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  1. Outbac1

    Dynamic Ambulance Deployment

    In Nova Scotia all units have a home base to start and end shifts at. As calls come in, in any particular area other available units will be moved around for coverage. Almost all movements are to another base or a halfway post. All bases have crew quarters, chairs, couches, kitchens...
  2. Outbac1

    Three things that I dislike to do as a Paramedic

    I greatly dislike being wrong. I hate making mistakes. ( I am human, it happens. I don't have to like it, I have to accept it.) Paperwork Working with incompetent people. I don't mind new and inexperienced, we were all new once. But people who can't get their act together drive me nuts.
  3. Outbac1

    Thermometers

    We have a Welch Allyn. Braun 4000 thermoscan tympanic thermometer. It has both names on it. It seems to be reasonably accurate. We have no protocol that has a specific temp in it. I consider the temps provided to be an approximation. + or - 2f (1c) doesn't really mean a lot diagnosticly.
  4. Outbac1

    Nova Scotia info

    The ambulances here are run by a company called EMC Inc. Under a sole source contract with the NS Dept of Health (EHS). EMC will not allow a ride along unless you are accepted by a paramedic program, or are a first responder (MFR) or an allied health worker (nurse etc). The best thing is to...
  5. Outbac1

    Nova Scotia info

    The ambulances here are run by a company called EMC Inc. Under a sole source contract with the NS Dept of Health (EHS). EMC will not allow a ride along unless you are accepted by a paramedic program, or are a first responder (MFR)n or an allied health worker (nurse). The best thing is to...
  6. Outbac1

    Nova Scotia info

    Both Medavie and Holland College have Paramedic programs. Medavie has one in Dartmouth which is within commuting distance to you. Their websites will tell you their requirements. Not all courses start in Sept. So apply early. New medics start as casuals at about $21.00/hr. Casuals that...
  7. Outbac1

    Nova Scotia info

    I live and work in Nova Scotia as an Advanced Care Paramedic. Where are you from? Are you already a medic? Here are some websites for you to browse thru. http://www.emci.ca/Pages/home.aspx http://www.hollandcollege.com/programs/primary-care-paramedicine/...
  8. Outbac1

    Versed IN verses IM

    I've only used it once IN on a combative pt. 5mg IN with an atomizer. It took the better part of 5 min to work and the pt was out. But only for about 5-7 min. Then they woke up and became just as combative. It was taking 4 cops to hold him down. I don't know if IM would have been more...
  9. Outbac1

    BLS Skills -- What Should We Add?

    In the words of George Carlin. “Put two things together which have never been put together before, and some schmuck will buy it.” :rolleyes:
  10. Outbac1

    Some scoffed at me when

    See, you shouldn't have cleaned it. What do you think gave the coffee its flavor. I am yet to have a cup of coffee from one of those new machines that I like. McDonalds makes better coffee.
  11. Outbac1

    What made you actually chose to become a paramedic?

    I spent 25 years in family businesses, (mostly automotive). As things and life changed I began to look for something else. I was always somewhat interested in medicine and new paramedicine here was changing. So I applied to some schools and got into one. I started in PCP school just after my...
  12. Outbac1

    BLS Skills -- What Should We Add?

    Then you really wouldn't like it here. 7-8 hrs a day 5 days a week for months on end. After school studying for hours each night to absorb the information. Here we call it work. That nasty 4 letter word. You get out of it what you put into it. Here people go to school to be a paramedic. To...
  13. Outbac1

    Toughbooks?

    We have them here. They do appear to be reasonably tough. I know a regular laptop wouldn't take the abuse these get. They usually work OK but sometimes they are so slow it"s like watching paint dry. They have connectivity issues as well. They really don't like to be in a bldg. We use them for...
  14. Outbac1

    Post your state EMT patch

    All paramedics, PCP, ICP, ACP, wear the same,
  15. Outbac1

    the 100% directionless thread

    Well no more calls. Got home. The streets are not plowed but not drifted in too bad. In 2 hrs it will be 24hrs since a plow went by the house. Tee shirts in 50F? But of course. You see people wearing shorts here at 40F and below. I do 90% of my calls in winter without my coat, just a short...
  16. Outbac1

    the 100% directionless thread

    Gotta love it. Snowing, blowing, white outs,streets not plowed, driveways full of snow. I keep telling myself "I love working in winter". 5 calls tonight so far. A shoulder pain x 1 week, DOA, SOB pneumonia, Local transfer, OD chlorthalidone. C'mon 6 o'clock. Then 4 days off.
  17. Outbac1

    the 100% directionless thread

    Blizzard today. Already 20cm (8in) down and high winds gusting 80 - 100 kph (50-60mph). Should make going to work tonight fun. Another 15 - 20cm expected. Oh well could always be worse. I could be in Boston.
  18. Outbac1

    Do you have a cardiac monitor on a BLS rig?

    Sorry for the delay in replying I've been working or away. Our PCPs will interpret sinus rhythms, a-fib, v-fib, v-tach, and look for ST elevations on 12 leads. Most do rely more on the monitors interpretation than their own. And lets face it most of the time the monitor is right. They will...
  19. Outbac1

    Demand pacing

    I can't see myself pacing this guy right away with what you've said. He is stable, for now at least. An IV and have my meds handy as well as the pacer pads and transport.
  20. Outbac1

    Do you have a cardiac monitor on a BLS rig?

    All ambulances in our system have LP12 monitors. In fact all units have the exact same equipment and meds on board. Our PCPs do 12leads and basic interpratation. They can then use that to call for ALS backup or if no ALS prenotify the hospital. The only differences in equipment carried are...
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