akflightmedic

Mar 8, 2007 Photos & Movies "The Call." by Later this year Kal Penn will be shooting a pilot for ABC called "The Call." It's from the producers of "24." It's a single camera, half-hour comedy about two EMT's in L.A. Penn's new movie, "The Namesake," comes out this Friday.

If you did research and kept up with the times, you would know some systems already do chest tubes in the field. One of the systems I worked for in Alaska allowed us to perform them due to long response/transport times and limited resources. So, once again your supportive argument is flawed.

Airboat....think Miami Vice, flat boat with big fan behind you as you race through the Everglades I am glad you caught that about the ankle. There are several points about this article I did not mention as I wish to see what others say about it. The ankle was one of them (Backboarded and on O2).

Southern Vermont No charges in botched rescue February 28, 2007 By Susan Smallheer Herald Staff NEWPORT, N.H. — No criminal charges will be filed in connection with the failed rescue of an elderly Vermont woman, who drowned last summer in the Connecticut River when the airboat she was strapped into sank. Marc Hathaway, the Sullivan County attorney, said Tuesday that the mistakes by the rescue crew and the driver of the Cornish Rescue Squad's new airboat did not rise to the level of negligent homicide in the death of Virginia Yates, 64, of Rockingham. Hathaway said that while many mistakes were made in the Aug. 22 rescue attempt, none by themselves caused the death of Yates, a retired cook. "The risk became apparent only after the craft was under way," he said. "They fully expected the trip to be made safely. Their behavior does not rise to the level of criminal conduct." Yates drowned when the airboat sank about a half mile from Hoyt's Landing, a public boat access on the Vermont side of the river. She was strapped onto a backboard and rescue litter, which in turn was strapped to the boat. Yates, who had been out on the river with a friend earlier in the day, had twisted her ankle and fallen when they stopped at a private dock in Springfield so Yates could go to the bathroom. At an afternoon press conference in the Sullivan County Courthouse in Newport, Hathaway said the four rescue workers, including EMT George Wheeler of the Springfield, Vt., Fire Department — only had seconds to respond. The boat was swamped almost immediately after it left shore on its way back to Hoyt's Landing and a waiting ambulance. According to the report, Robert Drye of Cornish, the president of the Cornish Rescue Squad, was operating the boat when it sank. On board were two other Cornish rescue squad members, Gary Chilton and Larry Dingee, along with Wheeler. Hathaway said the investigation focused on Drye's actions. Hathaway listed seven contributing factors that led to the tragedy, including the fact that the Cornish Rescue Squad, an independent, nonprofit volunteer group, had inadequate training on the boat, which it had owned for less than two months. The boat had only 17.9 hours use registered on its engine, according to the report. Hathaway's report noted that the boat's crew was unfamiliar with the weight limitations of the boat, and the dimensions of the boat itself, and that there was a lack of standard operating procedures and protocols governing the boat rescues. The report also noted that a passing ski boat set off a one-foot wake that helped to swamp the already overloaded boat, whose bow was dangerously close to the waterline. Hathaway said Drye tried to steer the boat into the wake, but the wake pushed even more water into the airboat, and it flipped over and sank. The county attorney's report said state law concerning boat overloading under such circumstances was "ambiguous in the context of criminal negligence" and there were no state standards regulating airboats. Wheeler, who had treated Yates on shore for her injuries before she was loaded onto the boat, joined the three Cornish members on their boat at the last minute at their invitation. The added weight of Yates, who weighed about 150 pounds, and Wheeler, who weighed about 245 pounds, further compromised the boat's carrying capacity, the report noted. Wheeler told investigators that when water quickly started coming over the bow of the boat, both he and the other Cornish squad members leaned forward in an attempt to keep Yates dry, which ultimately made the problem worse. Wheeler said he tried to undo the straps that tied Yates to the sinking boat, but was unable to get the straps untied after the boat sank and he had to surface for air. Yates was not wearing a life vest, and the Stokes litter did not have any flotation devices either, the report stated. Wheeler said he tried to find the air bubbles coming up from the oxygen that Yates was on and dive back down to rescue her, but the current carried him away and he couldn't swim well with his duty boots and clothing on. Drye told investigators he was trying to get Dingee to move toward the back of the boat in one of the passenger seats to redistribute the weight in the boat shortly before they were swamped. Hathaway's 283-page report included interviews with people directly involved in the rescue, witnesses on the river and friends of Yates on the dock, and the manufacturer of the boat, the Maine Yankee Airboat Co. of Sebago, Maine. The New Hampshire investigation also included two re-enactments of the accident on Lake Winnipesaukee using the Cornish airboat. Hathaway said the re-enactments helped clarify to him what had happened. He said his report was long in coming because the final reports didn't reach his office until January, and then his report had to be written and organized. The boat company's president, Harold Williams, told the New Hampshire investigators that he had initially warned Cornish Rescue Squad members that the boat they wanted was too small for rescue work because of all the equipment and people they would bring on any rescue, and he urged them to use a bigger boat. He also claimed he told them to only use the boat in shallow waters. Williams also told investigators he told Cornish officials that the boat's top capacity was four people. Hathaway said the airboat would be returned to the Cornish Rescue Squad, and it was up to the squad how the boat would be used in the future. According to Capt. Mark Gallagher of the N.H. Marine Patrol, who was at the press conference, the N.H. Fish and Game Department has a similar airboat, but he said he did not know whether it had ever been used in a rescue. Hathaway said he had talked to the Yates family privately last week and given them copies of the report; he too asked the media not to contact either the members of the Cornish Rescue Squad or the Yates family. Hathaway said the N.H. Department of Safety was conducting its own investigation. Robert Morgan of Brownsville, Vt., who works for the Concord, N.H., law firm of Tarbell Professional Association, is representing Yates' estate. He listened quietly in the back of the small conference room and later spoke to some reporters. Morgan said it was too early to say what Yates' surviving family would do and whether they would pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the people involved in the accident. Morgan said Yates' three surviving children had been devastated by their mother's death and the attention her tragic death had brought to them, and he said none of them wanted to speak to the media about their mother's death or the report. "The report is long. A lot of the material is painful," Morgan said. "We have to take our time to understand what's in there. It truly is very sad." Contact Susan Smallheer at susan.smallheer@rutlandherald.com.

