Recent content by Aliakey

With my aging and decrepit memory, I believe that FlyBoyEMT is spot on. I also prefer to retest because of the limited hours of "distributed content" permitted for CE... I live in a rural area. Conferences are far and few between, so physically attending them is not real practical...

I was an ED tech at a major trauma center for three years. You'll get a lot of invaluable experience seeing what happens to patients *after* EMS has dropped them off and left the building. When you do go on to a service down the road, you will have an edge to knowing what that patient really...

He was an intermediate in New Mexico for quite awhile before he moved to Texas. In Texas, he had to test as an NREMT-Basic before he could work. Until he gets his current Paramedic coursework/clinicals completed, he has to function on that level on our mixed unit. He never tested as an...

A good friend of mine did pass in that situation. I wouldn't panic *yet*, but might take it as a hint to study a bit more even if you do pass the examination. When a Paramedic decides he's done learning, it's in everyone's best interest for him to retire immediately. Good luck!

I don't have both state offices' requirements for the Intermediate levels in front of me, but my current EMS partner was originally certified in New Mexico as an EMT-I (state exam). When he moved to Texas, he had to test with the NREMT as an EMT-B. Although he could do some things more...

Okay..true... ya' got me. And more specifically, refers to poor white folk. I ain't rich, and I'm white. My favorite pickup has more Bondo than steel to 'er, and Larry the Cable Guy leaves me swooning. :blush: In the US though, "cracker" also means a little crispy white edible thing...

Eh, "Cracker" works... maybe all west Texas has a lisp then 'cause that's how I hear it as well. "Whacker" brings other thoughts to mind which shouldn't be openly mentioned in somewhat polite mixed company 'round here. :blush: "Crackers": Easily identified with the remote-controlled woo-woo...

Like it was alluded to before... distraction, distraction, distraction! I find it easier to not let the kiddo see the needle at all. Kinda like a patient who's going to be decompressed with that huge 14 g --- don't just dart him like you're gonna stab that roach on the table! For kiddos, I...

Normally I try to just lurk 'round here, but IMHO, that was a pretty harsh statement that EMTs should not take blood glucose measurements. Our protocols allow them to not only obtain the measurement, but treat with Glutose (PO) or Glucogen (IM), depending on the patient's presentation. ALS or...

My pathetic brain kinda leans to the thought: if you are initiating a significant vagal response simply by inserting a suppository intended for rectal administration, then he probably has a few more pending medical problems than originally called for. ;) Hate to be around the next time he...

I'm not trying to start any wars, just kinda confused. With the first post, you indicated that the lungs were clear bilaterally ("LS- clear and Equal bilat."). Your second post states, "After the my partner gave 2mg of narcan IM the pt. began gagging on the OPA and continued to have a gag...

Our system in a mid-sized city recently changed from: A dual-paramedic staffed ambulance with experienced paramedic first responders in pickups to... A Basic EMT/Paramedic staffed ambulance on half of the available ambulances, but with the first responders all remaining as experienced...

Your protocols should be signed by a physician, and as such, you are working as an agent, or an extension of that physician. The protocols should be his rules. But, there exists the possibility that he may be unaware that something was typed incorrectly into the protocol, or that a treatment...

I got started in EMS later in life as well... as a mom too. I was simply looking for an interesting class during the summer and well, I got "hooked" on it since day one of class. I am now a Paramedic with a major 9-1-1 service, with eight years of experience in various other services...