private vehicles

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And let's all remember this: Just because someone has a different opinion than you, that doesn't make them wrong. It just means they have a different opinion.
 
really, these threads always go the same way... the paramedics out here promote this site as a place to exchange ideas and learn... well we all know that the education of emt-b's is not up to par... it's been said here a million times, and i agree with that...

but then when and emt asks a question, maybe is ignorant and wants to learn something, he is often greeted with the various forms of the following:
"you shouldn't be..."
"you don't..."
"why in the world would you.."
"i'm baffled that you would even..."
"if this doesn't prove how poor the emt-b curriculum is..."

not to mention all the comments about being "drivers", and the like...

so is it really a surprise that some emt's get a bit defensive, and the thread goes downhill...

i admit, i've been pulled into that mentality sometimes myself... but if a question is asked, an answer is wanted...

a discussion is wanted perhaps, but not about all the things you shouldn't be carrying, shouldn't be doing, don't know, etc etc...

granted, many people who post do not do this... but if you read enough, you will see that far too many do...

if you don't want the forum to be "paramedic only", maybe can we try to reserve all the judgements and judgemental comments?

those comments are not constructive, and usually turn the thread bad, and really that doesn't benefit anyone...
 
skyemt said:
first off, we are a volunteer agency, so there is no "off duty"...
secondly, in a somewhat rural area, it can be a little time before the rig gets there...
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I can relate. I am also in a very rural area. But, I've found that the more years I spend in EMS, the smaller my kit gets. We do carry glucose, its small, its light and doesn't take up much space. I've had a tube in my kit and have replaced it twice for outdating and haven't used one yet. As for C-collars. I had this same discussion with one of our volunteers who was advocating for us to carry at least one of each size 'just in case'. I finally told her that we do carry our very own c-collars with us every where we go. I wiggled my fingers at her and reached out and held c-spine on her. There.. instant c-collar!

While it would be wonderful to have absolutely every tool at my disposal on every call, I've found though that most of them don't get used.

Go to the volunteer who has been with your agency the longest and see how many old, never used items are in their kit.
 
medic001918 said:
Small towns are usually bordered by other small towns. Combining resources is a good way to justify call volume. County services tend to have a decent set up to model after. All the towns could receive care in a timely manner (including transport instead of waiting), and it could probably be provided for less expense since those expenses are shared.
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A good point. I made just that offer to three towns close to us. We have revenue to support a paid crew about half the day and have volunteers and paid on call the rest of the day. The other towns are in about the same position financially but are all volunteer. They all declined. Their replies all sounded like the problem was ego related, not in the logistics. Makes sense to me.
 
There are good points to be made on both sides , but the point is , that card you carry doesn't say you're only an emt or medic while on duty . We can and do come across emergencies when not working . Unless the laws have changed , we do have a duty to act , so if you're licensed to give care , why not carry some gear ? I don't mean a whole rig , but at least a basic jump kit . You don't have to be in a rural area to realize this . God put me and others in the right place and time to save a woman whose car rolled over her . The first responders and medics were very delayed due to traffic . If she hadn't gotten the basic care we gave in a timely manner , most likely she would've died . For those who say you're carrying o2 , how are you getting around the FDA ? We're not supposed to be carrying it off duty . I think this was a very poor decision by them and a mistake that has most likely cost lives . Early o2 therapy = better chance of survival . I used to carry it before this law was passed and it did help save lives .
 
