Cardiology III for a new EMT-B...Overkill??

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kr804573

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Hi everyone,
I’m just finishing my EMT-B training, I’m currently an EMR (also called an MRT or First Responder), and am going to begin riding with a service soon. I have a Sprague Rappaport-type stethoscope and absolutely hate it, the tubes clank together and the way it fits in your ears is uncomfortable. I can find a BP but sometimes it isn’t loud at all. Everyone I’ve talked to says to go for a Littmann so thats defiantly the path I want to take. While researching I looked at the lower end Steths, the don’t have the features I would like. The feature I’m looking for is two sided diaphragm(seeing as Littmann’s are tuneable theres no need for only a bell on one side). The Cardiology III seemed like the only one with this. What is your opinion.... is this over-kill A.k.a too good of a Steth for a newbie?
thanks
 
Littmann Cardio III is a great scope, but I do think it's overpowered for an EMT.

A few quick things to think about:

1. What are you going to be using it for? Do you really need a powerful steth for blood pressures and lung sounds? How soon do you think you're going to learn about heart tones, and just as important, what are you planning on doing with that information?

2. How often can you replace it? Some things, like scopes and shears, like to grow legs and walk.

3. What are the other options out there?

4. August is coming up, which means medical schools are starting back up. Are there any medical schools near you where you can go to their vendor fair and see what other options are available as well as get a chance to play around with the current product lines?
 
JPINFV,
Thanks for the input! Like I said what I have now just isn’t cutting it for me. My instructor bought in many scopes, the Cardiology III amoung them, and I just took to it very quickly which is why I’m thinking about buying one. If not this scope which would you suggest?
 
Cadio III is pretty overkill for a new EMT.

I like the Littmann Master Classic II myself. I have used it for years. Had to replace it once after it walked (note to self, never leave scope in the ambulance over night, despite that it had my name on it).

If you want a newbie scope, go on ebay, you can find some decent knock off scopes for maybe half or a third of the price. Plus learning the proper assessment techniques is better than getting better tools to compensate for poor skills

get a cheapy to start, after you have been doing this for a year or two, than upgrade to the expensive scope.

Just my $0.02
 
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I’ve had this cheap scope for a few months because everyone said to start cheap, which I agree with, but we’ve done all the skills and nows the time to upgrade even just a little. As far as Littmann’s go how is the Classic II S.E.? ' the only other one I’m interested in even though it doesn't have 2 diaphragms.
 
kr804573 said:
I’ve had this cheap scope for a few months because everyone said to start cheap, which I agree with, but we’ve done all the skills and nows the time to upgrade even just a little. As far as Littmann’s go how is the Classic II S.E.? ' the only other one I’m interested in even though it doesn't have 2 diaphragms.
Click to expand...

I loved my Classic II SE before it walked off. I had the Tacticool Black edition
 
kr804573 said:
I’ve had this cheap scope for a few months because everyone said to start cheap, which I agree with, but we’ve done all the skills and nows the time to upgrade even just a little. As far as Littmann’s go how is the Classic II S.E.? ' the only other one I’m interested in even though it doesn't have 2 diaphragms.
Click to expand...

I love mine. Never had a problem- and I purposefully bought it in a raspberry color so none of the boys would feel a huge itch'n to borrow it. I'm currently looking into getting a second and third pair for myself right now- a second cheaper pair for my car kit and a third good set for 'medic school. I'm pretty much set on getting an ADC for my car- They're often compared to the Littmanns and right now I can get one on allheart for under $20 that's about the same as my current one. My third, I'm looking into getting the Littmann Master Classic. A lot of people in a lot of threads on this site swear by that model, and I can get it in the stealth black ^_^

Hope I helped.
 
exodus said:
I loved my Classic II SE before it walked off. I had the Tacticool Black edition
Click to expand...

Did you ever actually use the bell side? I just feel like its useless, I know it’s used for lower tones but if the diaphragm is tunable then what’s the point?
 
sirengirl said:
I love mine. Never had a problem- and I purposefully bought it in a raspberry color so none of the boys would feel a huge itch'n to borrow it. I'm currently looking into getting a second and third pair for myself right now- a second cheaper pair for my car kit and a third good set for 'medic school. I'm pretty much set on getting an ADC for my car- They're often compared to the Littmanns and right now I can get one on allheart for under $20 that's about the same as my current one. My third, I'm looking into getting the Littmann Master Classic. A lot of people in a lot of threads on this site swear by that model, and I can get it in the stealth black ^_^

Hope I helped.
Click to expand...

Defiantly a big help! Good idea with the color as well, I might have to take that idea from you !
 
kr804573 said:
Defiantly a big help! Good idea with the color as well, I might have to take that idea from you !
Click to expand...

I actually had a week long debate with myself over what color to get- the raspberry pink/purple or the greenish teal color. My favorite color is a nice sea green teal, but I figured that would appeal to the guys too much so I went with the pink. I already know I'mma have to watch my stealth black one like a friggin' hawk....

But yea like I said, these are pretty comparable to Littmanns. Obviously I encourage getting something better if you want to but as far as price goes, you can't beat near-Littmann quality for $20. Hopefully I can get the Master Classic under $100, that's my current goal...
 
sirengirl said:
I actually had a week long debate with myself over what color to get- the raspberry pink/purple or the greenish teal color. My favorite color is a nice sea green teal, but I figured that would appeal to the guys too much so I went with the pink. I already know I'mma have to watch my stealth black one like a friggin' hawk....

