Recent content by Trauma Cop

EMT class is very hard for people that have no prior medical training. It's a big dose of advanced first aid along with anatomy and physiology. A lot of people even find EMT class harder than paramedic class because they are starting from scratch.

Brother, I think it's safe to say you'll always have your share of BS no matter where you work. I guess you got to ask yourself what it is you want. For me, law enforcement loss is excitement but emergency medicine was very interesting to me. I could have done a hundred other things that paid...

You know, I'm really glad you asked me that question. I've been out for about 6 months now and it really helps me to talk about getting out of the job because that's a hard decision after being in it for so long man. You struggle with things daily because as you know, once you're out of the thin...

No I don't. But you have to understand, I did it for 13 years and I got to do everything I wanted to do. I was a firearms instructor, taser instructor, canine handler, fto, sexual assault investigator. When I made the decision to leave, I was well ready. I really enjoyed the department I worked...

yeah, and I'll tell you man, law enforcement just isn't what it used to be. That's an absolute fact. It really used to be fun. Now, people want to throw cameras in your face every time you make contact and of course, everybody this day and time knows their rights even though most of them really...

I'll definitely agree with that. I just think since they are typically both City or County based that education level should come into play. You know what I'm saying? Example, the city that I worked for, police officers made the same thing as paramedics. EMTs didn't make much at all. When you...

Let me elaborate on something. While police training is a lot more extensive than EMT, there is a no damn reason that a cop should make more than a paramedic. Most police academies are around 6 months long so you basically have the equivalent of an advanced EMT as far as training hours...

I don't know if you'll see a jump in EMS but you're definitely seeing a lot of people get out of the job. It's really, really hard to go to work when people don't want you and they give you a hard time even when they don't know you. I enjoyed my job for a really long time and took pride in it. I...

I was a cop for 13 years before I decided to get into EMS. My ultimate decision was made because I worked for an agency with corrupt officers and laxed discipline. I used to really enjoy the job but I got to where I did not want to come into work anymore. Having said that, I found that I really...

That actually helps a lot man. I had noticed skimming through the book that it had went a lot more in depth on anatomy and physiology than EMT did.

Hello, I'm getting ready to start AEMT class on Friday. For those who have been through the course, what did you think about it? Did you get a lot out of it and did you think that it was a good step in the road to paramedic? I know some are going to say it isn't necessary to become a medic but...

You're going to have a hard time until you get that all worked out. You say your area is harsh on DUIs and they should be. Most of the fatalities that I worked over the years were related to DUIs. In my area, they would hire you if, and only if that was behind you. I know EMTs that have gotten...

I responded to a stabbing on the 4th of July where a girl had her throat cut by her ex-husband. I had a tourniquet on me but no gauze. I ended up taking a sheet and packing it into her neck until EMS arrived. They used quick clot.

I've got my wife's vehicle set up pretty good. I've got two pouches in her glove box. One marked trauma and the other marked minor injury. They are out of the way and don't take up any space but have just about everything you need for roadside assistance. Trauma bag has tourniquet, hemostatic...

I've never used a TQ while assisting others. I have however used a lot of gauze to treat minor bleeding. I agree. I was one of the first to get the CAT tourniquet overseas in 2005. I'm a firm believer in them.