The whole acting off duty topic.

[MrBrown]

We had a discussion about this a few years ago here. Officers were putting stickers and bits of tape over thier family name on name plates and the Service said it looked unprofessional.

Nobody when asked could specify a time when they had anything untoward happen because the patient or family knew thier first and last name.

The NZ Health and Disability Code states you must supply (upon request) your first and family name and title (eg Paramedic, Intensive Care Paramedic) to those you are treating or thier family.

Since 2008 the service has given people the option to only have thier first name primted on name plates but I have my full name on mine however my new one will only have my first name.

 

[firecoins]

you must be a mind reader.......?

Oddly I read palms and Tarot cards. Good enough?

 

[adamjh3]

I don't advocate being the ricky rescue type. (read whacker)


But I would like to point out I have been stalked by former patients and know a handful people personally who had relatives/friends of patients show up at their house to make known that they didn't think EMS did enough. One was even attacked as he was getting into his car.

Most ED staff in places I have been will cover their last names on the name badges because disgruntled patients have been known to open up the white pages from time to time.

Which is where my "I think everyone should (carry)" comes in.

A gun is something more or less associated with LE, an AED is something more or less associated with EMS. By no means are either exclusive to each profession, but a fair comparision.

I was not stating there is no chance that a disgruntled patient will follow you home, more that a disgruntled patient will not follow you home and put you in a position where you'll have to use your AED on them.

 

[Aidey]

We had a discussion about this a few years ago here. Officers were putting stickers and bits of tape over thier family name on name plates and the Service said it looked unprofessional.

Nobody when asked could specify a time when they had anything untoward happen because the patient or family knew thier first and last name.

I've seen people do that to their hospital IDs, and on hospital discharge papers the nurses are identified by their initials only. So at the bottom it says "Your care was provided today by Dr. Smith, ABC, and DEF". I have heard from nurses at a couple of the hospitals that they have had to have security escort them to their cars due to threats and called police for other on campus issues. I haven't heard of anyone being followed to their home, but I wouldn't be shocked either.

Most of my co-workers cover up their full names. Our supervisors are ok with it, but instead of tape they will print you off a label from the label maker. You can tell it is a label, but it doesn't look unprofessional.

 

[medicRob]

Oddly I read palms and Tarot cards. Good enough?

Celtic cross spread, 12 lead... MI can be diagnosed many ways.

 

[MrBrown]

Maybe we are safer down here who knows. Having said that two people have been murdered at emergency departments here, like drive by type thing one dude was in his seventies man he must have rubbed somebody the wrong way!

 

[medicRob]

Well, as some of you know from my posts in the health/fitness thread I hold a black belt first degree in Chinese Kenpo, and like to think of myself as able to handle myself. However, as a safe-guard I carry on me an expandable baton in a special holster that I can hide away. My supervisors are completely aware of it, and have no problem with it so long as it is not visible to patients.


TCA 39-17-1308. Defenses to unlawful possession or carrying of a weapon.

(8) By a person possessing a club/baton who holds a valid state security officer/guard registration card as a private security officer/guard, issued by the commissioner, and who also has certification that such officer has had training in the use of club/baton which is valid and issued by a person certified to give training in the use of clubs/batons;

The concealment was the only issue I faced. Therefore, I brought it before the appropriate managers and campus police and they said they have no problem with it so long as it is never used in the hospital itself, which is fine by me as the reason I have it is mainly for the parking garage, etc.

However, batons do not protect against guns. I try to be kind to every patient I encounter, and I have had some bad situations but never anything leading up to direct physical violence, thank God.

 

[Chimpie]

Let's try to keep this on topic please.

 

[emt seeking first job]

just to clarify

I would have the mask to use when I am not alone, when people who know me would expect me to take action, and to use on aquaintances, friends and family.

The AED was just a thought as I often thought what of my father's heart stopped beating, I was there, where he lives EMS in at least a 30 minute wait...

I would not just whip it out for anyone. However, as I said, I am always notifying 911. In the NYC area, the response is generally around 5 minutes.

Wehn I walk to my vollie, I wear a plain shirt, then put the uniform shirt on once at the station.

I was discussing off duty response with the President. He always stops, identifies himself as EMS, and starts doing what he can until ems responds, and he is by no means a wacker.

In this conversation, neither of us faulted or debated our positions.

 

[emt seeking first job]

although it was off-topic, the whole stalking thing :

It is unlikely yet always a possibility.

To most people it will never be an issue, but you cant say why hide your name since it has not happened YET.......

That is like saying, you can leave your door unlocked, chances are nobody will try it, people do not go through my building trying doors.

Yet they could.

It is a sticky issue, no easy answers.

We live in a challenging era. No more Norman Rockwell.

 

[Roger]

No more Norman Rockwell.

Can anyone imagine what Norman Rockwell would be painting today?
For some reason the author Stephen King comes to mind...sorry, off topic.

I am an EMT-Basic but not employed yet. With no real experience I would not
intervene in any emergency unless there were no other choices open.
I passed a MVA while working in western Mass. The MOI was severe but it
looked like all passengers were sitting up and the police were there. No
ambulance. I considered stopping but quickly slapped myself (mentally) and said
what the hell do I know and moved on. But, I still wonder if I did the right thing. :unsure:

 

[MizRizQuick]

I hate to even admit this because I've been in the medical field 17 years and an EMT for 10 of those...but...

