Poor sense of direction and EMS

[Asklepian]

My sense of direction is incredibly poor, much worse than what most people mean when they say they have a bad sense of direction. Most people are shocked when the realize the full extent of my directional dysfunction.

For example, I have lived in the same small town my entire life, and still have trouble getting from point A to B even though I have traveled the roads thousands of times. Even if I take a freeway exit or enter a room from a hallway, I wont be able to tell which way I came from.

I will hopefully be applying for my first job in a month and I'm worried about how this will affect my ability to navigate, especially under pressure. Does anyone else suffer from this or have any tips on navigation without relying on a GPS?

 

[cfd3091]

I have my Garmin. Just load the address and zip and it will do the rest. All the Hospitals are loaded as part of the program once you ID the State. If you have a smart phone(I don't) they have an app.

 

[cruiseforever]

Only a fool would rely on a Garmin 100% of the time. Every now and then we find their directions wrong, very wrong. Take out a map book and study it, get a feel for the service area. If you are not sure where you are going, ask your partner for help before you start driving.

 

[Brandon O]

I have an exceptionally poor sense of direction and always have, but have survived working in multiple areas I didn't live. Some tips:

- On days off, go to the service area you'll be covering with a good map (paper) and a GPS (I use my phone). Identify all the hospitals, all the major arteries, and practice navigating. The essential thing is that you can get from any point to any hospital while transporting a patient; the rest of the time your partner can help you navigate (although it may get old for them after a while). In any city, but especially one with a good grid, focus on knowing the main network of big roads, so that you can understand your position relative to those (i.e. you may not know much about "Fiddlehead Lane," but you can see that it's a left off Main St, and Hopeville Hospital is off Main St too, so...). Pick intersections, plan your route there using the map, drive there, then pick a hospital and head there.

- A compass can actually be helpful if there aren't clear landmarks in your area (hills, water, etc).

- Your goal is to master the area, but until then, a GPS will keep you functioning. The most important thing is 1) to at least know enough that you understand if it's giving you totally screwy directions (reality check), and 2) if it craps out on you, you aren't useless.

- GPS tips: I always used a phone. Many people buy dedicated devices which have their advantages, but I like the customization, and I like the Google app. I would always shop around and often try multiple smartphones until I found one with an excellent GPS -- something reliable that would lock on very quickly, pinpoint me closely, and rarely lose signal. Once you have one, I'd program shortcuts onto a screen on the desktop for all the local ERs, so I'd just have to tap once and it'd start navigating there; plus other spots such as bases, posting locations, and commonly visited facilities. This can take some trial and error; you want to make sure the address it's taking you to is the actual ED entrance, not the main lobby or whatever. As with everything, the time to figure out these logistics is before you need it, not while.

- With the right case, you can either prop/wedge your phone in front of the speedometer (on some trucks anyway), or you can carry a rubber band and "figure 8" your phone to your rear view mirror. They also sell car mounts. Don't drive around holding it, that's gauche.

- When your partner's driving, practice with the map book (including just using the thing, which is a developed skill). Identify where you are and figure out how you'd get to various spots from there. Even if your partner knows how to get to a call or wherever, look it up anyway. Practice practice practice. I never picked up any navigational sense without trying; you can drive me around for a year without me paying attention and I won't have learned a thing.

 

[cfd3091]

Only a fool would rely on a Garmin 100% of the time. Every now and then we find their directions wrong, very wrong. Take out a map book and study it, get a feel for the service area. If you are not sure where you are going, ask your partner for help before you start driving.

Never once has that happened, I keep it updated. I guess I'm just lucky.

 

[DesertMedic66]

Never once has that happened, I keep it updated. I guess I'm just lucky.

Just remember that technology can fail. When that happens it is very helpful to know how to read and use a mapbook proficiently.

 

[cfd3091]

Just remember that technology can fail. When that happens it is very helpful to know how to read and use a mapbook proficiently.

I was a tracker in the military, reading a map is not the problem. The areas we operate in are expanding so fast with multiple subs that can cover more than a few square miles each with dozens of new streets, the map books can't be updated fast enough. Even the CAD only give a map grid with no target address. They would be a good back up but they just have not been needed . Those are updated with some regularity but the Garmin still is the better option. I work for two agency's with over 20 stations and two prime time county wide trucks. Knowing your response area is always the best option but unfortunately a few time a shift your just not going to know. Dozens of medics in both agency's use Garmin's and I've never heard of one not getting a truck on scene in under the target response time.

 

[MMiz]

I have a horrible sense of direction, but I found a way to make it work.

When I first starting working in EMS in 2004 I used a Garmin. I was the only one in the company that used one, but I needed it. In addition to being able to type in addresses, it had all the names of hospitals, nursing homes, places to eat, and all the other points of interests stored as easy to find waypoints.

First, I spent countless hours staring at maps of our service area and mapping out routes in my head. Surely if you Google you can find more efficient ways to learn maps.

I spent my days off work driving around and actually testing myself. I'd find a random spot in the city and navigate my way to the hospital. Pretend like it's the real thing and I was able to learn slowly.

If I were working on a rig today I'd probably buy a Garmin nüvi 2797LMT, make sure I also had a dedicated smart phone/tablet with a data plan, the Waze app, and the largest portable battery/charger I could find. This external battery on Amazon could get me through a few shifts if the cigarette lighter wasn't working.

