I can't say I agree with this advice in every case (trained vs. untrained responders, family vs. unknown victim, etc.), however one interesting thing:

Back when I was a paramedic running ambulance duty, we could give morphine on standing orders but required a direct order to give aspirin.

"Standing orders" mean you are following a defined protocol, but you as the paramedic make the decision to procede or not yourself in the field. "Direct orders" mean you have to radio in to the hospital and get a physicians consent before proceding. The protocols you follow as a paramedic are goverened by your "physician advisor". They decide what you can and cannot do, and what (if any) advance authorization you require before proceding. A different ambulance service than mine could well have given aspirin under standing orders, but had to radio in for a direct order for the morphine. This was many years ago. Maybe protocols are more standardized these days.

NYC is reverse to what you are used to... I can give pretty much anyone 162mg of asa followed by nitro but got to call for Morpheus.

I read in a (non-medical) magazine that a study found that Alka-Seltzer (which contains Asprin) worked ~3 times faster than regular Asprin and therefore may be better in treating suspected heart-attack. I don't know if that was disolving the tablet or chewing it.

Any thoughts/futher info on this? I carry both Asprin and Alka-Seltzer at the moment...

eeph

We use 81mg chewable baby aspirin on the medic unit, giving up to 4 for a total maximum dose of 324mg at the discretion of the medic based upon the patient’s signs/symptoms, medications and history.

Pete

I also take (87mg)aspirin my doctor explained that one a day
was to aid in warding off the event of getting a heart attack
or stroke.

FYI: Dutch EMS-protocol is 500mg I.V.