Richard B the EMT

At the start of last year's TV season in the US, there was a show called "Trauma", which was lambasted on numerous levels on the EMT City, including myself, for inaccuracies, disobediance to On Line Medical Control orders, and behavior that no EMS employer of any of the City's residents would tolerate, no matter what the viable save rate. If TV's MASH doctors "Trapper" John McEntire, Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce, BJ Hunnicut, Margaret "HotLips" Houlihan, and Sherman T Potter were real, with all the shenanigans they pulled, even they would be upset with the ambulance and medivac crews depicted on "Trauma". About the only accuracy noted was, the lady pilot of the medivac helo was cross trained as an EMT-Basic, to assist the (nutcase) Paramedic she was assigned with, on the ground with a patient. (A mention here. I'm being kind. Others on this site would draw and quarter the show)

As per the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, of the New York State Department of Health, I am an EMT-Basic (at least until mid 2015). That help?

OK, not following the reference. clue me in, please?

In New York State, emphatically NO.

The bomber/shooter is, simply, nucking futz! Unfortunately, can you imagine a Taliban bomber/shooter doing similarly in the US or Europe, to "clense" anyone unclean by "being" American or European? Also, has not that guy's lawyer already stated that he is insane? In the US, he'd either never go to trial, due to insanity, or be found NGRII (Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity and/or Imparment). At least, either way, he'd be locked up in a hospital for the criminally insane for the remainder of his days, and we'd not have to fear anything but the extended hospital bill. David (Son of Sam/44 caleber killer) Berkowitz and Mark David Chapman (killer of former "Beatle" John Lennon, are locked up this way (and, I think, the guy who shot, but didn't kill, Ronald Reagon).

I'll just be careful not to cut nipples with the razor. due to cost versus benefits versus how often used for the other products (aside for using expired pads).

Another mention on the green and blue "Courtesy Lights" per NY State: If one sees them approaching in your rear view mirrors, you are supposed to move to the right side of the road, and stop while not blocking cross streets or driveways, just like for the lights on the "full" emergency vehicles. 37 years of not seeing folks move for the reds...

Pillows as splints, or for filling voids, can be useful, even with "sling and swath" crevats.

The collapse, per the NYC TV news reports, puts it with 70 something MPH wind gusts, and not evacuating the area as a precaution sooner than they allegedly did, on getting NOAA U S Weather Service forcasts.

Interesting video. What about the chest wax job from "The 40 Year Old Virgin"? Steve Carrel actually allowed his chest hairs to be removed for that movie, as shown in the movie.

As stated, Green for Vollie EMSer, Blue for Vollie Fire Fighter on personal vehicles, not allowed to go against a red traffic signal in NY State. If registered with the department, under specific guidelines (NYS VTL 115C) a member can be authorized red lights and siren, as a "fly car" of the Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Personal vehicles under green, blue, or red, and the "duly authorized" Fire, LEO or EMS vechicles ALL have to follow NYS VTL (Vehicle and Traffic Laws) #1104, which states that the vehicle MUST be driven with "Due Regard" to all other traffic on the road. I posit that all US states, provences of Canada, and other countries represented in EMT City have an equivelant to 1104 on their books.

"Sir, how can I help you if you keep passing out when you stand up, as I'm attempting to ascertain your orthostatic blood pressure changes?" (I think attributed to Steve Berry, of "I am NOT an Ambulance Driver" fame)

Back when New York State EMTs were allowed to transport patients with flowing IVs, some joker Instructors used to refer to this as "Tip of Thumb to Tip of Nose Syndrome", corrected by straitening the arm. (Forgive me, spellcheck still not functioning)

Returning to "turning on" a steth, considering most, cheapest to most expensive non electronic, is usually a "Y" shaped tube, or two tubes, between the "bell" and earpieces, what's to turn on? If the poor fool forgot t incert the earpieces into the ears, THAT might explain things.

An old mantra I was taught, and still follow is, "If a child is quiet, something is really wrong". I have been known to respond with a personal kit for stuff I see in the street while just driving my personal van, hense, I've been solo on scenes awaiting the on duty crews. And even in a city, where the nearest ER is usually 15 minutes or under away from load and go, yes, it can be frightening when one is flying solo, no matter what the local geographics.

