this with them, for only they can give the official answer. R/r 911

Yeah, hmm didn,t see any or hear of state news either... snifff. ... sniff I smell b..s....oh by the way it's spelled xanax..and what bird was flying last Sat. when most was (yellow or red) grounded for weather? R/r 911

So true... however, at my service we have 3 females and they all under 50kg.. weird, I know... R/r 911

I am composing a lecture on Lab Values for the Paramedic.. when? I get through, I will post a link for the powerpoint for those interested. This is one of the areas, that we in EMS are definitely lacking in. Lab, is like part of the physical examination, and the Paramedic should know the main compartments. Knowledge of the numbers is really irrelevant, due to to the diverse numbers per lab,,, but a general knowledge of normal/abnormal and what they represent is the main key. R/r 911

Sorry to hear of his loss, we in EMS will miss him. These pioneers, will be greatly missed. R/r 911

Good points to all.. in fact, most of the most people I honor and find the most credible, is the ones that do make mistakes, however; learn off them and never repeat them. Credibility and integrity is not only work related.. and really ,when one think of people having these characteristics, they present this all the time. R/r 911

What I find ironic is someone actually asking about boots, or pants?... Either your service purshcase them, have a certain type or allows one to purchase themselves... find some that works for you... R/r 911