Why do YOU carry a personal jump/trauma bag?

[adamjh3]

You're welcome. I can see you don't agree with my stance, but do you think it makes me a bad person simply because I don't believe we are beholden to endanger ourselves? Key phrase here: "endanger ourselves"...if I can do it safely, in keeping with the accepted practices of our profession, then I will help. If not, then I am simply another passerby with a cell phone. It is not a matter of "I don't help when off duty", it's a matter of "I don't endanger myself as a standard practice, on or off duty" Any problem with that?

I'm not sure if that was directed at me, but I DO agree with your stance 100%. That's why I quoted you. My safety comes before everyone else, unless for some weird reason putting myself in danger will significantly benefit (i.e. result in them not dying vs. dying) my family and a select few friends. But I really can't see any situation where that would happen.

 

[usafmedic45]

I'm not sure if that was directed at me, but I DO agree with your stance 100%. That's why I quoted you. My safety comes before everyone else...

Ah...just making sure. I've gotten quite a few nasty PMs from (mostly) newbies on this site about my posts in the thread you quoted from, so I figured I would ask.

unless for some weird reason putting myself in danger will significantly benefit (i.e. result in them not dying vs. dying) my family and a select few friends. But I really can't see any situation where that would happen.

Never say never. I never thought I would be staring down the throat of my best friend as he coded, but it happened. I have worked on more family members and friends than I am comfortable admitting to. That is the price one pays working in EMS, soon or later, it always gets personal and it hurts when it does.

 

[adamjh3]

It's unfortunate that people see your level-headedness (is that a word?) as a negative trait. Not to be a brown-noser but you're one of a few people I definitely look up to on this board.

As far as friends and family, all I can say is I'm not looking forward to when that day comes.

 

[TransportJockey]

Ah...just making sure. I've gotten quite a few nasty PMs from (mostly) newbies on this site about my posts in the thread you quoted from, so I figured I would ask.

I'm glad that they leave me alone and put all their anger towards you

 

[usafmedic45]

Not to be a brown-noser but you're one of a few people I definitely look up to on this board.

Thank you. It's nice to know that I'm beating my head against a wall for the benefit of a few.

It's unfortunate that people see your level-headedness (is that a word?) as a negative trait.

It's viewed as being:
-cold
-unfeeling
-a son of a *****
-brutal
-callous
-nasty
-despicable

...and those were just the words used by one person to describe me! I liked the other person who accused me of having ice water coursing through my veins. They got really upset when I replied with "Well now, I guess that explains why my hands are also so cold! Thanks Chief!"

Granted, I may be a little callous and not prone to letting my emotions (other than anger and frustration) get the better of me, but it doesn't mean I don't have concern for my fellow man. I just happen to believe in a hierachy of social "value" (for lack of a better or, at least, more polite way to describe it) based on how much one gives to society as balanced by what they take from it. That seems to rub a lot of people the wrong way.

As far as friends and family, all I can say is I'm not looking forward to when that day comes.

When it does, you know I'm more than happy to provide a (believe it or not) empathetic ear.

 

[usafmedic45]

I'm glad that they leave me alone and put all their anger towards you

Squeakiest wheel gets the grease first, I guess. LOL

 

[Melclin]

We have a word for people like you

woops sposed to be in PM

 

[Trayos]

I feel as long as somebody has a rational decision making process on whether to render care outside of work, they are fully entitled to do as much or as little as they please.
$0.02

 

[thatJeffguy]

I'll address some of the things I've read here and attempt to clarify some things I've said;

First off, I never said and advocate against placing yourself in danger. Any opinions I offer, advice I give or suggestions I toss out all are predicated by the understanding that "THE SCENE IS SAFE.", or at least as safe as one can make it.

I think that some of us might be speaking of different terms here as well. The medical gear that I carry is mainly to be used on myself or my friends or family members. I'm not carrying a special aide bag specifically for the purpose of responding to a scene as an EMT-b. A number of activities that I undertake involve a combination of items with potential danger (firearms, specifically) and being far away from the EMS system (backcountry hiking, canoeing, etc). I believe that either of those two things individually should be enough to provoke an individual into carrying at least a basic first aid kit, it not a trauma kit geared towards self-aid.

The majority of the contents of my kit aren't geared specifically towards serious trauma. My "blow out" kit and tourniquets are about the only trauma-specific things in the bag. Kerlix, tape, gauze, occlusives, blister-pads, band-aids, OTC medications, syringes (for irrigation)... all can be used for minor injuries or complications.

If you feel OK with yourself driving past an accident, or if you'd witness an individual being injured and not intervene, that's on you. I think we can all agree that we're not going into a dangerous scene.

 

[Fox]

- aviator sun glasses.
- a selection of pens: To the untrained eye...handy for writing but, but too those of us trained to act quickly in an emergency..bam!.. Pen cric.

:3

 

[Fox]

I recently spent $30 on the NASA space pen just in case I have to write upside down, underwater, in space or upside down underwater while in space.

My partner spent $0.88 and got a pencil.

Got mine for $12 in bootcamp!

 

[Fox]

I carry a trauma bag so i have an excuse to cut off hot guy's clothes

Hahaha!

don't forget to do a priapism sweep, they could have a head/spinal injury.