I'm Flattered
Q: Does South Africa have Private / Public EMS?
Both, I might just as well tell you beforehand that I am not a racist, but I will be making comments on different societies in SA (Effect of Apartheid). The Provincial EMS are slow responding, and mostly on the ambu's, badly disciplined. They don't have sufficient supplies, etc. Private services are the type of people that give 1st world countries uphill at EMS competitions. They are run as bussinesses, and have excellent infrastructure. They are the ones you call. The Provincial EMS mostly serve the Black community, although they overlap a lot. Thus they get the most experience.
Q: What type of response times can one expect?
In an urban area, with Private services, anything between 2 and 6 mins. They have Response Cars/
Q: What are typical treatments / objects on an ambulance?
Suction; O2; Scoop; Spine board; 2 types of IV fluid; OP tubes, kernspregd* device; Defib... thats mainly.
Treatments: ALL trauma pts get cspine treatment, then most get IVs, and some get Morfine.
Q: What kind of status do you have in society? What kind of job would people compare you to?
White ppl think we are heroes, and want to help, and ask questions, etc.
Black ppl (generalizing) think we are the police, they hate the police, thus they shoot at us, and disrespect us.
<--- Ambu window
h34r:
Q: How is EMS paid for? Cash? Insurance? A mix?
Mostly, contracts, paid per month. Not so big on Med Insurance and stuff.
Anything between R3000 and R22 000 p/m. Exchange rate= R/$: 6.45/1
Q: What kind of oversight do you have?
As in supervision? Provincial can do what they want basically, but private are quick to fire you if you screw up.
Q: Do you do any rescue work?
Myself? Just assistance in extrications etc. Otherwise, the FD handles high-angle, and that sort of thing.
Q: Cant kind of meds do you have on board?
*What kinds?
Not sure. Not on that level. I can only give oral glucose, and assist in other things. The paramedics have dozens of drugs with them. And they administer without permission.
Q: Are you considered an ambulance with 1 trained person and a driver, or do you need 2 trained people?
There are the disgraceful companies. But are in the minority. All other ambu's have at least 2 qualified full time crew (at least one level 6), and perhaps a volunteer.
Q: What types of calls do you see a lot of? Car accidents? Cardiac arrests? or is it varied?
A LOT of MVA's, mostly drunk teen's. And a LOT of minibusses. They are the taxi's of the Blacks. They alway's have place for one more- thus in such MVA's, there were usually about 20-40 people in the taxi. (Record=84)
Then there are the assaults. mostly blacks. Bicycle spokes, knives, GSW's, pipes, etc. But under that falls the rapes. These ppl are so perverted im not laughing now. There has even been a number of infant, and neonate rapes. God-Awfull.
Q: How are patients that require dialysis, or non-emergent transport to a hospital transferred? Do you have a private or non-emergency service?
We don't really have non-emergency ambu's, the sucky companies do this, or otherwise, the private services make a good job of it.
<---Sucky <_<
Hope you enjoyd my ESSAY!!!!
sorry about all da pic's. B)
OK, their all the same thing...
