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    EMT Practical fail questions. Massachusetts

    Its possible they failed you because you were doing poor compressions or not doing a good job of bagging the patient. I've seen a couple students in the ER get on compressions, and get kicked off fairly quickly because they weren't doing a good job. You gotta do it like you mean it, not just go...
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    How strong do you have to be to be an emt

    Core strength and lower body strength is much more important than upper body strength for this job, that's why many smaller women manage just fine as long as they are fit. Being able to bench press a lot is almost irrelevant. Dead squats are a little more relevant though, and women usually don't...
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    Need suggestions for recertifying EMT-B online for CA (+ National Reg)

    I've recertified with the NREMT by exam, but mine wasnt expired at the time, and I was affiliated with an agency at the time and had to have an I/O with my agency sign off on my practical skills. It was more involved than I thought it would be and went beyond simply retaking the computer exam...
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    Talking to your partner.

    I have absolutely NOTHING in common with my current partner, and its a challenge. Whether its age, background, music preferences, dress, etc, we are almost polar opposites. I'm a lot older than him, grew up on a farm in a remote area, left home at 17 and went right into the military, and have...
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    hi guys, I need help with a blood pressure location

    Medial aspect of the antecubital space generally, but it can vary somewhat. You can usually palpate a brachial pulse somewhere therebouts. Where you feel the pulse would be the best place to place the diaphragm. If this is a test question, it seems like an odd one. Usually the best way to...
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    Questions from a potential EMT

    5'9 is probably the perfect height for EMS. Not so short that you have a hard time loading the cot onto the ambulance, but not so tall that you have to stoop or worry about having a short partner that kills your back. Ultimately though you tend to see all body types and heights in EMS...
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    Why don't a lot of EMTs go on to paramedic school?

    Then you have those that are looking beyond EMS to allied health care professions that require degrees. Paramedic school might not have high academic requirements or standards, but it is time consuming and expensive, so it doesnt make much sense for EMTs who are studying to be RNs or PAs or RTs...
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    Skills Final

    The patient did have an altered LOC, but that could have been the case regardless of whether they were hypoxic. They didn't look well, but not flat out cyanotic. They did have nail polish on, spo2 was rechecked using the ear lobe and it was still low. I think part of the reluctance to do...
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    Skills Final

    I understand and even agree with these points. I also have seen patients brought into the ER with no oxygen on or a couple liters NC, and their spo2 is checked and its like low 80s or high 70s. It can make for an ugly scene when the Paramedic or EMT then has to explain why this is the case...
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    Skills Final

    It was explained to me by a medical director that the potentially harmful effects of giving o2, or too much o2 prehospital when its not really needed usually pale in comparison to the effects of even mild hypoxia, and a pre hospital environment is such that its not always possible to...
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    things you will never live down

    When I was in EMT school doing a ride along, we got a call and I jumped in the back of the ambulance not knowing where we were going or for what. While we were en route the call was cancelled, but I didn't hear that in the back. The crew decided to get something to eat since a fastfood joint was...
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    Skills Final

    Why is it a big no no? Where did you hear this? I understand o2 is not the answer to everything, but for testing purposes at the EMT level the rule of thumb is everyone gets o2. If you explain WHY you wouldnt give o2 you would probably be ok. But I dont think Ive heard of anyone failing...
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    Skills Final

    I would always give o2 for testing purposes, especially on a cardiac patient. I suppose if you knew the person testing yous thoughts on the matter you could hold off, but otherwise give them o2 for chest pain. As someone pointed out to me some basics cant check glucose, which is right, and some...
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    Skills Final

    Some common things I've seen. Memorize the skill sheets, which should have been obvious by now. Remember to address any problems that pop up with ABCs instantly. They tell you someone is bleeding then control it, someones airway is compromised, address it. Dont move on until you know the...
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    no time for standard school?

    Ill be real curious how the NREMT exam goes after a 3 week class.
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    Advice on dealing with a dumb partner

    Sounds to me like he has almost as much to be concerned about with having you as a partner. From what I see you're the one gossiping and whining about this guy, saying you are going to confront him and would like to beat the piss out of him, despite the fact I dont see any mention of...
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    Bad or Irritating EMS Memes

    I think you're actually more likely to be injured and lose time off of work doing EMS than you are firefighting, because in EMS you are continually lifting patients, sometimes in situations that make proper lifting mechanics difficult, so back injuries are a constant risk, and back injuries are...
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    How many clinical hours did you get while training for EMT?

    What field experience do you have, were you an MFR? Its usually the ER that people complain about, such as snotty nurses or whatever, but I found its not really an issue if you are in a decent sized ER, if you have a precepter or Nurse that ignores you, then find another Nurse or tech who...
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    Bad or Irritating EMS Memes

    I honestly never understood the appeal of firefighting and always kind of saw the obsessive devotion many hose monkeys had to the field as amusing rather than annoying. Police I understood, because you get to carry a gun, go on car chases, tackle and cuff people and order them around etc. But...
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    How many clinical hours did you get while training for EMT?

    We had to do 20 in the ER and 20 on an ALS ambulance. Most people did more because the school had objectives like taking 100 sets of vital signs, perform 10 patient assessments, backboard 3 patients, use a NRB, bag a patient, use a combi tube or king airway etc, and not getting those objectives...
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