Recent content by burntbob

when I started When I started in 78 we were in low top dodge vans with windows all around and cloth curtains. No AC, single rotating light on top and some flashers and a siren with one sound-- me-maw-me-maw. The nice thing about those rigs were the fact they were light,fast and maneuvered...

panic code The standard here is to say " vehicle number and 10-2000" as the panic code. You're not supposed to have to repeat it though if you can to give more details -- the police like to know what they might be running into. The SOP is that Communications calls all vehicles to switch to...

blind nasal As they always say, BLS first-- good airway, 02, careful ventilation, cautious suctioning and good C spine control. Last thing you want is an airway full of blood and a vomiting patient. Then ALS--If you don't have an ALS backup Plan B for when you've snowed them and taken...

burntbob came from a particularly frustrating period in my career when I considered myself a bit " crispy"....but hung on till things got better.

Kill Batteries not Backs It's still amazing that the ambulance industry thinks paramedics are expendable resources and we let them get away with it. Lots of other places on the planet have OH&S legislation with teeth and making it worth the industry's while to come up with workable minumum lift...

Trade shows, product demand and legislation It's tough when the ambulance industry in North America doesn't have this idea on it's radar at all. I was down at EMSEXPO in Las Vegas last year and not a single vehicle provider had a stretcher lift to add to vehicles or build in. Not even for...

Street( Protest )medics sources Theres a lot of " unofficial " research and trial and error experimentation been done by the folks who believe in civil demonstration. The information is often very practical and sound alternative treatment. here's an example...

lawsuits Testifying in court are pretty common up here as we are called in as witnesses for coroners inquests , civil lawsuits, criminal cases etc. etc. It's not so bad if you are just there to witness to what you saw or did and aren't the chief focus of the case. Even then the lawyers...

safety first My biggest concern with body jewelry, be it earings or piercings is that if someone wants to hurt you all they have to do it grab and pull....., and those bars and studs in the eyebrows!-One quick swipe and you're blind in that eye,... too risky when dealing with the drunks...

survival A good attitude, balanced life and work and and taking care of yourself mentally & physically are the big things. A big part is having a life outside of work,( not always easy),and having a good mentor or neutral person who you can explore issues with if things start to bother you...

Ontario Ontario Primary Care Paramedic ( PCP) is a two year program at a community college, not sure of the current rates. You still have to write the provincial AEMCA Exam to practice. Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) is another year on top of that. the Professional Paramedic Association...

Falls and ice cleats best thing one can do is plan for ice and like any call deal with the hazards first. That can be as easy as spreading some salt/sand or nonclumping kitty litter ( new clumping stuff just gets wet and slippery),no point getting hurt and maybe being not able to help the...

New photo site Hi All MY cornbinder site vanished when the provider packed it in.... I've posted most shots on photobucket and have new pics of an old 68 Van rig I found. http://s63.photobucket.com/albums/h159/burntbob1/ If you can save an old ambulance it's worth it. Every time you...

WEbsite pictures at oldambulance@cornbinder.com Sorry folks my website provider went down and posted a " temporary problem" notice but never came back on line again. Can't complain too much as it was a free site but I haven't had the time to start up a new one. We moved to a new fleet...

With diverse organizations at a scene that may involve major roles for all I like working with the "Emergency Site Management" system rather than ICS. ESM is more of a shared leadership role where the "emergency site manager" , no matter what organization they come from, has to take off that...