I think that would largely depend on the run volume. If they only get a few calls a day it wouldn't be so bad. There's a completely volunteer ems service in the county over from us. They ran just over 400 calls last year.
If they want to take charge of the scene I always ask docs and nurses who their malpractice insurance provider is and their name and address so we have it for our records. They usually take the hint. I never turn away helping hands at least until I get the patient to the truck but I have enough...
I used to carry knives and a leatherman and a flashlight and shears. What I found was I never used anything besides the shears. We had big maglights on the truck and tools at the station in case I needed to tighten something up on the truck.
I had problems with my batman utility belt getting...
Supraglottic airways are often overlooked because it's considered a "basic skill." A lot of medics consider it a faux pas to use king airways or LMAs and tunnel vision on the intubation.
We've started using vividtracs at our system. I'm not a fan because you have to hook into a laptop. Something like the king vision seems like it would be a better alternative.
I like to look at the capnography before I give a duoneb treatment. Especially if the patient already is tachycardic. Sometimes that's not always an option. Always listen to breathe sounds. Any sort of wheezing and it's probably a good bet to give a duoneb. Our protocol also recommends it for...
Can you think of a particular agency near where you live you want to work for? I'd start there.
By all means go for the NR just keep in mind that not every emt-b program will set you up for success in that regard and that a lot of work and effort on your part and independent study is required...
Every medic is different. Just ask them how they want stuff done. When you work with the same people after a while you will learn people's preferences.
That rule doesn't work well if you are using blind or partially blind insertion techniques. Intubation through a SALT airway, etc. You have to monitor the depth of your tube. You're not going to be able to visualize the chords every intubation.
I 100% agree. Even with three people in the back I've never been impressed with the quality of compressions that are possible while bouncing down the road. Our agency is contemplating permitting us to work on a scene and call our own cease efforts. It's odd we don't have that since we're...
The answer to your first question is where would you rather live and work? It's a bit of a faux pas to answer a question with a question but that is the best answer I can come up with.
The answer to your second question is a bit more complicated and dependent on a few factors. Number one is...
Sadly we lack scoops. A few of our local volunteer fire departments have scoops for wilderness rescue purposes.
For codes unless it's a doa we pretty much have no choice but to transport. It's nearly impossible to get orders for cease efforts.