what is a "whacker" to you?

[jazzydoc11]

ok, somebody please help me out here. i'm coming from being an Army Medic and am new to the civilian side of emergency meds. i've read on numerous post about "whackers". so Please somebody, what the heck is a dogon whacker?

 

[Mountain Res-Q]

http://www.emtlife.com/showthread.php?t=2600

http://www.emtlife.com/showthread.php?t=14170

If you want I could list several whackers that post/have posted here if you want examples. ^_^ But...

In short: MFR or EMT that just got their cert and feel that it is now their personal resposibility to save the world; although whackers know no specific age or length of time in EMS.

L&S on POV. Jump bag bigger than an ambo's in your truck. Scanner on 24/7. Jumping calls without belonging to a emergency service organization. Carrying your own radio with you 24/7. Buying pretty much anything from Galls. Turning your POV into an ambo. Buying your own gold badge to put in your wallet. Wearing nothing but t-shirts that say EMS or EMT on them. Racing Fire Engines to the scene of a call you heard on a scanner. Stoping for every car accident and declaring yourself the IC. <cough> <couhg> Posting about nothing but boots, the benifits of LED lights, your favorite stethoscope, how you can get blue lights on your toyota crapola, what knives and trauma shears you carry, what your favorite batbelt accessories are, how you can legally get oxygen tanks for your car, if a standard backboard will fit into your toyota crapola... you get the idea.

But it can be pretty much wrapped up in the idea that some believe that getting a certificate from your state stating that you are now an EMT-B measn that you have the authority and/or resposibility to save the world. The cert card becomes a badge to some, with some hidden Super Hero status that I am unaware of. Also, they tend to believe that their shiny new card from NREMT means that they are the end-all/be-all of Emergency Services and are... SPECIAL... :wacko:

They are also the ones who most often use the phrases "we were taught to do this..." or "you are suppossed to..." to which they end their authoritative statements with gems of knowledge like explaining to EMS veterans how to administer oral glucose or how to ventilate a patient... mind you, they just started their EMT class 2 weeks ago after being an "customer relations supervisor" at McDonalds for 4 months...

Again... I could point out a few great posts that highlight this... but, I have very few forum violations, and would like to keep it that way...

 

[Simusid]

Well I guess I'm *almost* a whacker then

I'm a new basic and yes, I have a decent bag in my car with way more than I ever will need (I hope). No lights, no O2, no board though. Sure, part of it was the excitement of becoming a basic. But my (handwaving rationalization) justification is that I work on a closed campus of about 4000 people with a rudimentary on call nurse and no AEDs. There are two people in my immediate office with known heart conditions.... I just want to be ready!

 

[subliminal1284]

I personally dont believe carrying a bag in your vehicle alone makes you a whacker as long as you dont go overboard on it and stock it with things like oxygen and glucose, etc. I dont have one in my car but I guess it is better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

 

[HotelCo]

I have one pair of gloves on my car, and a cell phone. That's it. Well.. Usually there is a stethosocope floating around in there too, but that's because I don't take it in the house.

 

[zaboomafoozarg]

What's wrong with being a whacker anyhow? Sure I suppose it could get annoying if the person has a know it all personality, but someone getting irritated by how zealously someone else takes their choice of profession is just immature.




I tell you right now, I'd sure as heck rather have all "whackers" for EMT's and Paramedics running around who really really care about their job and saving lives, rather than indifferent EMS workers who only want to put in their time and get the heck out.

So what on earth is the big deal?

 

[mct601]

What's wrong with being a whacker anyhow? Sure I suppose it could get annoying if the person has a know it all personality, but someone getting irritated by how zealously someone else takes their choice of profession is just immature.




I tell you right now, I'd sure as heck rather have all "whackers" for EMT's and Paramedics running around who really really care about their job and saving lives, rather than indifferent EMS workers who only want to put in their time and get the heck out.

So what on earth is the big deal?

I think they're referring to the knowitalls that believe they've reached a prestigious status that entitles them to special abilities and overall just "cool". nothing wrong with taking your job seriously, but these are the people that dress entirely in their EMS clothing and talk about the horrendous calls that they see and use large medical terms even in the presense of non-medical people, almost as if they want to impress others with their knowledge. I've seen it far too many times.

 

[daedalus]

OP, the California Highway Patrol conducted a study to determine the most effective use of warning lights to keep emergency personnel safe. They determined it was a rear facing yellow light. If you are ever in California you will notice that most if not all ambulances, CHP cars, and fire engines have rear facing yellow warning lights now.

