scubanurse

Holy cow those videos are ridiculous... but very very cool!

Do you have a medical director for this trip? Someone who can authorize PRN OTC meds? Sat phone to contact a doctor if needed? Years ago I was a W-EMT through NOLS and it was a great course I highly recommend taking. Keep everything you take light. You don't want to be lugging a heavy bag around with pointless stuff. SAM splints are your friend, plenty of triangle bandages, a few big gauze dressings for compression bandages, and OTC meds. Athletic tape isn't a bad idea if you know how to tape ankles since commonly on trips like this, people will twist an ankle or two.

It happened where I worked too... Medics ended up jumping out the second story window and both were injured but alive.

A&P class at a college. Mike is right on... English composition wouldn't hurt you either in the long run. Everyone can benefit for a writing class where someone rips apart your writing.

Thanks! I'm glad things seem to start getting back into a 'normal' routine. Make sure you take time to care for yourself and avoid caregiver burnout

That looks good. Something like this would work too http://www.americanmedical-id.com/marketplace/category.php?sel_pullid=46. Everyone is trained to look at them but not everyone does. If you're in anaphylaxis though they'll treat that and it won't really matter what you're allergic to at the time. It helps if you're unconscious though and they're trying to get medical info which is why I have my emergency contact on the bracelet so they can call and gather more information and notify them of what happened.

A lot of that probably has to do with the system I was in for a long time. Basic EMT's couldn't even do BGL checks. I've also been out of the field for a few years, and in those few years is when the big push to have field providers perform more interventions has happened.

I'm just a member of the ANA as a student right now and wait until I finalize my specialty to join more.

Have you tried talking to anyone? Someone from your station maybe or a professional counselor/therapist? EMS is a very stressful job and departments "should" have resources available to you. I am very sorry you're going through this. Some tips I have are avoid alcohol and drugs, they don't help I promise. Try and do something for your self, go for a walk, go see a movie, whatever it is you need to distract yourself from the stressors. And please please please talk to someone.

I don't think so, which is why in my opinion it's up to the individual. Each student will have different academic and practical needs. I'm going straight through my BSN to my MSN but I will probably start work as an RN before I finish my masters. Doctors aren't required to be PA-C's first but Nurse Practitioners are required to be RN's first. I'm curious to see this discussion rehashed out...

Agreed. Admin posted something in the sponsors section about it being a random glitch and should be better

If you search through the forum on education there have been a lot of threads on this particular issue. You will find most here are split with experience versus going straight through. All in all it depends on who you are and the kind of student you are. There are programs also that require field experience before progressing on to paramedic. There are numerous variables tied into that question and I am sure you will find all sorts of responses here. My $0.02 is to get some experience first. Nothing crazy but get a job and make sure this is a field you can see yourself in. While working and getting some experiences under your belt, look at taking an anatomy and physiology class or basic chemistry/biology classes. Further your science foundation before you take paramedic will help you when it comes to understanding disease pathologies and pharmacology. Welcome to the site and best of luck to you!!

Even if the patient is obviously pregnant? In my experiences, most states allow emancipation once the minor has a confirmed pregnancy.

I have several allergies/conditions and this is what I have: Anaphylaxis: Latex, Pineapple, Morphine Med Hx: Hypothydroidism, Ehlers-Danlos Sydrome, SVT xxx-xxx-xxxx (my emergency contacts phone #) It's on two sides and silver so I wear it all of the time and just looks like another bracelet.

I'm all for people in the chat, but what game?

It was 60 and sunny today here but a full on blizzard yesterday. I love Colorado, really I do! Ugh I can't sleep!!! This head cold thing going around is making sleeping very difficult! *grumble

Depends on the volunteer department. I have only ever done 911 volunteer and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I was pushed to learn more every shift. It is just all in where you volunteer and I hope this doesn't turn into another volly/paid discussion... Good for you Mari for being eager to further your education. I loved A&P so much I've taken it 4 different times and learned something new each time. Try to go to the CAP lab in December as well. An A&P course with a cadaver would be amazing for you since I sense you are more of a hands on type learner as well. Keep up all of your good work!! You're making many members on here very proud!

For future reference... Borrowing stethoscopes is gross...never leave your house without your own.

Hope all is ok buddy! My parents stopped through there and had wonderful things to say about the island.

I understood your point, the issue I had was with the OP's statement in http://www.emtcity.com/topic/24057-hyperkalemia about how there should be no difference in treatment with regards to distance from the hospital. It's blanket statements like that, that annoy me. I think there is a huge difference in the types of protocols and treatments you will see in urban vs rural areas.

I'm looking out at 10" of snow.... What's spring?

Sorry, I just went back and re-read this... That's what I was saying. Symptomatic hyponatremia... the only symptom we were taught to watch for was seizing.

So it came up on another thread, and I guess the point I was trying to make was that protocols can vary from jurisdiction and one of the factors is distance from a hospital. It was stated that it should not matter if you are 5 minutes from the hospital or 30 but I disagree. If you are really close to the hospital are you really going to take time to sit there and set up say a dopamine drip? Or will you start a line and do a 12-lead and get them to the hospital quickly. I realize I have been out of the field for a little bit, but is the idea of load and go no longer around? I have seen areas who are 30 min + from a hospital have protocols that are far more extensive than urban protocols for the simple fact you have longer with the patient and can/should perform more interventions. If I'm 5 minutes from a hospital, starting antibiotics isn't realistic, but if I have a significant transport time with an open fracture or septic patient then I could see starting antibiotics. Maybe my thinking is way off and I should just stick with nursing and bow out of the forum though.

I only asked because a lot of times, protocols are based on location. There is a big difference in the care you will provide if you are 30 minutes from a hospital versus <5 minutes...