DOnt see an issue. I have assessment skills. I have treated many, many unconcious patients with no identity and their care has never been compromised by me not knowing anything about them. Again, it is a neat idea but just not practical.. not yet anyways. In a few years, maybe. It is overpriced and appeals to your emotional side for sales instead of logical or common sense.

http://www.thebackwardsclock.com/ Now find me a picture of my favorite goat (I chose this one for Aussiephil)...

WOW...someone must of had too much estrogen in their coffee. GIRL POWER!!

And lets not forget our 0300 paramedic math calculations.... Take the patients weight in pounds, drop the last number and that is your drip rate which will infuse 5-6mcg/kg/minute every time. Example: Pt weighs 185 lbs....drop the 5 and start your infusion at 18 gtts a min for a rate of 5mcg/kg/min. I love shortcuts, are not always best but will save your arse on occassion.

You need to know how to read, write and comprehend the English language, you need to be able to do basic arithimetic and have a concept of basic algebra; it is a simple, entry level test that anyone who passed the 8th grade should be able to excel at. Good luck and stop sweating the small stuff!

First of all, I never would of said a word to my recruiter. They had already done your MVR check and hired you. Why screw it up by telling them about the ticket? In the future, do not be so forthcoming over minor moving violations. Second, when you talk to the solicitor or judge and try to get this removed or reduced, PLEASE accept responsibility for your actions. For example, in your post you said you were going downhill and kinda used it in a context that implied the excessive speed was beyond your control. Even if you didnt mean it that way, thats how it came out so watch those little phrases when begging for mercy.

I know Oregon has required it since 1998 or 99. Alaska, Florida, Lousiana and South Carolina does not.

