Wearing your stethoscope

bryncvp

bryncvp

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Ok..so again let me say I am a newbie when it comes to EMS. I have yet to get on with a volly service although paperwork has been filled out (who knew it would take so long). Anyway, when I start out on a rescue...does the stethoscope go around the neck..or would I be THAT guy? We all know someone who is THAT guy..dont want to be him. So an informal survey..where does your stethoscope go?
 
Right trouser cargo pocket. YMMV. Around the neck once I get on scene and I'm doing stuff.
 
pants pocket...it's easy to throw it around your neck out of convenience...but try to avoid it. It's not so much that you would be "that guy," but its really a safety thing. With it around your neck, all a combative patient has to do is grab it and start choking you...just keep that in mind
 
Mine goes over the shoulder or on the stretcher. I don't have cargo pockets, if I did it'd go in there. Like someone already said, around the neck is a safety issue. You get the psych patient, the OD pt., the one coming out of a diabetic coma and they try to choke you out with it.
 
I didnt think of that. That is an excellent point.
 
Most of the time it's over the map light in the ambulance's passenger seat. But on scene, yeah, I usually wind up throwing it around my neck.
 
It is in the back of the unit hanging from something or on the bench seat and the other stethoscope is in the jump bag.

I have never carried one in my pocket or around my neck prehospitally.
 
One is hanging from the netting at the end of the bench seat and the other stays on the gurney or is in the med box/bag.

I don't do the whole Third Watch thing and carry stuff around my neck. I'm pretty sure my partner would want to strangle me with it if I did.
 
Mine sits in the cab when I'm not on a call, and I wear it around my neck when I am on a call. I keep pretty close tabs on it because it is pretty easy for equipment to get mixed up. I've had the FDs accidentally pick up my trauma shears before, and I don't want that happening with my scope.
 
bryncvp said:
Ok..so again let me say I am a newbie when it comes to EMS. I have yet to get on with a volly service although paperwork has been filled out (who knew it would take so long). Anyway, when I start out on a rescue...does the stethoscope go around the neck..or would I be THAT guy? We all know someone who is THAT guy..dont want to be him. So an informal survey..where does your stethoscope go?
Click to expand...

Some people may agree, some may not. However, your stethescope should be placed so that it is easily accessible from within arms reach. Going on scene without is is lacking in my opinion.
 
Mine go's in my cargo pocket most of the time, the one that has the trauma shear snaps. If I am using it on scene it might go around my neck.
I really like the small holsters for them I see some of the nurses with. But the more stuff you start wearing or collecting on your belt could turn you into "that guy" :P
 
When not on a call it lives in my right thigh pocket. During a call it sometimes ends up around my neck, but I've gotten out of that habit
 
Forgot to mention, we also have five (5!) more on the ambulance (company policy), one in the trauma bag, and another in the airway bag. Seven in all, so I'm really never too far from one.

I don't have my own, btw, I just use a company steth.
 
Ok..recommendation on boots and cargo pants - perhaps heavier ones in the winter and lighter ones in the summer?
 
I have never had summer and winter pants. I guess your geographical location could dictate that. I have also never had summer and winter boots. I do have short sleeve and long sleeve uniform shirts, but thats it.

Just get yourself a solid made comfortable pair of black leather boots.
There is a good boot thread on here somewhere in another section. A lot of folks posted there fav boots or boots they want to get. I recommend searching for it and checking it out.
 
On the gurney and then I'll sling it (situational dependent, i.e. not on psychatric emergency calls) on scene if need be for storage.
 
Don't worry about being "that guy" on a scene. Chances are, if you can identify that there is "that guy", you're not him.

That being said, wear your stethoscope where it's most comfortable for you. Be warned, though, that any position you wear it in has its own inherent risks. If it's around your neck, it could be used as a weapon against you. If you sling it over your shoulder, the earpieces could get caught on something or it could fall. If you carry it in your pants' cargo pocket, you could do what I've done, which is bang that particular pocket into the ambulance door and give yourself a nice bruise.

Just do what makes you comfortable, and piss off what anyone else says about it. If they don't like it, tough tits to them.
 
Excellent point. I am usually not worried at all about what people thing, but being the FNG (f*&^ing new guy) I want to avoid any undo hazing..which I am sure will happen anyway..haha..

You are right though...wherever its comfy for me is the way to go.
 
The easy answer is do what the rest of the people on your service are doing. I hate to say it but as the new guy you should generally be trying to fit in (as long as it isn't something illegal, unethical, dangerous etc). As you get more experience you figure out what works for you and modify. I'm a medical student, on surgery my stethoscope goes in the coat pocket like everyone else, in the ED around the neck etc.
 
Wanna get choked?

I've always folded mine in half then slipped the bight UP under my belt. Comes from yeras of USAF (around neck is /was against AFR 35-10 appearance etc) and twenty years in corrections. Never dropped it.
 
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