certguy said:
There are good points to be made on both sides , but the point is , that card you carry doesn't say you're only an emt or medic while on duty . We can and do come across emergencies when not working . Unless the laws have changed , we do have a duty to act , so if you're licensed to give care , why not carry some gear ? I don't mean a whole rig , but at least a basic jump kit . You don't have to be in a rural area to realize this . God put me and others in the right place and time to save a woman whose car rolled over her . The first responders and medics were very delayed due to traffic . If she hadn't gotten the basic care we gave in a timely manner , most likely she would've died . For those who say you're carrying o2 , how are you getting around the FDA ? We're not supposed to be carrying it off duty . I think this was a very poor decision by them and a mistake that has most likely cost lives . Early o2 therapy = better chance of survival . I used to carry it before this law was passed and it did help save lives .
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Different laws govern different regions. My medical control only covers me as a paramedic while on duty. If I were to perform a paramedic intervention outside of the job, I'm operating without medical control. As far as duty to act, again that's location specific. When I'm not on duty in the state of Connecticut, I have no duty to act. My services haven't been requested and I haven't identified myself or been identified as a responder. My only "duty to act" is to notify the proper resources through a 911 call.

When I'm not on duty, I don't have the tools to do my job properly. I do have the ability to call the services with a good scene size up and leave the job to the people who are on duty, with the proper tools and resources.

Shane
NREMT-P
 
It's so important to know what the protocols and rules are for your agency! Can't be said enough! Anything said on here or other forums may be true for the poster, but illegal and a fire-able offense in other systems.
 
different policies for different regions is right! we only have shifts between 8pm and 6am... inbetween those times, we are all free to respond to calls, and will be "on duty" everytime we do such...

i also think that just because a piece of equipment doesn't get used a whole lot doesn't mean it shouldn't be carried in a jump kit... the one time you need it, you'll be thankful you have it...

if we stocked our rig based on items rarely used, it would be half empty!
 
certguy said:
There are good points to be made on both sides , but the point is , that card you carry doesn't say you're only an emt or medic while on duty . We can and do come across emergencies when not working . Unless the laws have changed , we do have a duty to act , so if you're licensed to give care , why not carry some gear ? I don't mean a whole rig , but at least a basic jump kit . You don't have to be in a rural area to realize this . God put me and others in the right place and time to save a woman whose car rolled over her . The first responders and medics were very delayed due to traffic . If she hadn't gotten the basic care we gave in a timely manner , most likely she would've died . For those who say you're carrying o2 , how are you getting around the FDA ? We're not supposed to be carrying it off duty . I think this was a very poor decision by them and a mistake that has most likely cost lives . Early o2 therapy = better chance of survival . I used to carry it before this law was passed and it did help save lives .
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Very few states impose off duty requirements to act in your official capacity. I've said it once and I'll say it again, if I am off duty, I chose if I stop and render aid. There are a lot of variables involved. Where am I at? How far out is the unit? What type of call is it? Do I have my wife and kids with me? I very rarely stop and until recently did not carry equipment. I now, upon the request of my employer with a financial incentive involved, carry a full ALS kit. I choose to respond when I am on my way to work and on my way home. I occasionally choose to respond if the call is of a severe nature, I am close by (I do not run with any of that whacker lights and siren crap), and I do not have any family with me. But the choice is mine.

I may be able to provide emergent interventions on some medical calls as an ALS responder, but I'm sorry, there is little that can be done at the BLS level on the scene of a trauma. So please enlighten me as to how you "saved" this woman. Trauma surgeons save lives, not EMT's......
 
Flight-LP said:
Trauma surgeons save lives, not EMT's......
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Well, not entirely true. I'm not up to speed on the specific incident you are arguing about, but I have been a part of several trauma saves. Just being able to get the person to a hospital lying on a gurney with O2, bleeding control, splinting and c-spine precautions ups the viability of the patient considerably from being chucked into a friends car and driven the 50 miles or so to the local hospital. Basics generally have access to ambulances and all the stuff in them. This by itself can make the difference between life and death for some.
 
Bossy, I think you have to look at the whole picture. BLS & ALS can help prevent further injuries and deterioration of the patient. Even now, it is debated that even BLS procedures such as C-spine is worthy. Since most injuries and occurrences actually occur during impact.

Trauma is defined medically as a surgical disease hence; yes it is only corrected by surgeons.

That is why trauma is a mute point in the ED as well as why no one is resuscitated from an traumatic arrest. The only true treatment in a true trauma patient is surgical intervention.

R/r 911
 
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