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_101234.asp Lawsuit Claims EMS Worker Disrobed Injured Woman posted February 7, 2007 A woman who was injured in a motorcycle wreck has filed suit, saying an EMS worker unnecessarily disrobed her after giving her an extra dose of morphine. Holley Shalene Andrews is asking over $1.5 million in the Circuit Court complaint against Hamilton County, Hamilton County Emergency Services and EMS workers Roger Davis and R. Smith. Ms. Andrews said she was hurt in a wreck on East Brainerd Road on Oct. 6, 2006. She said she had visible abrasions to her right knee and her right hand. She said EMS workers Davis and Smith came to the scene. She said one of the men rolled her over and cut the back of her outer jacket, tank top and sports bra. She said she was placed onto a gurney and put in an ambulance. The suit said R. Smith "in one fast motion and while keeping his gaze directly into the plaintiff's eyes, removed plaintiff's outer jacket, tank top and sports bra, then completely covered her with a blanket." She said he did not touch her pants. She said R. Smith then exited the back of the vehicle, leaving her alone with Roger Smith. Ms. Andrews said she was given two doses of morphine. She said EMS Smith gave her a third dose, though she did not ask for it or agree to it. The suit says he then cut her pants and underwear and removed them "against her wishes and directives." It says he pulled her underwear down to her knees and removed the blanket. Ms. Andrews said she "demanded an explanation" and was told he could lose his job if he did not "thoroughly inspect" her entire body before they arrived at the hospital. The suit, filed by atttorney Robin Flores, says, "To the best of plaintiff's knowledge and belief, defendants county and HCEMS had prior knowledge of similar misconduct of Davis as alleged in this complaint." It says Ms. Andrews suffered "pain, humiliation, fear and anxiety." The suit asks compensatory damages up to the tort liability limits, $1 million punitive damages and $500,000 for "actual medical malpractice damages." Davis is no longer with Hamilton County EMS. Here is the complaint: PLAINTIFF, through counsel, makes the following as her cause of actions against the defendants: JURISDICTION AND VENUE 1. Jurisdiction is proper in this matter. This is an action to address the tortious negligence and intentional torts of the defendants under the Government Tort Liability Act, TENN. CODE ANN. §§29-20-101 et seq., TENN. CODE ANN. §29-20-310 and the defendants’ intentional and negligent tortious actions against the plaintiff under the common law of the State of Tennessee. 2. Venue is proper in this matter. All acts complained of occurred within Hamilton County. 3. At all times relevant to this cause of action, Plaintiff was a citizen and resident of Hamilton County, Tennessee. 4. At all times relevant to this cause of action, the individual defendants and the governmental defendant were residents of Hamilton County. THE PARTIES 5. At all times relevant to this cause of action, defendant HAMILTON COUNTY GOVERNMENT (“County”) is a political sub-division of the State of Tennessee organized and existing under the laws of the State of Tennessee. a. Since 1992, the County assumed responsibility to provide ambulance and emergency medical services to the citizens of Hamilton County, Tennessee. b. The County established defendant Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services to provide ambulance and emergency medical services to the citizens of Hamilton County, Tennessee. c. The County provides the funds and facilities for defendant Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services, to include funds for the supervision, discipline, training, hiring, and retention of employees of defendant Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services. 7. Although Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services (“HCEMS”) was at one time listed with the Tennessee Secretary of State as a “for profit” corporation, at all times relevant to this cause of action, HCEMS is an entity and arm of the County created to provide ambulance and emergency medical services to the citizens of Hamilton County, Tennessee. a. At all times relevant to this cause of action, HCEMS is responsible for the supervision, discipline, training, hiring, and retention of its individual employees. b. At all times relevant to this cause of action, HCEMS employed defendants Davis and Smith as emergency medial technicians (“EMT”) as defined under the Emergency Medical Services Act of 1983. 8. At all times relevant to this cause of action, Defendant Roger Davis (“Davis”) acted in his official capacity as agent, servant and employee, as defined under TENN. CODE ANN. §29-20-102, for the County and HCEMS. Plaintiff sues this defendant in his individual and official capacities. a. At all times relevant to this cause of action, Davis was a licensed emergency medial technician as defined under the Emergency Medical Services Act of 1983. 9. At all times relevant to this cause of action, Defendant Smith (“Smith”) acted in his official capacity as agent, servant and employee, as defined under TENN. CODE ANN. §29-20-102, for the City. Plaintiff sues this defendant in his individual and official capacities. a. At all times relevant to this cause of action, Smith was a licensed emergency medial technician as defined under the Emergency Medical Services Act of 1983. FACTUAL BASIS OF COMPLAINT 10. On October 6, 2006, plaintiff was injured in a motorcycle accident on East Brainerd Road. 11. As a result of the accident, plaintiff suffered visible abrasions to her right knee and her right hand. 12. Defendants Davis and Smith were dispatched to provide emergency medical services to plaintiff. 13. Upon the arrival of defendants Davis and Smith, plaintiff was fully clothed. 