Recent content by vienessewaltzer

I just took the class final which is a separate test from the state exam (basically to give us an antecedent preparatory exam). Apparently, it was 3-5 points harder than the state test is perceived to be. I ended up with an 83, but the questions were tremendously open-ended. One question that...

10 minutes left until I leave my current job...which is not as an EMT unfortunately. Bored out of my skull doing 8 hours a day as a level 1 help desk rep. Going straight to 4 hours of pure, unaltered EMT class after. Running on about 3 or 4 hours of sleep.

I'm taking the NYS test in 2 weeks. I'm fairly nervous, as well, even though I obtained a 95 in the course so far. I have studied and am ready for the practical side of the test, but the written I heard is mildly difficult. I will be busting out the protocol and trying to memorize as much of...

Well, I had a call for a patient that went down yesterday. In order to stay brief, we'll just say CPR was initiated and this was my first call where this has happened. I had a few silly blunders, but for the most part it was because I didn't understand the flow of the call. Normally when...

I would suggest reading your local protocol to find out what to do in any particular situation. In NY, the medical examiner/investigator gets contacted and dispatched for DOA's. Basically, your state's protocol will provide a much more granular answer.

So do you have any allergies, sir? (ssAmmmm) Oh right, what about any medication? (sssaaammmppp) right! Any pertinent medical history!? Haha. I'm terrible at this. Though I have been practicing my patient assessments, this phenomenon still occurs with most of my classmates and I...

Stethoscopes are also commonly not sterilized between patients. It's probably an old phenomenon, but I'm sure it still occurs in some agencies.

Well, I've run three calls so far as a second medic, one of which got cancelled. So, technically I've physically run two calls. The first call wasn't bad, I was just the "go get this"/"go get that" guy. The second call, I was actually asked to perform various tasks which I feel I struggled...

Ahhh, I hate to say this due to the negative connotation that volunteer ambulances seem to have on this site, but I'm volunteer and thus can have three hours shifts. I wish I had more time on the rig though. There are never training shifts open at the ambulance I work for! I was pumped to be...

Well, my shift was from 1200-1500, so there was no way it was gonna get dark. Weather was clear haha. Good habit to get into though I would imagine!

First call finally! It was pretty cool because on my way to the base I pulled over for fire to pass me. They were driving at a normal rate of speed so I could see where they were going and they pulled into an apartment complex directly across from HQ. I was bummed at first because I didn't...

darn. I could have swore the video had today's date on it. Oh well. Should have used the search function:unsure:

http://krmg.com/blogs/the_krmg_morning_news_blog/2009/05/video-ok-highway-patrol-parame.html

I have my first shift the weekend after next. If we actually receive a call, I will update!

I've done this on a few more volunteers, and I have to say tight clothing makes this a breeze. I'm certainly starting to get the hang of it by holding the patients wrist for a longer "pulse" and counting the respiration rate. Thanks for all the suggestions!