Maps on the rig, GPS, and cell phone backup with a large battery backup. Sounds good to me. Good luck!

 

[NomadicMedic]

True story: TriMed in King County Washington was owned by a guy named Jay, who HATED GPS. it wasn't allowed in his trucks. It was "use the mapbook, damnit!"

I bought a Garmin and kept it in my work bag. I used it on every call and never got lost. My partner and I were used as examples, "these two never get lost!" I finally told Jay and while he was really pissed at me, he relented and allowed GPS in the trucks.

 

[Brandon O]

One of the shortcomings of a GPS is that they're one-trick ponies. If you need to manipulate the geography in any other ways, they usually can't help you. A few examples:

-- "All units, access the scene from Tremont St, not from ****ens."

-- "Be advised, Route 1 closed down from exit 22 to exit 24; use city streets."

-- "Ambulance 61, Paramedic 33 is going to intercept you at the corner of Fillings and Herpaderp."

-- "A61, respond to the north lot of the stadium."

 

[MMiz]

Great point, I completely forgot about that. Calls on highways and specific routing directions would sometimes throw us for a loop. Still, having two up front when responding to a scene meant we were able to find our way (most of the time).

 

[cruiseforever]

Never once has that happened, I keep it updated. I guess I'm just lucky.

Yes you are. It's gotten to the point if we use the Garmin, we are suppose to double check with the map book. We do updates on the GPS unit 3-4 times a year.

 

[triemal04]

For those who say to just rely on a GPS I have a question:

How does the GPS decide which route to take?

Does it take into account local traffic patterns?

Does it account for roads that are designated arterials but inherently slow due to geography or other factors?

Does it route you through residential areas because the distance is shorter?

Can you use it as an electronic map and determine your own route?

What happens when the caller gives an address that is just slightly off and thus doesn't show up?

What happens when you have to respond to an intersection? Or a general area?

How safe is it to be driving while having to constantly look at a very small electronic screen to determine your route?

Guess that was a bunch of questions...and really just the tip of the iceberg.

The bottom line is you need to know your responce area. It is fine to use a GPS as a backup, as a source of extra info or broad guideline (while you still determine your own route), but if all you can do is go by what it shows you....well...my personal opinion is that after a certain amount of time, if that's still the case, you should be fired. Because you aren't capable of performing your job.

Spend the time needed, however much that is, to learn your response area. That doesn't mean you won't ever need to look at a map, but you should know how to get to the general area (within a few blocks/few hundred yards) just by the address and know what the best route is without something having to tell you.

Look for trends in your areas addressing; most places will have the different types of streets (streets, avenues, drives, places and such) only running in one direction. Or the directional designator (NE, NW, SE, SW) may tell you which way that street runs. Look at the building numbers; are all the odd and even numbers on specific sides?

There are lots of tricks to make things easier on you.

Using a GPS as your sole resource IS NOT ONE OF THEM.

 

[COmedic17]

I have unlimited data and use my cell phone. If I know it's rush hour or whatever, I can choose alternate routes. I have one of those cell phone holders that snaps onto the air vent so it's hands free.


And I have it say the directions so I don't need to look at the screen.

 

[triemal04]

I have unlimited data and use my cell phone. If I know it's rush hour or whatever, I can choose alternate routes. I have one of those cell phone holders that snaps onto the air vent so it's hands free.


And I have it say the directions so I don't need to look at the screen.

But if you don't know your area and all you do is rely on the GPS you won't be able to choose an alternate route.

GPS's are great, they just need to be used as a backup, or secondary source of info, not as the primary.

 

[COmedic17]

But if you don't know your area and all you do is rely on the GPS you won't be able to choose an alternate route.

GPS's are great, they just need to be used as a backup, or secondary source of info, not as the primary.

But I do know my area, so I can choose an alternate route. I use a GPS for validation. I can get to the area on my own, but if it's a large apartment community, I don't bother memorizing building numbers. I also don't have every residential neighborhood side street memorized. I can get to the general area, but a gps validates exact locations.


If you don't know your area in the least, nothing is going to help you.
A map book isn't going to update on new/closed routes, traffic, construction, etc. A GPS won't tell you which route is the most time efficient.


If you have no idea of your area then you should spend your free time driving around and figuring it out.

But if you have good grasp on main streets and a general idea where things are located, a gps does fine.

 

[triemal04]

You're doing it right; I'm talking about people who think all you need is a GPS and who will follow it's route no matter what.

 

[COmedic17]

Don't most departments and agencies require a geography type exam? Everywhere I have ever worked required one.

 

[triemal04]

Not all. Most...maybe, not going to guess. But a test like that can be passed by rote memorization, and then, if that information isn't used on a regular basis, it'll be soon forgotten.

 

[CALEMT]

Don't most departments and agencies require a geography type exam? Everywhere I have ever worked required one.

Places that I've worked have had like a quiz to see how well you knew the area. It wasn't a if you fail your fired type of thing, but more along the lines of you need to study the are more type of thing. My old FTO at my BLS IFT company gave me a "quiz" with a thomas brothers and gave addresses of SNF's, hospitals, etc. Where I worked as a seasonal had everything from streets in our IA to where the radio repeaters were located.