Red and blue were shown to be dangerous. Ill try and find you a link.

 

[EchoMikeTango]

On the jersey shore we call them Jimmys. Because, of course of a super large whacker names James. We were working in the ER one night, and OB was on the way down... ( had a patient who was going to give birth in about an hour) after several minutes of searching the charge nurse called him over head a few times. he finally emerged out of the gyno room in full gown gloves and mask and yells....
" WHAT..... IM DELIVERING A BABY..."

I almost died laughing so hard. man. he didnt ever live that down. So now when we get overzealous ERT's, we just call them Jimmy.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

 

[Cory]

Whacker is term used by people on this forum to complain about the ones who don't think exactly like them (somewhat serious, somewhat not)


Labels are just labels.

 

[Mountain Res-Q]

What's wrong with being a whacker anyhow?

What part of the superhero garbage above is okay? A Whacker does more than care about the guts and glory behind that they perceive to be real EMS. They go overboard and make it their personal responsibility to save the world. Real EMS Professional do not have that attitude. They understand the reality of EMS and care about the field to a correct degree

Sure I suppose it could get annoying if the person has a know it all personality, but someone getting irritated by how zealously someone else takes their choice of profession is just immature.

My definition, all whackers feel that they “know it all”, otherwise, what would posses them to believe that they NEED to save the world or that 110 (minimum) hours of EMT class makes them qualified or responsible to “be prepared” for everything that will not happen. 90% of all whackers fall into the category of new EMT or MFR (almost never Medics or higher) who just got their cert (or are still in class, but think that this is good enough). Any whackerdom that exists in noobs usually goes away after they stop pretending to be heroes and get real life experience as to REALITY! Then the whacker experience goes away (hopefully).

I tell you right now, I'd sure as heck rather have all "whackers" for EMT's and Paramedics running around who really really care about their job and saving lives, rather than indifferent EMS workers who only want to put in their time and get the heck out.

You are confusing zeal, a love for the profession, and a genuine interest in helping people with people who want to save the world and believe that they have some divine authority now that NREMT gave them a laminated card. You obviously don’t understand what whackers are. A whacker doesn’t respond in an ambo or engine with authority to do so, the training to do so, the equipment to do so, or a profound sense of the responsibility that have as a authorized responder. A whacker drives around in a POV with a scanner and a truck full of Galls Medical Gear in the trunk looking to go play hero. You want that helping you? That is dangerous. Try researching some past articles online about whackers; people who toy with patient care and (at times) cause life threatening problems; like the recent report of the man who was pretending to be a cop and pulling people over to give them tickets. He went so far as to request backup over official frequencies when the person he was trying to pull over wouldn’t. Or the man who claimed to be a FF/EMT (not really) and showed up at an accident and (since no one questioned this) was “assisting” Medics and FFs on a MCI situation; going so far as to join the medics in the back of the ambo on a code 3 return. What the heck? Now many whackers do not go this far, but the underlying mental issues remain the same. They are full of zeal, but have no right to do what they are doing. Does that shinny EMT cert give us that right just because we have the same zeal? I don’t want burnouts treating me… but I DO NOT WANT whackers treating me either… who knows who they really are and such? Official responders show up in official identified units with uniform and THE RIGHT to be there. Whackers do not and should not be trusted just because they appear to care.

I So what on earth is the big deal?

A question that proves that some people do not understand the real world of EMS or Emergency Services. You want to be a hero… go to Hollywood and join the cast of Trauma. The big deal is that this Rescue Rick attitude brings down the field of EMS and endangers lives. The second you think that zeal and an EMT cert makes you special and gives you the right to play hero is the second that you have already halted any attempts to be a real EMSer…

For the record... 95% of the poeplo on this forum have great zeal for what they do. They care... too much sometimes... They get paid crap, work horrible hours in horrible environments, and see things that you can only imagine. They keep on going... why? THEY CARE!!! But the true professionals here can never be called whacker. They not only care but they have the experience, education, and knowledge to back up that zeal... experience, education, and knowledge kick you out of the whacker phase quick... unless you enjoy that state of insanity and naivety.

 

[zaboomafoozarg]

My bad.

You obviously don’t understand what whackers are.

True.

Only time I've seen the term "whacker" is to refer to someone who owns a lot of personal emergency gear. Not the above attitude/behavior.

Because I've only seen people say stuff like, "Oh my gosh, you bought your own coat with an EMS symbol on it instead of using the uniform provided, you are a whacker," I thought it was entirely equipment related. I didn't know the accompanying characteristics which people subconsciously apply to the term as well.

