Are we adverse to new participants?

[mycrofft]

Looking back at my earliest posts (and many more-recent ones...) I can see where I could have taken offense with the way I was handled, and huffed off. In fact, at one point I did taker a sabbatical.

As you might know, the "you need thicker skin" cliche to me says "shut up and let me bully you around some more".

As a a group, are we too short on tact with people who are just finding out what it means to be on such a forum? (Some participants are very tactful, others....not so much, in my humble opinion).

Or do you think it's ok to basically run someone out?
As with:
:nosoupfortroll::rofl::deadhorse:

 

[Veneficus]

I wouldn't say "adverse" but it seems the minimum level to play seems to go up with time.

I also notice certain topics don't seem to be as of much interest to regulars as new people.

I am tired of hearing how there are no jobs in Cali for Basics.

Who carries a gun...

etc.

I do also confess to an intolerance of absolutely mindless questions, like swallowing handfuls of pills and asking why it makes one feel unwell.

I try to be helpful and reply sometimes in the form of a question. But "follow protocol" in any of its various guises is irritatingly mindless.

If that is the level of conversation, then instead of posting here, just refer to whatever medium your protocol is in and save us all the time.

 

[Aprz]

I think in real life, if veteran medic told them the same things, they'd think "he's a vet medic, I should listen to him". They totally do this where I work. I think people just complain because it's an online forum. If it were at work, they'd be praised.

On these forums, I think it's better to cut those who don't want to participate on the forum with forum etiquette than to keep them and have 'em ask the same questions over and over without using search, to type up a post without putting any thought into it (this includes grammar and spelling), and to keep posting "protocols".

Do any of you guys go to ems12lead? My least favorite thing is seeing someone post "follow protocols". It's a website on your interpretation, diagnosis, and treatment based on 12-leads, rhythms, and possibly a little history behind the present illness, yet some people post "I'm not a doctor, I am gonna treat with diesel and follow my protocols". TomB posts up questions on Facebook too. They do the same thing. It's unproductive and disappointing.

 

[crazycajun]

Yes we do!!! And it is NOT ok!!! This is the reason I have stopped using this forum as often as I used to. It seems every time a new OP has a question someone is jumping down there throat. Even I in the past have allowed myself to be a part of it and am embarrassed with my comments. All it takes is an OP to mention spine board, High flow o2, POV lights, etc... and they are jumped on like a defenseless kitten at the dog pound. Most will argue over studies on certain topics and make the OP feel stupid in his/her decisions knowing full well they follow the same protocol guidelines and cannot or will not break those protocols in fear of losing their job. When I read some of the answers to an OP's question I am always reminded of a saying my dad had. "Son, on Sunday you can always find a man in church complaining about the drunks in town knowing full well he is the guy hiding his car behind the bar on Saturday night!" IMHO it is OK to tell an OP about studies and research to give them knowledge but to jump on them and make them feel stupid is total ignorance.

 

[Martyn]

Yes we do!!! And it is NOT ok!!! All it takes is an OP to mention spine board, High flow o2, POV lights, etc... and they are jumped on like a defenseless kitten at the dog pound. Most will argue over studies on certain topics and make the OP feel stupid in his/her decisions knowing full well they follow the same protocol guidelines and cannot or will not break those protocols in fear of losing their job. IMHO it is OK to tell an OP about studies and research to give them knowledge but to jump on them and make them feel stupid is total ignorance.

On these forums, I think it's better to cut those who don't want to participate on the forum with forum etiquette than to keep them and have 'em ask the same questions over and over without using search, to type up a post without putting any thought into it (this includes grammar and spelling), and to keep posting "protocols".

I am tired of hearing how there are no jobs in Cali for Basics.

Who carries a gun...

etc.

I do also confess to an intolerance of absolutely mindless questions, like swallowing handfuls of pills and asking why it makes one feel unwell.

I try to be helpful and reply sometimes in the form of a question. But "follow protocol" in any of its various guises is irritatingly mindless.

If that is the level of conversation, then instead of posting here, just refer to whatever medium your protocol is in and save us all the time.

