The body will break down all carbs to their simplest form, monosaccharides. The benefit to natural sources as mentioned comes from the other vitamins, minerals, fiber and other micro nutrients which provide their own nutritional and health benefits in addition to the carbs themselves (carbs have...
Unfortunately, this is a problem applies to any provider level. I've seen this due to a number/combination of things: ego, cynicism, burn out, complacency, laziness.
Any/every job or profession is going to have its gold stars and its bad apples.
True, fruit would be considers simple. But to be labeled as unhealthy as a result is incorrect. Also, the sugar of natural, whole, raw fruit is in no way equivalent to factory processed, refined table sugar like that found in a candy bar.
Regarding the lower back itself and keeping it healthy, check the "Lower Back Health" thread. I got long winded on my post there but it's worth repeating. Keeping your lower back healthy is about so much more than your back; the lumbar is actually only a small portion of the whole.
The blanket statement that all carbs are of the devil is simply false. Processed, refined carbs such as general junk food, fast food, prepackaged and frozen items, various drinks, etc. - those carb sources can lead to health issues if consumed in abundance over a prolonged period consistently...
With regards to learning drugs, perhaps the simplest thing would be instead to make a list of the drugs your service/area carries as well as some others that my also be common overall. Work on those first. I don't recall how many drugs we learned in my class but I know there's many that I've...
The funny thing is, the problem most likely is not your lower back but rather a number of other things. The vast majority of our population (not just EMS but Western culture in general) breaks down something like this:
Heeled boots/shoes:
Leads to tightened calf muscles. This leads to issues...
I'm going to have to side with chaz90 on this one so far. His change in presentation being only that of shivering from point A to point B isn't a huge concern. In fact, if it were a case of a febrile illness the chills/shaking is simply a physiological byproduct of the skin feeling cold despite...
A few months ago...
Night shift so we have to be let in. Once inside the hallway splits, either continuing straight or to the right.
"Where are we going?"
"Oh, to the left"
"So... right?" No answer, keeps walking straight as we go right.
In the room, 2 nurses. Female patient, one keeps saying...
This is when I was still an EMT but doin' my medic learnin'. Chest pain, at least an hour or so before they call 911... "I checked his blood pressure, it was 70/40 so I gave him nitro."
My medic partner and I didn't even look at each other, just both kinda stopped in our tracks for a...
Where I'm at, and have been, CPAP is used simply as another O2 delivery method when warranted whether CHF/pulmonary edema or COPD/bronchospasm. In either case, you treat CHF/COPD as indicated normally. In moderate distress, CPAP enters the picture as a 'consideration'; meaning you can either put...
Pretty much any form of studying ahead of time will be of benefit. The more time spent doing so the better. Didactic will feel like (and it kind of is) a ton of info coming at you all the time. Learning rhythms, meds, whatever... it will all help ease the burden when that time comes. Do you know...
Good advice form all so far so I'll toss in my couple pennies on something else. You said you're 19, married with a baby. Just make sure that both you and your wife understand that this field comes with long hours, funky schedules, possibly more than 1 job to make good money and/or stress and...
For now while you're in the course and studying based on NREMT standards use the skill sheets as you're guide. It will make testing easier and it's a solid foundation to build on. Repitition and consistency are the key. You can never really get enough practice since pretty much everything we do...
Remi makes a good point here. At one time I was considering the possibility of heading down the RT route after having been a medic for a little while. The problem I had/have is actually a fortunate one to face. I make too much working where I do (as much, if not more than a new RT). It wouldn't...
"Tell us about yourself"
"Why do you want to work here?"
Have those 2 answers ready to go, rehearsed and memorized (do some company research for the 2nd one) and you're likely to have a leg up on most others. There's more general questions I'd suggest but those 2 seem to be universal - and...
Cali is somewhat like that. National Reg is pretty much only a thing for initial licensure. Past that with subsequent renewals and basically anytime else CA could care less. Also, CA recognizes only EMT (at the basic level) and Paramedic - no in between, no AEMT or anything of the sort. About...
I'm not sure what the numbers are but the big H does seem to be making a big comeback or sorts where I'm at. Meth is still a biggie but heroin is certainly gaining ground in the popularity polls (2 ODs this past week that I'm aware of). Same thing in my previous area. Meth, crack and heroin...
Setting the ball rolling on 911 abuse case sounds like an obvious first step here. Of course, this means (depending on how things are done where you're at) involving immediate supervisors up to and/or including company and/or agency medical directors, dispatch and LEOs.
The boys (and girls) in...
It looks like everyone else has covered the main points here so I won't beat that horse any more. I will ask this though.... OP what is your experience level? Fairly new to EMS and/or fairly new to 911? Just a guess (and I could be wrong and it's meant with no offense) but it sounds like this...