Sorry to make you make such a huge reply to me when I didn't even disagree with you

 

[VCEMT]

I'm not a whacker, I have a gal for that. Though, come on. Who wouldn't visit a L.A. City station, S.F.F.D. station, Chicago F.D. station, Boston F.D. station, or Tokyo fire station?

 

[daedalus]

What's wrong with being a whacker anyhow? Sure I suppose it could get annoying if the person has a know it all personality, but someone getting irritated by how zealously someone else takes their choice of profession is just immature.




I tell you right now, I'd sure as heck rather have all "whackers" for EMT's and Paramedics running around who really really care about their job and saving lives, rather than indifferent EMS workers who only want to put in their time and get the heck out.

So what on earth is the big deal?

There are a lot of reasons why whackers are terrible for our profession. You can find some excellent posts by some of our highly educated and experienced members (and a lot from people who no longer post here) from the search function.

 

[zaboomafoozarg]

I know. I was confused as to all the implied meanings behind the term.

 

[Cory]

Again, it is just a derogatory label.

And I cannot understand how stereotyping, putting down, and totaly offending a whole group of people is any less harmful to EMS than being overly-enthusiastic.

 

[mcdonl]

Confusing....

I know. I was confused as to all the implied meanings behind the term.

I get it... whacker... NOT a real EMT, on duty or responding under the authority of an EMS...

But, what about the guy who is a volly, and PROUD A HELL to be a part of a team of fire fighters and EMS? Is it bad to want to wear a jacket with your departments insignia? Will I get laughed at? Should I only wear department gear when on duty?

I think what I will do, is buy what I want to buy and not tell anyone online who does not know me h34r: my department is sorta poor, and could not find me a decent flashlight so I bought my own - Am I a whacker because I got it from Galls? My department issued turn-out gear had someone elses name on the back/bottom... I ordered a new patch from Galls with my name on it... am I a whacker?

Tough crowd here. I LIKE IT!!

 

[medichopeful]

I get it... whacker... NOT a real EMT, on duty or responding under the authority of an EMS...

Close, but not completely true. You can be a whacker even if you are legitimately working as an EMT.

But, what about the guy who is a volly, and PROUD A HELL to be a part of a team of fire fighters and EMS? Is it bad to want to wear a jacket with your departments insignia? Will I get laughed at? Should I only wear department gear when on duty?

Only to a degree. Wanting to do something and actually doing it is completely different. If you just want to wear a jacket outside of work, no problem. If you actually do wear it outside of work, then you are entering into near-whackerdom.

I can see occasionally wearing a shirt from work outside of the job, as long as you don't really shove it in everyone's face. Let's say, for example, that you work for Boston FD. If, maybe once or twice a week, you wear a t-shirt that says "Boston FD" on it, I don't see a problem with that. If you start wearing it everyday, it's different.

I think what I will do, is buy what I want to buy and not tell anyone online who does not know me h34r: my department is sorta poor, and could not find me a decent flashlight so I bought my own - Am I a whacker because I got it from Galls? My department issued turn-out gear had someone elses name on the back/bottom... I ordered a new patch from Galls with my name on it... am I a whacker?

Didn't you JUST tell us you're not going to tell us what you buy?

I don't really see anything wrong with buying yourself a small piece of equipment if they don't provide you with something adequate. As far as ordering it from Galls goes, it does not automatically make you a whacker just because you ordered something from them. They are a good company for supplies, and I think anybody will agree with me. What makes you a whacker is the amount of stuff you order from them. A few things is not a huge deal, at least in my eyes (for example pants, boots, penlight, shears, etc.).

 

[mcdonl]

I feel straightened

Thanks Eric!

 

[Hal9000]

I recently went to a medical conference for EMS, and most of the people were volunteers with "EMS" and flaming stars of life all over their clothes. I dressed to be comfortable, but to each his own. I think that's a little bit whackerish.

Later on, some of these people made some terribly ignorant statements ("We always go code to the hospital on everything; it's the law.), which shows some whackerdom. Doing something stupid and dangerous and enjoying and defending it, instead of researching, being logical, and caring for the patient, is a sign of a whacker.

Some of the people actually had their pagers on, hundreds of miles from home. Those people are whackers. Some had shears belted to them. Those are whackers.

People not interested in being professional, calm, and logical may be often considered whackers. I have met EMTs who said that they had to use lights on every BLS IFT. I have met students who failed out of EMT class and still went and bought EMT stuff online from God knows where. Are those whackers?