Totally agree with you guys, let's face it, at the end of the day MOST of us are at least EMT-B. You've done your training and most of us have worked in the field so we have at least a little bit common sense and knowledge. Yes it pee's me off to see stupid questions that with a little thought you should be able to work out a sensible answer...OR GOOGLE IT!!! There is a wealth of knowledge out there on the net. It's not just this forum but it seems like a widespread disease (stupidity that is). I belong to another forum to do with Android phones and have got into trouble on there for answering stupid questions with a stupid answer. And no, I don't have time to answer stupid questions here or in real life, I consider it a waste of my valuable time. (Backtrack, one of my partners is a first responder who I actually apologised to for being short, yeah, I realise I can be an *** and hope I am man enough to admit it). To be quite honest these days unless the question is REALLY stupid I will look at it and think 'Really?' then go on to the next topic and not justify it with an answer.

 

[Martyn]

BTW Crazy cajun, good to see you still lurking

 

[PotashRLS]

I agree with Crazycajun.......

I too read but seldom post because of that same reasoning. Unlike the probies though, I am not new to EMS, having been in it for 17 years this July. Though I am "just an EMT-IT", I come in here to gather information to help better myself and my department/co-EMTs. I too am a scab volunteer (paid on call) and am probably not good enough like many others here are. However I would consider my sense of community and professionalism 2nd to none.

I can tell you that in my actual paying career (Land surveying & civil engineering) I have never looked down on up and comers for asking "stupid" questions. Everyone gets a start somewhere.

The bottom line is if the thread or post is not to your level or interest, don't waste your time. I suggested to a forum leader a while back that maybe there should be a room where all the "intellectually underchallenged" can go to discuss the things they want to discuss. Maybe in that room they can find the recipe for world peace and fixing our supposedly broken and substandard EMS system.

EMTLIFE.com is a great resource that provides real life experience to those who are seeking it. Don't make it so others stop seeking that information.

 

[mycrofft]

Learning by reading my own comments....

I wonder why longer-experienced participants can't simply ignore newbie questions? Or let it go that someone just wants something quickly from the brain trust instead of a lengthy search (as I recently did about heat injury...which set me off on more research once I had my replies).

Is it the language used which is most hurtful, or the attitude "We've covered that before, dumkopf"?

Having stepped in it from both sides, I think there are certain strategies new participants can use to minimize their being targeted, but I personally am going to start just ignoring or politely/briefly answering posts which are the MFAQ or "black holes".

 

[Sasha]

I honestly think some people are just too sensitive. They can't be disagreed with without getting into a huff.

The forum, like real life, isn't going.to coddle you.

I don't find EMTLife welcoming or unwelcoming.

It just is.

Certain posters are more encouraging than others. I remember when I first started on this forum, I got many encouraging PMs from VentMedic(before she lost her mind) and other long time posters.

I haven't seen any current posters who are outright nasty.

 

[firetender]

I haven't seen any current posters who are outright nasty.

From where I sit, a lot of Newbies come in, post ridiculous or overworn questions, get slapped down a little, react, pick up the rhythm -- kind of our baseline -- and then, once they figure out how to search, if the interest remains, they come back.

Working through discouragement is a character asset that most of us are called upon to develop, in the field as well as here. It's also a sort of "Rite of Passage" to come in, make a few bonehead posts, get corrected and then get accepted mo bettah.

Throughout this, of course, come the "Pouncers"; those who either driven by Ego or insecurity think it's cool to show how smart they are to everyone by whomping on the FNG's. Thankfully, they show themselves and after a while, they get naturally shut-up, either by the Mods or by their peers.

They come and go; it's a cyclical thang!

Overall, though, a reason I stay here is there is much more support from many different angles than there is discouragement. The resistance we offer is well WNL and those who are here to contribute to the community get ample opportunity and encouragement to do so. Those who treat it like a game or sparring partner squeeze themselves out.

Also, keep in mind EMS is essentially a transient's profession and this site reflects a lot of numbers coming through but a limited amount sticking around which accurately reflects the state of the industry.

 

[Bullets]

Look at the main forum, its full of the same posts we have discussed over and over again. Its a little ridiculous, we had like three equipment threads, another "WHICH BOOT" thread, mods need to clean it up

 

[Aidey]

I am a member of a very large tech related forum, and comparatively we welcome people with the equivalent of the Royal Wedding. They make it VERY clear that you are to SEARCH before asking a question. They will infract and ban people who make threads asking a question that has been asked recently.

 

[Achilles]

I am a member of a very large tech related forum, and comparatively we welcome people with the equivalent of the Royal Wedding. They make it VERY clear that you are to SEARCH before asking a question. They will infract and ban people who make threads asking a question that has been asked recently.