I would NEVER put my mouth on another human being (with a few exceptions) to give CPR without some sort of shield. The exceptions are my IMMEDIATE family and babies. I could say I wouldn't even give CPR to a baby unprotected, but that'd probably be a lie.

I've played this in my head so many times because I don't carry a pocket face mask...and wondered what I would do in case I needed to give CPR. I can tell you, I'd be looking for ANYthing that would provide a safe barrier between Snaggletooth McGee and me. Ziploc bag, WalMart bag, my own shirt, a sock monkey...ANYthing. I shudder to think what some people have in/on their mouths. Yick.

It's hard to think when you're in a code situation, but I've never had a problem keeping my safety first.

I know this makes me sound horrible...but seriously, if I'm sick, how can I take care of other sick people?

 

[emt seeking first job]

Can anyone imagine what Norman Rockwell would be painting today?
For some reason the author Stephen King comes to mind...sorry, off topic.

I am an EMT-Basic but not employed yet. With no real experience I would not
intervene in any emergency unless there were no other choices open.
I passed a MVA while working in western Mass. The MOI was severe but it
looked like all passengers were sitting up and the police were there. No
ambulance. I considered stopping but quickly slapped myself (mentally) and said
what the hell do I know and moved on. But, I still wonder if I did the right thing. :unsure:

If the police were already there, you did the right thing.

If they were not there, the right thing would be to call 911.

My scenario is I am at , lets say a church function, and someone stops breathing, and everyone points at me, knowing i completed the EMT class, expecting some CPR....so I am forced to carry the mask with me.

 

[emt seeking first job]

I hate to even admit this because I've been in the medical field 17 years and an EMT for 10 of those...but...

I would NEVER put my mouth on another human being (with a few exceptions) to give CPR without some sort of shield. The exceptions are my IMMEDIATE family and babies. I could say I wouldn't even give CPR to a baby unprotected, but that'd probably be a lie.

I've played this in my head so many times because I don't carry a pocket face mask...and wondered what I would do in case I needed to give CPR. I can tell you, I'd be looking for ANYthing that would provide a safe barrier between Snaggletooth McGee and me. Ziploc bag, WalMart bag, my own shirt, a sock monkey...ANYthing. I shudder to think what some people have in/on their mouths. Yick.

It's hard to think when you're in a code situation, but I've never had a problem keeping my safety first.

I know this makes me sound horrible...but seriously, if I'm sick, how can I take care of other sick people?

I am admitting this here as I am on this forum anonymously.

I just dont want to put my mouth on someone unless they are someone I am already kissing. Hence, I am burdened to carry the pocket mask with me. It came with the class, I could get one of those flat ones, but I think the pocket mask in the case is more effective (better seal) to ventilate someone.

I trade off the pain of carrying it around with knowing I can rescue breathe without hesitation.

 

[emt seeking first job]

Can anyone imagine what Norman Rockwell would be painting today?
For some reason the author Stephen King comes to mind...sorry, off topic.

I am an EMT-Basic but not employed yet. With no real experience I would not
intervene in any emergency unless there were no other choices open.
I passed a MVA while working in western Mass. The MOI was severe but it
looked like all passengers were sitting up and the police were there. No
ambulance. I considered stopping but quickly slapped myself (mentally) and said
what the hell do I know and moved on. But, I still wonder if I did the right thing. :unsure:

I repeat, fellow EMT with certificate but no experience, you did the right thing.

The police were there.

My scenario in this thread was about rescue breathing, the hassle of carrying a pocket mask, versus, my hesitation to go mouth to mouth.

 

[Chimpie]

My scenario is I am at , lets say a church function, and someone stops breathing, and everyone points at me, knowing i completed the EMT class, expecting some CPR....so I am forced to carry the mask with me.

No you're not. You can do compressions only until EMS arrives, if you so choose to. You also have the right to do nothing since you're not on duty.

 

[emt seeking first job]

So I just did an Intelius free search and it's funny because I have 4 different entries, 2 of which have the wrong age and none of them actually linking together the fact that I'm the same person. Ironically enought, it has one of the two addresses from when I lived in Massachuetts for 2 years, but not the one where I was the name on the utility bills.

Intellius mixes people up with similar names/addresses. It is not a direct source.

 

[emt seeking first job]

I had one of those key chain pocket masks for a while, but they degrade pretty quickly. I figure that if I ever have to do CPR in public it will be compressions only unless the place I'm at has a kit with a mask in it.

I am just compelled to carry the pocket mask, as I said, not for strnagers, but for people that know me, know I took the class, but I would not want to put my mouth on.

 

[abckidsmom]

I am admitting this here as I am on this forum anonymously.

I just dont want to put my mouth on someone unless they are someone I am already kissing. Hence, I am burdened to carry the pocket mask with me. It came with the class, I could get one of those flat ones, but I think the pocket mask in the case is more effective (better seal) to ventilate someone.

I trade off the pain of carrying it around with knowing I can rescue breathe without hesitation.

And there are plenty of people who I would kiss but would not so much like their vomit in my mouth. I get this, and am extremely thankful for the benefit of compressions-only CPR. And I have an ambu bag in the car.

 

[emt seeking first job]

No you're not. You can do compressions only until EMS arrives, if you so choose to. You also have the right to do nothing since you're not on duty.

In a public area, where nobody knows me, YES, but in a group , like church, people know me, no....