Recent content by pumper12fireman

Haha, that's what my problem is..I'll have to remember that...

Thank you. We were shown this in medic but I had forgot the name of the website. In the short time I've had my license one of the big things I've learned is: 1. How important lung sounds are, even as a basic 2. How hard it is to hear them in a moving rig 3. How much of an idiot you feel like...

Along the same lines of what wyoming medic said.. In the year that I've had my basic license I have- Been kicked in the junk 4x Been puked on Helped a few old ladies feel better by just holding their hand when they asked Seen death Seen a baby take it's first breath Got yelled at...

I took PHTLS today for the first time (I'm a medic student). I was curious to know if any others had similar/different experiences. In our final practical assessment exam, we had one "team member" to be used at your discretion.That team member could not make any pt. care suggestions or txs, etc...

Okay, sorry for the delay. I'm a medic student and was the EMT on this call. So, I had to double check with my partner on exacts of lung sounds. Lung sounds were clear in all fields. CP/SOA started 2 hours prior to our arrival. BP was equal in both arms. Also, no complaints of "feeling sick" or...

This is true of our department as well (unless we're hoping for a fire). Last week one of the guys said that he "wished for a good MVC". Two hours later, we're cutting a DOA out while putting the deceased's mother on a LSB getting ready to run her hot to a trauma center. So, we don't wish...

I do, for some strange reason get nervous before CPR check-off. Even in ACLS I was nervous to do our BLS CPR check-off. It's silly to be nervous, after awhile it becomes very, very mundane and routine. So, you're not alone.

I was paging through my PHTLS book and came across a quote that caught my eye. I'll paraphrase- "Your patients did not choose you to be their care provider. YOU chose to care for THEM. They deserve your very best at all times." In short, I believe this includes your education. If you really...

1400- cold day about 25 degrees outside. Dispatched on 72 y/o female with CP/SOA. Upon your arrival, ambulance is able to be parked 10 feet from apartment door. You have a crew of 3, 1 medic, 2 EMTs. You find a well kept floor level apartment. Pt is sitting in recliner in visible distress. Pain...

Did the vomit have that "coffee ground" like appearance? Any blood in vomit or stool?? I doubt you'd have this info, but maybe social hx of alcoholism, or with chronic HTN, some sort of espohageal varice ruptured?? It'd be very interesting to see if you can get any follow up info...

Title at work is Firefighter/EMT-B..title at clinicals/school is paramedic intern. However, the name i'm usually called is not appropriate for here..

1. I'm 20 and most guys I work with are around my age, or over their 40's. 2. Never married, so no...but with medic school, relationships have been impossible (unless I'm dating someone in EMS0 3. Caffeine all the time, and cigarettes too... 4. On my days off I usually get fully rested, but...

First, go to fire school. Decide if you like emergency services and being an FF/EMT. If you do enjoy it, and make it, then you can make an informed decision based off experience. I will be honest, I went to medic too soon. I did not realize how MUCH responsibility lies within a medic's hands. It...

Having worked in systems WITH fire response and currently in a system WITHOUT fire response, I'd have to agree that we (EMS and fire) are NOT the same. A little background- started out of a combined Fire Academy/EMT class, started at a fire department that did not transport. Training was always...

From your description of the scene, I wouldn't have "worked" this patient. It seems like signs of obvious death were present. AND, you are completely correct in that performing CPR or other interventions can upset the family/bystanders. Which in the proper situation is just part of it, BUT, in...