Title says all really. Moving Counties here soon and they are one of the two options, The other isn't that great and want to avoid at all costs. So i was wondering if anyone could help out. Thank you for your time.

Last night we responded to the aftermath of a police chase.

When the sedan finally pulled over on the highway, 6 people fled on foot in every direction. 3 got away, 2 were detained, and one ran directly into the path of a semi truck traveling at 75mph.

The one that got hit by a truck was absolutely mangled. Half of his body was facing forward, the other half was facing the opposite way. There were parts of him like a quarter mile down the road.

The truck driver was sobbing uncontrollably. He asked to be taken to the hospital.

My coworkers were annoyed that the driver asked to be transported since he had no injuries whatsoever.

I know that we get accustomed to death and gore, but I think we all easily forget how absolutely fucking horrifying it is to witness this stuff, let alone be an indirect cause. When we see family members that asked to be transported after we perform unsuccessful resuscitation on a loved one, we might roll our eyes because there is no reason they need to go to the ED.

These people are in a crisis and they have no where to turn. They are at the lowest point of their life, faced with a situation that many people spend their whole lives without even getting close to experiencing. Even though we see these every day, these are situations that people may spend the next couple years in therapy trying to understand and cope with.

~80 year old male with chest pain x 2 days. Not a frequent visitor to family doctor so PmHx is not particularly complete, but you can guess the usual suspects.

When doc said the number I thought they were joking. Turns out, not so much.

54 YOF no prior med history, 9/10 epigastric abdominal pain with radiation to left arm.

Tx with nitro, ASA withheld as patient was allergic. Pt remained stable throughout 40 min transport time.

12 lead: Diffuse ST elevation throughout inferior, anterior and lateral leads. Posterior revealed reciprocal ST depression. Pt accepted to cath lab and 3 stents inserted.

In order of likelihood based on what I've seen and heard so far. Feel free to add your own.

1. I will think to myself "I don't get paid enough for this shit" regardless of how well or well not I'm actually paid
2. I will get every manner of bodily fluid on my person at least once.
3. I will see something utterly horrific.
4. Somebody's elderly parent or grandparent on a long transport will ask me to play music, then eventually get bored of my inoffensive old people music playlist and ask me to play something raunchy.
5. I will have an unhealthy relationship with caffeinated beverages.
6. I will be present for the delivery of a (hopefully) healthy baby.

40 y/o M planning to run a 50K ultramarathon. Sent to my by paramedic friend. Struggling to identify rhythm. Plz help!

I really feel like Phil Connors in Groundhog Day today. I failed, we failed, the hospitals failed, social services failed..... because we did not help a homeless drunk frequent flyer. I've transported "Mike" for 10+ years. We all have, and so have surrounding towns within 15 miles. He's been in every hospital for various complaints. Some days he's pleasant, other days not. We've responded at least 100 times. I'm 100% sure that over the years he's been offered services. For all the reasons we've all seen (on both sides), that failed.

He's in his 70's and in the last 6 months he's obviously gotten much worse. But I would say "We" (everyone) got stale with "it's Mike again" and he gets whatever Mike always got. And I am very guilty of that. Was it good care? yes. Was it enough care? No. Last week I transported him and it was the worst I had seen. But I know he was back homeless in our town not long after. A couple of us put a plan together and I started making phone calls. It took 6 different organizations and a couple of hours but we got him an in-patient bed for detox/clearance, and approved for residency at a facility. Excellent. All he needs to do is agree and we take him.

My partner knows where his camp is in the woods (no tent, just a pile of leaves). He finds him there barely verbal, incontinent x2, immediate transport. Hypotensive, glucose 65, hypernatremia, hypokalemia. Now he will be admitted (vs "catch and release" as is typical) with the plan that he will go to the detox bed .... if he survives, which is now questionable.

Like I said, he got good care, but he did not get great care until we got a wake up call. I know we all see this. I know we can't fix everyone or every shitty system. But when I really started to make phone calls and tell the story, everyone genuinely did care and every single person wanted to help. I wish I did this 6 months ago and I wish that the system was better set to do this automatically (it's not the pieces of the system that fail it's the interconnections)

Does the experience carry over? Are there gaps in education? Pitfalls in both (one focused on trauma, the other on medical and trauma, etc)? Will I be marketable to civilian companies without wartime exp?

Current ground medic (new), thinking of joining NG/Reserves to become a flight medic since civilian flight companies won't touch me without more experience.

