Scaramedic

Whoa, has the mighty FD PR department started to lose it? Don't worry they'll put up some pictures of kids and all will be fine. :roll: Peace, Marty

You vapor locked, no big deal. You saw something a normal human being should never see, a living persons brain. This is a normal reaction, in time you will respond differently. You will never get used to stuff like that but you will learn to deal with it better. Cut yourself some slack and chalk it up to a learning experience. Also don't be afraid to admit that part of you was thinking "wow that is so cool." We all do it. Peace, Marty

silicon

You know watching that clip I realized that as crazy as Tom Sizemore acted in that movie isn't half as bat-shiit crazy he is now in real life. Sad Really, Marty

Good points Tniuqs though I should of added part of the reason I choose that approach is high probability that we are not going to transport after reviving an OD. More and more I am finding hospitals (who are increasingly overloaded and understaffed) are not appreciating the old approach of bringing the patient back to A to V and then letting them sleep it off in the ER. So more and more I am bringing them back to A&O and letting them decide transport, most are refusing and PD doesn't really give a damn anymore to arrest. If the Narcan doesn't work then I can upgrade the airway to ETI. I would also like to see some new airways to give us more of a choice. I do not like the new alternatives though, maybe I am to old school. LMA- Trained in these by an Anesthesiologist who absolutely loved them. Then again he (by his own admission)rarely deals with trauma. I haven't used it yet but I am still a little iffy on it. King LT - Not in our system yet. Combitube - My favorite backup, only used it a couple of times though. PTL - Never used it, not in my system. Personally I would like to see a combo BVM/Combitube type pharyngeal device, no not an EOA, but something quick and easy to use. Something minimally invasive that can secure the trachea quickly and be used by any level of EMT. I agree it shoudld not be a protocol issue but a provider using his education and experience to decide the airway. Unfortunately lots of people do not like to use their noodle. Peace, Marty

"No Trained Paramedics" Sounds like a good thing to me, I'd rather have EDUCATED Paramedics. I can TRAIN my dog. Peace, Marty

Can we use baseball bats or tasers or something?? :twisted: Peace, Marty

Saliva has a new album, one of the songs is great for runs. "Ladies & Gentleman" it has some real heavy guitar mixed with some mellow moments to answer the radio. Peace, Marty P.S. Public Enemy was and is the Shiit!!!

Let me give you one quick scenario of the situations I am talking about in this post. A heroin OD who is apneic or damn near apneic. Rather than intubate and then extubate after a bolus of Narcan I prefer to drop an OPA. The patient can be bagged effectively and the OPA can be pulled easily after their LOC increases. Peace, Marty

Cher

Yes and no. Yes, some people in EMS tend to bitch a lot and I mean a lot. These people also tend to take their frustrations out on students. Some even have the attitude that they should not have to be teaching only observing. This is probably why, in my opinion, they are bitching to the instructors instead of talking one on one with the student. These type of Medics should not be precepting anyone. No not everyone in EMS is like that, most of us are open to questions and love to teach. Do not judge all of EMS based on the attitude of some people at one service. Also keep in mind you are an outsider to them so you probably will not be "part of the team." Peace, Marty

Part of the problem with ETI is so many Medics are quick to drop that tube when other measures might be more effective. A simple adjunct such as an OPA is sometimes all a patient needs. Unfortunately an OPA is just not as "Johnny and Roy" to a lot of Medics. Personally I try to avoid ETI as much as possible. Luckily I have worked in busy systems which still means I'll probably be dropping numerous tubes a week anyway. Some cases were a tube can be essential: burns with airway compromise, allergic reactions where the airway is quickly being lost, unresponsive puking patients and severe bleeding compromising the airway. That is just a small list of the top of my head. I was taught start small and work up, try the simple adjuncts before you pick up that laryngoscope. If you have to argue with the patient about whether or not they need a tube, they probably don't need it (at least not yet). Peace, Marty

grumpy

dip

No Way, I can't stand their beer!!!! Peace, Marty

tortillas

To all the new people, Welcome. Be careful about people giving you candy here though. Peace, Marty

I mostly agree with everyone else, my experience with 'drama' tends to be with newer Medics and Basics. Though I do have to disagree with one point AK brought, the best partner (Basic) I ever had was about as experienced as anyone out there, 18 yrs. We had a few rather intense discussions, though not related to treatment but rather transport. She really did not like dealing with the intoxicated open air living crowd. Only one dual system person has ever crossed the line of suggestion to a full blown blow-our and she was a brand new Medic who worked as a Basic for about 2 years. Her attitude really changed after she got that ''P" behind her name. I agree that the dual Medic seems to work better, at least for me. I think it is because you can both take a path on interventions, "I'll tube em you get the line and catch the monitor" kind of thing. Where as a Basic tends to want to be involved and might seem pushy and over think the situation and their training. Also it might come down to feelings of being inadequate as a new Medic or as a Basic.

That's a whole load reading there m'am, so I might a missed it. Is she A&O?? Peace, Marty Edit: Changed son to m'am.

We were going to do a transfer from Portland to Reno, roughly 450 miles. The company was going to give us $75 each for a hotel room after we dropped off the patient. Our plan was to drop off the patient, change into civillian clothes, gamble away the money and sleep in the unit. Unfortunately the patient died about two hours before transport. Peace, Marty

fly

burn

Yeah, I know. I am trying to be positive also. Peace, Marty

That's my point Phil it's always "PARAMEDIC ARRESTED." I can tell you why, most reporters have a real hard on for any public officials, it's their bread and butter. Peace, Marty

morose