14. Plaintiff believes that either defendant Davis or Smith rolled plaintiff over to examine her back, and that one or the other cut the back of her outer jacket, tank-top, and sport’s bra, but did not remove said clothing. 15. Defendants Davis and Smith, along with an unidentified third male placed plaintiff onto a gurney while plaintiff was fully clothed. 16. Defendants Davis and Smith then placed plaintiff into the EMS vehicle. 17. Plaintiff believes that defendant Smith appeared bigger than defendant Davis and wore a hat at the time of this incident. 18. Defendant Smith then, in one fast motion and while keeping his gaze directly into the plaintiff’s eyes, removed plaintiff’s outer jacket, tank-top, and sport’s bra, then completely covered her with a blanket. 19. Defendant Smith did not remove or even touch plaintiff’s pants. 20. Defendant Davis was present for the actions as stated in 18 and 19. 21. Defendant Smith then exited the back of the vehicle and left plaintiff alone with defendant Davis. 22. While enroute to the hospital, defendant Davis inserted an intravenous drip (“I.V.”) into her arm. 23. Defendant Davis then injected morphine into the I.V. 24. Plaintiff requested only two injections of morphine of defendant Davis. 25. Defendant Davis injected a third dose of morphine. 26. Plaintiff neither requested nor agreed to the third dose of morphine. 27. Defendant Davis then cut plaintiff’s pants and underwear and completely removed plaintiff’s pants against plaintiff’s express wishes and directives. 28. Defendant Davis then pulled plaintiff’s underwear down to her knees. 29. Defendant Davis also removed the blanket from plaintiff’s lower body without explanation. 30. Plaintiff demanded from Davis an explanation to his removal of her underwear. 31. Defendant Davis’ response to plaintiff was that he could lose his job if he did not “thoroughly inspect” her entire body before they arrived at the hospital. 32. To the best of plaintiff’s knowledge and belief, no such policy exists that would have allowed defendant Davis to act as he did in 25 and 31. 33. As a result of the misconduct of defendant Davis, Davis rendered plaintiff completely nude in his presence while alone with Davis. 34. Defendant Davis failed to note the third injection of morphine on any records he created and he did not notify the Erlanger hospital medical personnel who subsequently treated plaintiff of the third morphine dose. 35. To the best of plaintiff’s knowledge and belief, Defendants County and HCEMS had prior knowledge of similar misconduct of Davis as alleged in this Complaint. 37. Despite this prior knowledge, Defendants County and HCEMS retained Davis. 38. Defendant Smith failed to monitor the actions of Davis, and failed to report the misconduct of Davis, thereby ensuring that Davis would be able to continue his conduct on the plaintiff. 39. As a direct and proximate result of the actions and omissions of the defendants, plaintiff suffered pain, humiliation, fear, anxiety, and was subjected to the threat of harm of morphine overdose and complications of unreported morphine injections and its interaction with other treatments provided by the Erlanger medical personnel who took over her care. CAUSES OF ACTION COUNT ONE: NEGLIGENCE 40. Pursuant to Rule 10.04 of the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure, the Plaintiff reasserts and incorporates 1 through 39. 41. Defendants owed a duty of care to Plaintiff. 42. County and HCEMS owed a duty of care to ensure the proper training and discipline of defendants Davis and Smith. 43. County and HCEMS owed a duty to plaintiff not to retain Davis after a similar act of misconduct, thereby subjecting plaintiff to the risk of harm she endured in this case. 44. Defendant Smith owed plaintiff a duty to report to her, to the Erlanger medical personnel, and to County and HCEMS, Davis’s misconduct. 45. County and HCEMS had a duty of care to the plaintiff to ensure that is agents were properly trained in the treatment of female patients, in the use of narcotic drugs such as morphine, and to ensure that their employees who commit such misconduct on patients are no longer able to be in a position to inflict similar injury to plaintiff or other citizens. 46. The Defendants thus breached their duty of care to the plaintiff. 47. The negligence of the defendants was the direct and proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injuries. COUNT TWO: MEDICAL MALPRACTICE 48. Pursuant to Rule 10.04 of the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure, the Plaintiff reasserts and incorporates 1 through 47 and avers that the misconduct of the defendants constitutes this tort. COUNT THREE: COMMON LAW ASSAULT 49. Pursuant to Rule 10.04 of the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure, the Plaintiff reasserts and incorporates 1 through 47 and avers that the misconduct of the defendants constitutes this tort. COUNT FOUR: COMMON LAW BATTERY 50. Pursuant to Rule 10.04 of the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure, the Plaintiff reasserts and incorporates 1 through 47 and avers that the misconduct of the defendants constitutes this tort. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands the following: a. The service of process issue against the Defendants that requires them to file an Answer; b. A trial in this cause; c. Judgment against the Defendants for the maximum statutory amount allowed by the Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act; d. Judgment against the Defendants for all reasonable attorney’s fees, expenses, and tax court costs to all defendants; e. Punitive damages in the amount of one million dollars; f. Actual medical malpractice damages in the amount of five hundred thousand dollars; g. Any and all other relief entitled to the Plaintiff. Respectfully submitted, By:_____________________________________________ ROBIN RUBEN FLORES, TENN. BPR #20751

