LOL - something for my paramedic and EMT friends - a bumper sticker that says "My other car is an ambulance" <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I used to make my own kits, but I found that EMS has good little kits that seem to work OK for me:

http://tinyurl.com/vxl0

I carry a "Solo" with me all the time, have a "Guide" kit plus Sam Splint in the Jeep and have another Scout Kit in the Wife's van.

I added to the larger & car kits instant ice packs - really helpful with kids.

Is it that obvious? My FAK is 6 times larger than PSK and I'm still not happy with it. <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Matt

speaking of bumper stickers... my friends during horse play in the base smacked one on my back that said :"have you hugged your emt today?"... before they could take it off I run out to a call. We are in the hospital and everyone is laughing, all the nurses are hugging me and this girl's father we just brought in is screaming at her to get a boyfriend. Than he spots a sticker on my back points at me and says: "He looks like Snoopy, he is single and I think you will make cute babies. Now go and hug him and bring him home Sunday night." I had to ask what's up with all the hugging and they told me about the sticker. I still get hugs from nurses which is a good thing.

Matt

I want to be an EMT too!
I think this is the right moment to ask what an EMT actually "is". How far up the ladder are you in terms of medical knowledge? Is there a position similar in the UK?
This question had been bugging my mind for a while now just never got round to asking it.

Reinhardt Woets van Houten

In the US (per NY protocols) that’s how it works:

1st Level: CPR certified.

2nd Level (Certified First Responded) : Above plus some trauma training (2-3 months study time)

3rd Level (Emergency Medical Technician) : Same as above but with advanced airway management, suction, defibliration, full trauma training, extrication, immobilization, trained in giving and assisting with basic meds (O2, Charcoal, epinephrine, baby aspirin, nitroglycerin and inhalers) They are also called BLS units (Basic Life Support) (5-6 months study time)

4th Level (Paramedic) : EMT with advanced cardiac skills (EKGs), even more advanced airway management (intubation/treacha tubes/etc), starting lines, thy also have a lot of meds at their disposal. You are basically a field doc. They are also called ALS units (Advanced Life Support) (12 -24 months study time)


I know that outside of NY there is a level of training between 3 and 4. I think they are called EMT Intermediate. Those guys can start lines but don’t give meds and I think they work on intubations as well.

Now in NYC Paramedics are dispatched to cardiac calls, pregnancy (OB calls) and difficulty breathing. We have strictly paramedic units and strictly EMT units. Medics are very rarely dispatched to trauma calls because they like to play around when patient needs hot light and cold steel. They don’t mean bad but in NYC unless I’m stuck somewhere I’m never more than 10-15 minutes away from the hospital and delaying transport is always bad. In other places were hospital is 40-50 minutes away paramedics usually ride with EMT and provide their part of the trade en route to the hospital. BLS units love to work with ALS units because there is a lot we can learn and we see aspects of medicine we rarely come in contact with. ALS loves BLS because we take care of their dirty messy work. When Paramedic shows up on the scene they are in charge. I just passed my Paramedic qualification exams and I’m starting one year program this January.

Hope that helps,

Matt

Thats great information thank you. Helped me a lot about the understanding. I'm sure that this will be interesting for others too.

Reinhardt

Congrats on your Medic!

Thank you. I was told to tape 12 rent checks to my front door, put my picture on my parents fridge and kiss my dog good bye and tell him that I will reapear in 12 months.

I see some medics who are graduating now and they are so stressed out and tired that it's not funny. But I love working so I welcome a new chalange (at least until exams start).

Matt

We in Maryland have the EMT-I level of training. They are able to administer most first line cardiac meds and many of the cardiac related ALS skills. Due to the increase in EMT-P training and scope of practice, many jurisdictions are having a hard time attracting and retaining paramedics, so are recruiting at the EMT-I level.

Humor: I am sure you have seen the following and in many ways it is quite true. However, not all of us Ps shy away from the “dirty” work, I too clean vomit, blood and other bodily functions from my patients and ensure BLS before ALS. Maybe, I am one of a dying breed, but feel no work is beneath me; it is a team effort, as it all benefits the patient. I even clean up after myself and make sure all sharps are out of harms way. Pete

“PARAMEDICS SAVE LIVES – EMTs SAVE PARAMEDICS”