EVERYONE that I know, including the one looking back at me from the mirror while I'm brushing my teeth, has the potential to be an asshole on any given day or night. Just remember that there will be days that the guy who always aces things blows it bad, and the habitual screwup does everything to perfection. It's called being human. I do like the idea of arriving early to go through the ambulance, compartment by compartment, to find where everything is at. Here in NYC, in the FDNY EMS Command, while we might not get a chance to check out our vehicle prior to tour change (previous crew might still be out doing a "late call"), we are supposed to do a checklist verifying that everything the New York State DoH wants us to have on board, is on board, complete to minimum amounts of disposable supplies.You don't have 12 4x4s, just 11, but everything else, some hardass state inspector can fine you, your partner, and the department for the descrepancy. (Yeah, big time exaggeration, but one never knows, this is NYC, after all) However, doing "Rig Checks" per the state checklist is always a good way to find everything on the ambulance. I do mention that the way an ambulance is set up at one station, might be set up differently at another, due to the whims of each station's personnel. At least all the ambulances are the same, type 1s, although they will vary over 10 model years, and we are switching from Ford F350s and 450s to some type Dodge with extended (super?) cabs.

Feel better, my brother in EMS.

Unless you're referring to the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", what the shell are you talking about?

Actual case, circa New York City, 1985: Woman with Asthma calls 9-1-1, complains of difficulty breathing. Apparently collapsed on floor behind closed and locked apartment door. Crew responded, got no answer to doorbell and knocking, had dispatch call back. No answer, left message on answering machine. 2 days later, family member opens door to visit woman, finds her deceased on floor, and EMS EMD message on answering machine. Resulted in unsuccessful lawsuit against NYC and NYC EMS. Rules changed. If crew believes incapacitated patient behind locked door, must request "additional resources", i.e. NYPD. Describe situation to NYPD Sargent or higher on the scene, and PD, or FDNY then to "take" the door. If no patient found, and nobody home, NYPD assigns a LEO to stay until someone gets home, or will otherwise secure the premises. NYPD or FDNY both "self insured", so if homeowner/renter sues for door damage, city will handle. If in a building with 24 hour maintenance staff, notify them to bring spare key(s), or NYPD/FDNY will be "taking" door. Sure improves maintenance response time, for sure. They hate replacing doors. If patient IS found, NYPD/FDNY attempts to secure premises, as already described, as EMS transports patient.

Hmmm. Just thinking that most classes I take that are followed by an exam, the instructor tells us, on day 1, when the exam is going to be, or it's in the sylabus (spelling? my spellcheck is down).

Chuck always had bad luck. One day, he decided to try skydiving. In the class before the jump, he was told, Chuck got in the plane, and when the jumpmaster told him to jump, he did. The chute didn't open. Chuck counted, quickly, to 5, and pulled the "D-Ring on his left. but nothing happened. Even more quickly, he, again, counted to 5, and pullde the "D-Ring" on his right. Again, nothing happened. Chuck thought to himself,

Mentioning in passing that one can get NREMT in New York State, but NREMT is not accepted coming INTO NYS by the DoH.

Perhaps not "common" folks, but Congressmen Sunny Bono, Al Franken, the guy used to play "Gofer" Smith on Love boat, Mayor Clint Eastwood, Governor Jessie ("The Body") Ventura, and Bonzo the Chimp's "Father", President Ronald Reagan/

First off, welcome aboard to the both of "youze guyz". Second, don't consider any TV medical (EMS, Law Enforcement Officer, Military) shows as training, they are more for entertainment. Someone on the site has, as their signature, the comment to the Fire Fighters, that Dennis Leary's "Rescue Me" is NOT a training video. I'll add to that by commenting that last year's "Trauma" TV show had San Francisco Fire Department Paramedics, and their nonexistant HEMS (Helicopter EMS) all seeming to be varients of jerks, idiots, and oversexerd fools, who disobeyed direct orders from their On Line Medical Control, yet somehow still saved a few lives. On a Third point, as all my "Flight Medic" and "Flight Nurse" associates here on EMT City will back me, becomeing a CareFlite Paramedic (presuming that's a particular company)is not just training, but experience prior to hiring.

It can, however, ease your discomfort. Seriously, Welcoma aboard, from a 37 year longtimer.