Lets design a true identfying clothing style for EMS

SAR teams like to run around in red jackets. Red its a nice bright medical color. Let's do red and white. Neither cops nor FFs do red.

1325043439_d5b9ff0c27.jpg

;)
 
Summit said:
SAR teams like to run around in red jackets. Red its a nice bright medical color. Let's do red and white. Neither cops nor FFs do red.

1325043439_d5b9ff0c27.jpg

;)
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Ummmmm, correct me if I am wrong, but aren't they dressed in blue??

Doesn't the fact that I have a cot, cardiac monitor, O2, etc with me make it apparent which vehicle I have jumped off of?
 
Meh... EMS wears red here in the summer, and it is the ugliest thing ever. Red doesn't go well with dark colors like navy or black. It'd look decent over khaki pants, but nobody wants the problems that come with light colored pants in the field. And yes, I have seen quite a few fire departments wearing red. Regardless, color is not a particularly important detail, so long as it does not resemble public safety.

Along those lines, I hear people say, "well our cops wear tan, so it's okay for us to wear navy blue". Well, you know the diffence, but the general public does not. You are still going to be mistaken for a cop or fireman, mo matter that they don't wear that color locally.

Not looking like cops or firemen is the easiest part of the equation. Just don't shop at Gall's! Yet, this seems like the hardest part for people to get past. Think outside of the box! Don't just think of a public safety uniform in a different color from the cops and firemen. Think of a completely different look altogether!

Now, choosing something that says "medical" is the hard part. I am one of the rare fans of scrub suits. And I have yet to hear someone bashing them who has actually worn them in field EMS to know what they are talking about, so their criticism is worthless. But I do think that we can come up with something more practical than scrubs too. It may not scream "medical", but, as mentioned, our equipment and demeanor can speak for itself. Without badges, gaudy patches, Bat belts, and Flying Cross shirts, nobody is going to mistake us for "public safety", even if we are not immediately recognizable as medical. I believe that is the more important issue than looking "medical", which is a difficult proposition. Of course, if we can accomplish both, that's a bonus.
 
medic417 said:
Thats why I posed the question so we could try and design a style. That style could be adapted for cold or hot climates, for city slickers and for us that have to climb mountains covered in cactus. Think about the scrubs in hospitals. There are several variations based on type of work being done but still obvious they are scrubs.

As to afford we all need new clothes at times so next time buy the uniform.

As to FF's if they are in the ambulance they need to look as a Medical Professional as at that time medicine is their focus not fighting fire.

We need to have something that says Medical Professional w/o words. Think about commercials on TV they have someone in scrubs and we think nurse, or someone in a white coat and we think doctor even when they do no tell us that they are. While I think education is our biggest problem this is a side point that could also benefit us.
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Not necessairly. Here, everyone wears scrubs and labcoats. Nurses, doctors, Xray techs, PCTs, CNAs, RRTs, ER techs, phelbotomists, PAs, physical therapists, even the house keepers wear scrubs. So automatically thinking "doctor" or "Nurse" because you see scrubs and a labcoat is often wrong.

Good luck... I'm still partial to the 1950's nurse uniform with pillbox hat :p
 
I have a cot, cardiac monitor, O2, etc with me make it apparent which vehicle I have jumped off of?
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You'd think that, or the fact you jumped out of the ambulance, OR the fact you're the one with a needle or ETT in your hand would make it apparent!
 
Epi-do said:
Doesn't the fact that I have a cot, cardiac monitor, O2, etc with me make it apparent which vehicle I have jumped off of?
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You are seriously overestimating the general public. And what makes you think they watched you drive up? They usually do not.

A couple years after high school, I was in the back of my truck at the ER, cleaning up after a run. A girl I went to high school happened to be there and recognized me. She walked up and started a conversation. After a few minutes, she asked me, "So, how long have you been a security guard here?"

Do not overestimate the observational powers of the general public. ;)
 
But we want to be obvious when we are not seen with our ambulance or tools.
 
medic417 said:
But we want to be obvious when we are not seen with our ambulance or tools.
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When do you go see a patient without an ambulance or a tool? Even a steth around your neck screams "EMT/Paramedic!" Are you looking to be recognized just standing in the Burger King waiting to order? Why?
 
As part of public education it would be nice to have a uniform that seperated us. Again despite the nurses, floor cleaners, etc all wearing scrubs and lab coats the public still thinks nurse or doctor. As is we have no identity beyond ambulance driver. Of course based on many comments it seems that is all many aspire to be.
 
So, if the nurses, docs, housekeepers and techs all wear scrubs and don't care about differentiating..... how does it help us to do so??

Most uniforms are a matter of form following function. Scrubs were not introduced to identify healthcare worker but for infection control. I am identified as a member of my agency. I think that's sufficient.
 
BossyCow said:
So, if the nurses, docs, housekeepers and techs all wear scrubs and don't care about differentiating..... how does it help us to do so??
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I think you missed medic417s point. All those people are still seen by the public as healthcare workers, regardless of their specific position. Whether they can tell who each other are is a completely different matter. In this discussion, we are trying to set ourselves apart from the other personnel that people encounter in an emergency. We are not trying to identify ourselves to each other, which is a much lesser concern.

Again, what seems obvious to us is not necessarily obvious to the general public. It is the general public that we serve, not each other.
 
Epi-do said:
Ummmmm, correct me if I am wrong, but aren't they dressed in blue??
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That was the Flight Medic uniform from the SciFi show Firefly... takes place in the future.
 
Summit said:
That was the Flight Medic uniform from the SciFi show Firefly... takes place in the future.
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A firefly fan! I could kiss you!
 
:rolleyes: Wow! That explains the color blindness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I was thinking something like scrubs but thicker and durable with a white coat with cold gear lining for winter with the agency name and star of life on the back.
 
Ridryder911 said:
I agree the back wording has at least removed the doubt of whom we are... At least in the paper, they no longer can acclaim the heroes were the fire department as it used to.

R/r 911
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[/thread]

:beerchug:
 
emtcostume.jpg


Im leaning in this direction.:wub:
 
Only if they bring back mouth to mouth!!!!!
 
CAOX3 said:
emtcostume.jpg


Im leaning in this direction.:wub:
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Well considering we are the most unprofessional profession out there that would be an improvement.
 
medic417 said:
Well considering we are the most unprofessional profession out there that would be an improvement.
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Considering the model in the picture made more for that photo shoot than most medics make in a month, I think you have hit on a key point.
 
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