The older the forum gets, though the harder it is to come up with questions to ask. You may have a thread that's five years old, where the OP is asking what boot to buy. If someone today were to as, go to the thread and look at it; the people that posted could have entirely different views on the boot they though was the best of the best. I was new to this forum a few weeks ago, but I met some great people, won a few contests and ate my slushee in front of me. i AGREE with you on how the CL's greet new members to this forum, i've been to some other forums and there will be posters on there that will run you out of the forum before you can even get your second post.

 

[bigbaldguy]

As I recall my first post here was "hey guys I'm getting ready to take the NREMT and I'm freaking out is there anything I can do to prepare for it?" I got several snarky answers a bunch of downright rude answers and one very nice PM from someone who isn't here anymore. Guess what if the nice guy hadn't taken the time to explain why everyone else was being a jerk I would have left. Educate don't berate, we were all new once but some of us have longer memories than others.

 

[Aidey]

The older the forum gets, though the harder it is to come up with questions to ask. You may have a thread that's five years old, where the OP is asking what boot to buy. If someone today were to as, go to the thread and look at it; the people that posted could have entirely different views on the boot they though was the best of the best. I was new to this forum a few weeks ago, but I met some great people, won a few contests and ate my slushee in front of me. i AGREE with you on how the CL's greet new members to this forum, i've been to some other forums and there will be posters on there that will run you out of the forum before you can even get your second post.

Obviously you should use discretion about bumping old threads. However, reading them may give you some ideas or even answer your question. Yes, it takes more effort on your part to search and read multiple threads, but you will learn more.

One of the threads I frequent in the tech forum has about 13,500 posts in it. The OP and the mods fully expect you to read the entire thread, or at the very very least do a keyword search of the thread before you ask a question. Yes, it is annoying, but it is way less annoying than seeing the same question 100 times.

 

[Achilles]

Obviously you should use discretion about bumping old threads. However, reading them may give you some ideas or even answer your question. Yes, it takes more effort on your part to search and read multiple threads, but you will learn more. Actually, not to be an smart Alec/ know it all, but "bumping" threads isn't allowed. Also, I use a forum as a "backup." If i have a question about what boot to buy, i'm going to ask one of my colleagues or friends. I don't know if it's just me, but I prefer to talk to someone in person.

One of the threads I frequent in the tech forum has about 13,500 posts in it. The OP and the mods fully expect you to read the entire thread, or at the very very least do a keyword search of the thread before you ask a question. Yes, it is annoying, but it is way less annoying than seeing the same question 100 times.I don't have an issue with seeing repeat questions, I can just post a forwarding link to a thread, what i do have an issue with though; is someone posting fake scenarios.

Regards,
Andrew

 

[Aidey]

One of the mods will have to chime in, but I'm pretty sure the rule doesn't apply to posts of value that add to the discussion, especially if the thread isn't that old.

Participants may not bump threads. Bumping can refer to posting useless information, making corrections or updates in a new post, posting one-liners or any other action to deliberately keep a thread hot or to bring it to the top of Recent or Today's Posts. Community Leaders will use their discretion, depending on the nature of the post, as to whether to take action or not.

All of the things listed imply useless responses.

 

[ffemt8978]

One of the mods will have to chime in, but I'm pretty sure the rule doesn't apply to posts of value that add to the discussion, especially if the thread isn't that old.



All of the things listed imply useless responses.

Correct.

 

[Achilles]

One of the mods will have to chime in, but I'm pretty sure the rule doesn't apply to posts of value that add to the discussion, especially if the thread isn't that old.



All of the things listed imply useless responses.

Oh... Well thanks you for that tip, I don't think anyone of my colleagues or non internet friends could have answerd that

I'm going to bed though.
Night

 

[Cawolf86]

In my opinion, those of us who use this forum for a while are the kind who tend to be member of multiple online forums. I know personally I participate (some more than others) in at least 7 forums. Video games, sports, cars, tech, gaming group, EMS, aquariums, and others. My unscientific opinion is that people who use forums are a certain type - they tend to use more than one.

The decorum on EMTLIFE is no different than any other forum (or station). The user needs to figure out the way things work and adapt to them. EMTLIFE is a lot more forgiving than many other forums I frequent. Sure this may be different because it is a "professional" topic, but in the end it is still a forum.

I think it's fine.