I couldn't comment, cause as I read this I noted how many of them are true..embarrasingly so. I looked over my shoulder to the stovetop and wondered if I should get rid of my grease can, which is full of..."all manners of used bacon grease."

Sorry brace yourself, because I am going to pick on you for a moment. I have answered this question several times in the past and not only on this site. I have seen it on several sites. I have a simple question followed by a rant. Why do you feel it is easier to log in and ask this question of random people who have absolutely nothing to do with your hiring process instead of calling your prospective new employer and asking them yourself? Rant: I get so fustrated as I see this growing trend in our society and it is very irritating. No one picks up the phone anymore and does the leg work for themselves. If it were me and I were unsure of what they meant by a offer of employment, I would call HR not only to confirm what I didnt know but to also have an opportunity to speak with my new employer..even if it is only an HR person. This conversation may also enable you to come up with several more questions, PLUS you will also get the answers at that time as well. I have seen it on several sites, people asking what does this mean or what is the next step in the hriing process. When I apply for a job, I do my homework. I call the HR office, Operations, whoever I can get to talk to me. I even stop by in person which I believe shows tremedous effort on one's behalf. I ask all my questions and I know what I am getting into before I ever sign on. Employers appreciate this. It shows you are careful of who you work for and not just desperate for a job. It also shows you have intiative and are willing to work hard to invest in yourself and your career. This kind of research shows the employer you may be a good employee as well. Why are people becoming so damn lazy these days and why do they think someone else should do all the work for them? Rant over: Hope you dont take all of this too personally, most of it was in general...but you did ask the question which stoked my fire. Sorry if you got burned.

I can not believe people still believe these urban legends. Not only are you incorrect, you did not even have the story right. You are supposed to ask who has the right of way..see here http://www.snopes.com/autos/law/fourway.asp Oh well....

Dear Ma and Pa, I am well. Hope you are. Tell Brother Walt and Brother Elmer the Marine Corps beats working for old man Minch by a mile. Tell them to join up quick before all of the places are filled. I was restless at first because you got to stay in bed till nearly 6 a.m. but I am getting so I like to sleep late. Tell Walt and Elmer all you do before breakfast is smooth your cot, and shine some things. No hogs to slop, feed to pitch, mash to mix, wood to split, fire to lay. Practically nothing. Men got to shave but it is not so bad, there's warm water. Breakfast is strong on trimmings like fruit juice, cereal, eggs, bacon, etc., but kind of weak on chops, potatoes, ham, steak, fried eggplant, pie and other regular food, but tell Walt and Elmer you can always sit by the two city boys that live on coffee. Their food plus yours holds you until noon when you get fed again. It's no wonder these city boys can't walk much. We go on "route marches," which the platoon sergeant says are long walks to harden us. If he thinks so, it's not my place to tell him different. A "route march" is about as far as to our mailbox at home. Then the city guys get sore feet and we all ride back in trucks. The country is nice but awful flat. The sergeant is like a school teacher. He nags a lot. The Captain is like the school board. Majors and colonels just ride around and frown. They don't bother you none. This next will kill Walt and Elmer with laughing. I keep getting medals for shooting. I don't know why. The bulls-eye is near as big as a chipmunk head and don't move, and it ain't shooting at you like the Higgett boys at home. All you got to do is lie there all comfortable and hit it. You don't even load your own cartridges. They come in boxes. Then we have what they call hand-to-hand combat training. You get to wrestle with them city boys. I have to be real careful though, they break real easy. It ain't like fighting with that ole bull at home. I'm about the best they got in this except for that Tug Jordan from over in Silver Lake. I only beat him once. He joined up the same time as me, but I'm only 5'6" and 130 pounds and he's 6'8" and near 300 pounds dry. Be sure to tell Walt and Elmer to hurry and join before other fellers get onto this setup and come stampeding in. Your loving daughter, Alice

