AJ Hidell
Forum Deputy Chief
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There is no aspect of EMS where the pointless "monkey see - monkey do" culture exists than in radio communications. There are so many things that people say on the radio for no other reason than that's what they heard someone else say, without ever giving a single intelligent thought to why they should or should not say it. Here's my list of the top annoying things that people say on the radio:
Be advised - (ex. "Be advised we're transporting.") Could there possibly be a more pointless term?
Gonna be - (ex. "Be advised we're gonna be transporting to...") Don't tell me what you're "gonna be" doing. Tell me what you are doing.
At this time - (ex. "Be advised we're gonna be transporting at this time") Everything you say should be at this time. It is things that are in the past or future that should be qualified.
Times 1 - ("Be advised we're gonna be transporting times 1 at this time...") No kidding, Captain Obvious! We dispatched you to a chest pain. We weren't exactly expecting that you'd be transporting multiple patients. No clarification needed!
Subject - (ex. "Medic 3 respond to a subject having chest pain.") Subject is a term for a person of interest who does not fit into any other category. A patient is not a subject. A victim is not a subject. A caller is not a subject. An assailant is not a subject.
Complainant - (ex. "Medic 3, be advised your complainant fell and hit his head.") Complainant is a legal term in law enforcement, not a medical patient or a caller for that patient. They're not complaining. They are requesting our services.
Anyone have any others? Feel free to add your own.
Be advised - (ex. "Be advised we're transporting.") Could there possibly be a more pointless term?
Gonna be - (ex. "Be advised we're gonna be transporting to...") Don't tell me what you're "gonna be" doing. Tell me what you are doing.
At this time - (ex. "Be advised we're gonna be transporting at this time") Everything you say should be at this time. It is things that are in the past or future that should be qualified.
Times 1 - ("Be advised we're gonna be transporting times 1 at this time...") No kidding, Captain Obvious! We dispatched you to a chest pain. We weren't exactly expecting that you'd be transporting multiple patients. No clarification needed!
Subject - (ex. "Medic 3 respond to a subject having chest pain.") Subject is a term for a person of interest who does not fit into any other category. A patient is not a subject. A victim is not a subject. A caller is not a subject. An assailant is not a subject.
Complainant - (ex. "Medic 3, be advised your complainant fell and hit his head.") Complainant is a legal term in law enforcement, not a medical patient or a caller for that patient. They're not complaining. They are requesting our services.
Anyone have any others? Feel free to add your own.