But yea like I said, these are pretty comparable to Littmanns. Obviously I encourage getting something better if you want to but as far as price goes, you can't beat near-Littmann quality for $20. Hopefully I can get the Master Classic under $100, that's my current goal...
Click to expand...


I’ve been looking every where to get them cheap, Ebay has lots of them New and used, you could also try craigslist but those are usually used ^_^
 
kr804573 said:
I’ve been looking every where to get them cheap, Ebay has lots of them New and used, you could also try craigslist but those are usually used ^_^
Click to expand...

I'm actually pretty mad at myself, I found one on amazon that was being sold by a guy who said he'd used it less than 5 times before quitting the class, and he was selling it dirt cheap at like $65, when I went back to get it, it was gone. FML moment... There's one on e-bay I'm looking at, same case but a bit more.... We'll see how that goes cause the auction ends today.

So are you perhaps changing your mind on which one you want? I found a nice infographic once, a chart comparing all the different current Littmanns against each other...

Here it is! http://www.allheart.com/littmann-stethoscope-comparison.html
 
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sirengirl said:
I'm actually pretty mad at myself, I found one on amazon that was being sold by a guy who said he'd used it less than 5 times before quitting the class, and he was selling it dirt cheap at like $65, when I went back to get it, it was gone. FML moment... There's one on e-bay I'm looking at, same case but a bit more.... We'll see how that goes cause the auction ends today.

So are you perhaps changing your mind on which one you want? I found a nice infographic once, a chart comparing all the different current Littmanns against each other...
Click to expand...


I have changed my mind, I don’t want to show up with a Cardiology III and look like an idiot! Anyway it doesn’t seem like its really needed, sounds like any good Littmann will do, such as the Classic II SE. My birthday is coming up so I’m going to see if I can get away with getting it as a present from my parents, for my 16th, rather than having to pay for it.

I throughly enjoyed the chart though , puts it all in perspective!
 
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kr804573 said:
Did you ever actually use the bell side? I just feel like its useless, I know it’s used for lower tones but if the diaphragm is tunable then what’s the point?
Click to expand...

Oops. I meant MASTERS classic II SE.. only one sided.
 
kr804573 said:
I have changed my mind, I don’t want to show up with a Cardiology III and look like an idiot! Anyway it doesn’t seem like its really needed, sounds like any good Littmann will do, such as the Classic II SE. My birthday is coming up so I’m going to see if I can get away with getting it as a present from my parents, for my 16th, rather than having to pay for it
Click to expand...

I added the link to my previous post for you. As I said, I love my Classic S.E. II, I'm only upgrading because I'm starting 'medic in 4 weeks and want something good for heart sounds. After all, there was that time the military told me that I'm deaf, so...

And, the heck?! You're only 15? Wow, where in the world did you get to go through EMT-B at that young an age? Here in FL you gotta be 18 by the time you do your clinicals. Liability issues, I'm sure. Well geeze, kudos to you if that's the case. I'm young at 21 and I still kick myself over not doing it all 3 years ago when I could have gotten it paid for by my highschool.... Happy early b-day btw.

Also: Let people know if they do decide to get it for you, medisave.net will be the cheapest place to find them. That or by some grace of god on amazon/ebay/craigslist, but good luck finding the color you want there...
 
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sirengirl said:
I added the link to my previous post for you. As I said, I love my Classic S.E. II, I'm only upgrading because I'm starting 'medic in 4 weeks and want something good for heart sounds. After all, there was that time the military told me that I'm deaf, so...

And, the heck?! You're only 15? Wow, where in the world did you get to go through EMT-B at that young an age? Here in FL you gotta be 18 by the time you do your clinicals. Liability issues, I'm sure. Well geeze, kudos to you if that's the case. I'm young at 21 and I still kick myself over not doing it all 3 years ago when I could have gotten it paid for by my highschool.... Happy early b-day btw.

Also: Let people know if they do decide to get it for you, medisave.net will be the cheapest place to find them. That or by some grace of god on amazon/ebay/craigslist, but good luck finding the color you want there...
Click to expand...

In CT you only have to be 16 by the time the class ends to get an EMT-B, my class ends at the end of August and my Birthday is August 2nd so Im all set! we dont have many young EMT’s in my area but suddenly it’s picked up. I wish my high school paid but i paid for it with money i had saved and started taking the classes at night during the school year, along with sports, it was challenging but now im almost done! The birthday think is going to be used as leverage for a new scope lol
 
kr804573 said:
In CT you only have to be 16 by the time the class ends to get an EMT-B, my class ends at the end of August and my Birthday is August 2nd so Im all set! we dont have many young EMT’s in my area but suddenly it’s picked up. I wish my high school paid but i paid for it with money i had saved and started taking the classes at night during the school year, along with sports, it was challenging but now im almost done! The birthday think is going to be used as leverage for a new scope lol
Click to expand...

Wow that's awesome. And yea, the highschools around here have dual-enrollment programs, so if you want to do tech school or community college at night, you don't have to pay for the classes, and I don't think the books, either. Why I didn't do it, I'll never know...
 
kr804573 said:
Did you ever actually use the bell side? I just feel like its useless, I know it’s used for lower tones but if the diaphragm is tunable then what’s the point?
Click to expand...

The bell is best to use for low pitched sounds... like korotkoff sounds.
 
sirengirl said:
And, the heck?! You're only 15? Wow, where in the world did you get to go through EMT-B at that young an age? Here in FL you gotta be 18 by the time you do your clinicals.
Click to expand...

It depends on the state. In California you can take the class before you're 18, but you won't be certified until you're 18 (which is useful for high school seniors taking it through their high school).
 
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