The paramedic show, titled "The Call," has been given a formal green light. "The Call," follows a group of L.A. paramedics, with each episode taking place in real time. The "24" team -- creators Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran and executive producer Howard Gordon -- are teaming up with "Kitchen Confidential" creator David Hemingson for the show. ABC outbid FOX for the show by offering a six-episode commitment, the showbiz trade papers report. Hemingson, who currently works on FOX's "American Dad," will write the script and executive produce with Cochran, Gordon and Surnow, who initially came up with the idea for the show. Hemingson tells the trades he's aiming for the gallows humor of "M*A*S*H" in depicting the way the two leads deal with their high-stress jobs.

I would take them away...completely!! Long live nudity!! It would be a great ice breaker, nice way to get people to open up, if you will. And in my case it would even generate laughter and we all know, "laughter is the best medicine."

Why so surprised Timmy? The wage argument brings us back to the other topic of education vs training. You already know what is required to be a medic in Aus, Eng, and Can....and those requirements far exceed ours. We are a night school trade worker, thats it. You guys go to Uni and devote countless hours towards your education. Its the chicken and egg debate, which comes first. If enough of us get higher education and demand changes, then the salaries will follow. But as it stands now, we can not demand higher wages when any Joe can come along and obtain the training with minimal effort and be willing to do it for next to nothing or even free of charge simply to be doing it. Even though I know our wages could and should be higher, our cost of living is still relatively way lower than yours and we don't pay 49% of our wages in taxes either.

Very well said MedicNorth!!! Too many people miss this point on an everyday basis. (People are always shocked when they find out I used to strip for cash, as it made me less of a medical provider)

AK - FP-C is 4 years and a C.E. recert is now available.......... http://www.certifiedflightparamedic.org/cf...l%20by%20CE.pdf

85 eh??? Superbowl Shuffle anyone...what a great video and song...LOL Fridge, he da man!! Those of you that have no clue what I am talking about, get to googling. See if you can find the video on youtube or something.

Who are the Colts?? Where are they from? Is this some new franchise team??

It all depends on what you intend to do with these certs. If you have no intention of flying or working on a critical care unit, there are other courses that would be worth the investment to expand your knowledge prehospitally as a medic. If you have already obtained every other cert and want to do these, then go for it. CCEMT-P is a course. FP-C is a test. There usually is a one day prep held the day before, but all it is, is a test. I recommend taking CCEMT-P before even attempting FP-C. Just keep in mind, the FP-C is only good for 2 years. There is no continuing ed to maintain it. When it expires, you must retest. CCEMTP is a great class with a lot of great information. FPC is a hard test. There is no practical. If you want a taste of it, go buy the study guide. I recommend going to the NFPA web site (National Flight Paramedics Assoc). Also, check out flightweb as you will find a link to NFPA and you will get much better responses to your questions there, as almost everyone there has taken at least one if not both of the courses. Good Luck!

Bring the simple things that seem scary to them until they are able to touch and play with them for theirselves. 1.Stethoscope 2.BP cuff 3.Gloves 4.Masks 5.Gauze 6.Kling 7. 911 stickers 1. Use this to show them how they can hear their own heart and maybe a classmates as well. 2. With the cuff, I dont recommend putting it on them, but allow them to be fmailiar with it, hold it and see how it inflates...and take this time to explain how it "hugs" the arm real tight but it goes down pretty fast if they sit still. 3. These are always fun. Just make sure there are no latex allergies. Even blow them up if you want. 4. Masks are fun as well. Tell them we sometimes wear them when people are really sick to protect them. 5 and 6. Show them how to do a simple wrap around the arm and then step back and let them play. Of course it wont be right but it will be lots of fun! 7. These are great if you have them. If not, take the time to reinforce who to call for emergencies and remind them to practice their phone numbers, addresses and parents names at home. Hopefully doing these things will make them less scared should they ever have to encounter any of these in a real situation. You wont need many more items than this as it offers enough learning material and play time to fill a half hour.