Recent content by CH100

Rocket, you sound like you have a pretty good head on your shoulders. Much of what happens to a newly-graduated paramedic depends on where he or she lands. An organization with a strong Field Training and Evaluation Program will teach that new medic the things that he needs to be successful...

Actually, that IS the example. We routinely have 8-9 people on the scene of a code - in Wake County. 9E1 dispatch gets an engine company (3-4), an ambulance with 2, and two "others" (either another ambulance, an APP, or a District Chief) for 2-3 more.

Since you already have a BS degree, you are ideally positioned for PA school, which are mostly MS programs these days. You may need a few prerequisites. Talk with the officer/medical program recruiters for Army, Navy, and Air Force - the programs change all the time, but they may be willing to...

Not true, grasshopper! Nurses do a lot more than administer drugs and treatments prescribed by MDs, and they are not supervised or evaluated by MDs - it's always other nurses. And there is a whole additional body of "stuff" that nurses handle with no orders and no physician involvement...

In our system, paramedics aren't chiefs - they are clinicians. While all are qualified to serve as "team leader," our "way" is that one person serves as team leader, and all others fall in to defined parts. Your response really clarifies the difference. "Once you've got the airway...."...

I REALLY dislike the concept of having someone driving an ambulance who does not regularly drive an ambulance, isn't familiar with the vehicle, doesn't know its handling or where the buttons and switches are, etc. Prefer (greatly) to call another EMS folk to drive!

Successful resuscitation means "left the hospital neurologically intact." Why is some number "too many"? If more people on scene = greater success, what's the problem? If it was your mom or dad, wouldn't you want them to have the greatest possible chance? That's our standard of care...

How about "get more help"? Is that not available in your community? In a hospital, they use 5-8 people to manage an arrest. Why would we try with any less if there was a choice? In our system, we use the "pit crew" concept where everybody has a job and sticks to it. One person is the...