Running with fire dpt

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liang

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Hey everyone, brand new emt who just joined a volunteer fire dpt (as emt only). I know that most of their volunteers have a little bit of experience with ems calls, but I've never answered one before. We received one call yesterday which was cancelled, but the paramedic was questioning me on my skills and brought up things that weren't even mentioned in class. I schooled myself today on how to set up an IV for them, but I also heard talk of a cardiac monitor and pulse oximeter. Is there anything else I should be researching right now? I know I'll gain the bulk of my knowledge on calls, but I don't want to show up to calls completely clueless until then.

Any other advice?
 
Our medics have us set up their 12 lead and 4 lead so I would look up placements.

We always spike the bag and get the line ready. Make sure the air bubbles are out. I will usually tear 3 pieces of tape and have them ready once they got the IV.

Know where all the bandaging stuff is. Set up the glucometer. And get that ready.

They will show you, but a little before knowledge wouldn't hurt.
 
I've taught a few people who were interested how to set up the IV and leads and capnography etc.

In my department people dont often care... I love when someone does and will do everything in my power to help them learn and assist any way they can.

In volunteer departments around here the usual attitude is "its above my level, not my problem."
 
liang said:
Hey everyone, brand new emt who just joined a volunteer fire dpt (as emt only). I know that most of their volunteers have a little bit of experience with ems calls, but I've never answered one before. We received one call yesterday which was cancelled, but the paramedic was questioning me on my skills and brought up things that weren't even mentioned in class. I schooled myself today on how to set up an IV for them, but I also heard talk of a cardiac monitor and pulse oximeter. Is there anything else I should be researching right now? I know I'll gain the bulk of my knowledge on calls, but I don't want to show up to calls completely clueless until then.

Any other advice?
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Show up to their station, in uniform preferably in a marked vehicle, and introduce yourself as a new EMT who wants to familiarize yourself with their truck so that you're, "not just another person with good hair on scene" (humor helps).

I would be receptive to this if somebody showed up to our station.
 
liang said:
Hey everyone, brand new emt who just joined a volunteer fire dpt (as emt only). I know that most of their volunteers have a little bit of experience with ems calls, but I've never answered one before. We received one call yesterday which was cancelled, but the paramedic was questioning me on my skills and brought up things that weren't even mentioned in class. I schooled myself today on how to set up an IV for them, but I also heard talk of a cardiac monitor and pulse oximeter. Is there anything else I should be researching right now? I know I'll gain the bulk of my knowledge on calls, but I don't want to show up to calls completely clueless until then.

Any other advice?
Click to expand...

There's no shame in not knowing how to do something when you've never been exposed to it. I'd just tell the medic you're new and haven't used their equipment yet and have him show you what to do BEFORE you get a call. Pulse ox just goes on their finger. Look up 3 lead ECG placement for cardiac monitor setup. They generally go on the arms and legs but some medics like them on the shoulders / abdomen... Might want to ask him what he prefers.
 
Sublime said:
There's no shame in not knowing how to do something when you've never been exposed to it. I'd just tell the medic you're new and haven't used their equipment yet and have him show you what to do BEFORE you get a call. Pulse ox just goes on their finger. Look up 3 lead ECG placement for cardiac monitor setup. They generally go on the arms and legs but some medics like them on the shoulders / abdomen... Might want to ask him what he prefers.
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This.

Whenever you are working with someone that you don't know (who you are junior to especially), ask what they expect of you on a call. If you don't think you can meet them, ask them to show you ahead of time.
 
I agree with the 12 lead set up, learn to do that fast and effectively to save your paramedic the time while he is starting the IV etc.when your out there just jump in the situation get your hands dirty, you'll screw up but that's part of the job experience. It'll become second nature to you. Believe it or not as an emt you got it easy you won't have to worry about much. You'll see with some experience.
 
agree with everyone else: go over things before the call goes out.

-if someone asks you to do something on scene that you arent sure how to do tell them you dont know how, then AFTER the call and paperwork is done, ask them to show you so you can do it next time.
 
Like everyone said, ask questions.

3/4 leads are easy. "White on right, smoke over fire, clouds over grass."

Find out if the monitor they're using is setup for limb leads or to be on the torso.
 
The "Assistant to Ambulance" module for the First Responders teaches

- Pulse oximetery
- How to prepare an IV bag and equipment for cannulation
- How to set up a nebuliser (adrenaline, ipratropium, salbutamol etc)
- 12 lead ECG acquisition (rhythm strips are so 1970s!)
- Drawing up 0.9% sodium chloride flushes
 
Clare said:
The "Assistant to Ambulance" module for the First Responders teaches

- Pulse oximetery
- How to prepare an IV bag and equipment for cannulation
- How to set up a nebuliser (adrenaline, ipratropium, salbutamol etc)
- 12 lead ECG acquisition (rhythm strips are so 1970s!)
- Drawing up 0.9% sodium chloride flushes
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That'd be cool if it happened in the states but none of that comes up in American EMS education until the EMT-I/AEMT level. Only so much you can cover in 120 hours....

Not exactly sure what you're trying to say with this post? Unless you want him to fly to NZ to go through your First Responder course there? ...
 
NVRob said:
That'd be cool if it happened in the states but none of that comes up in American EMS education until the EMT-I/AEMT level. Only so much you can cover in 120 hours....

Not exactly sure what you're trying to say with this post? Unless you want him to fly to NZ to go through your First Responder course there? ...
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All of that is part of the standard Colorado basic curriculum.
 
Tigger said:
All of that is part of the standard Colorado basic curriculum.
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If that is the case I think it is probably safe to assume that the OP didn't go through his EMT course in Colorado.
 
Aidey said:
If that is the case I think it is probably safe to assume that the OP didn't go through his EMT course in Colorado.
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Obviously not, just pointing out that not everyone ends up learning these things in an Intermediate/Advanced class like Rob said.
 
We touched on it in my class last year. Set up a 12 lead on a partner.
That was it, No further training, no tests on it.

As far as spiking a bag...it was covered, but never practiced. I always ask my medic if he/she wants me to spike one while they are prepping the pt for an IV.
Learn by asking, remember by doing.
 
NVRob said:
That'd be cool if it happened in the states but none of that comes up in American EMS education until the EMT-I/AEMT level. Only so much you can cover in 120 hours....
Click to expand...

The scheduled time frame for teaching the "Assistant to Ambulance" module is 16 hours but it includes a lot of other things like how to operate the stretchers, change bulk oxygen, when and how to call for clinical advice, prepare for a helicopter, lots of other things.

I could probably teach ECG acquisition, SpO2, setting up an IV etc in about 6-8 hours?
 
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