Is it worth going through the Army's NREMT-P course, then to go through their CC and FP courses, or skip NREMT and go straight CC and FP? My company would be paying me throughout training either way.

There's nothing cool going on for the military unless you're in SOC (the kewl guyz), but is the peacetime exp worth the hassle of being in the regular NG/Reserve? 18D in 7th group is the pipedream but I don't have that dawg I me. Yet.

I'd ultimately be using the military industrial complex to further my own career path, which sounds bad, but I think the fact that I'd be serving my brothers in arms makes up for that.

Just feeling stuck and bored in my current job, which I'm truly thankful for, but still looking for guidance.

Any tips or anything I should expect? Planning to do it at a er department and fire station

I work for a private EMS company and things have been going well up until now. I have experience in this line of work and started at my current company not too long ago. Currently I'm in the ride out phase of the job with various FTO's. I was being put on both BLS and ALS trucks during this time, and liked everyone I was working with. Only problem was that on the ALS truck I was put with a new FTO and I never got along with him. Since I am new to the area and the company things are done differently here, and while I'm trying to learn my FTO is not helping me when I need it and he would constantly throw everything at me without warning causing me to become overwhelmed on a couple occasions causing me to mess up or miss things.

Overall I have been doing well despite that, but I had an incident the other day that caused this. We got a run from a frequent caller who never actually has a problem, but this time said it was for not being able to be woken up. Seemed like a normal call, until we get there and I found that the patient was my estranged abusive dad I hadn't seen in 6 years up until that point. He claimed that nothing was wrong and that he was just drunk. It was hard seeing him like that so I got vitals on him and my FTO got info from him.

During this I was doing my best and keeping my composure despite the circumstances, until my FTO began throwing multiple orders at me, some conflicting, and then was annoyed that I had to ask him for the info patient gave him because I was busy doing the four different things he was telling me to do.

As I was pulling up the refusal form the EMT that was with us told me to calm down and breathe, but he used my name when doing so. My dad didn't recognize me until that point, and when he did he began laughing at me while hugging the EMT that was with me. He began to get antagonistic toward me and my composure was starting to slip. So instead of breaking down in front of everyone, I handed off the computer to the EMT and told him he needed to handle getting that signature. I then walked away and waited in the ambulance for 2 minutes while they got things packed up.

They then brought me back to the station because they said I wasn't in the condition to do my job after that, and after filling out an incident report, talking to a supervisor, and apolagizing to my FTO and his partner I got sent home for the night. I came back the next day and worked another shift with a different FTO and things went perfectly and I had a good night.

However when I came in today, they said I was being put on admin leave and they would call me when they had an answer. I really feel bad about the whole thing, and never had a thing like this happen. I know I can handle the job, but my FTO not helping me, and seeing my abusive dad who gave me PTSD all added up. I completed all the patient care on him, the only thing I had to have someone else do was the refusal so I could seperate myself from the escelating situation.

Sorry for the long story, but what should I expect from this leave I got put on? Will I keep my job after this?

For all of your bad calls what do you do to burry the anxiety depression and feelings? I had a awful call the other day and I can't shake the feelings.

Today: IFT truck, rainy, headache, horrible drivers, stressful call trying to figure out where patient lives, partner does not ask said patient questions about where he lives or what color his house is in, being told what to do by a new EMT (I’ve been an EMT for 6 years), and being overstimulated because both radios are loud.

All while I’m trying to bite my tongue. I still have 4 hours left until I can go home. 🥲🥲🥲

How is your shift going?

Someone on r/legaladvice had a question about a $60k air ambulance bill for their child. Insurance ruled it medically unnecessary after the fact and the aeromedical billing department was threatening to send it to collections. I kind of casually mentioned the signed Notice of Medical Necessity we always have to have before leaving a clinic, urgent care or ER. My suggestion blew up! I've never had 250+ up votes before.

It's genuinely disgusting and infuriating the condition I find some trucks in. Of course staffing is bad as is so I don't imagine this is even on admins list of things that need to be enforced but that shouldn't even be necessary, we're adults FFS, all it should take is a shred of dignity.

I always have to come in early if I wasn't working the day before and knew I was going to be in the same truck because I never know what I'm going to find.

Edit: DO NOT even get me started on the 10+ unnecessary boxes of gloves.

I am very ashamed of myself,and I want to quit my job. I'll move past this, but I cannot believe myself.

I have been an EMT 3 months now, and I battle motion sickness. I've had it under control for a while (or so I thought) switched to Zofran and got the nasty feelings under control in the back of the bumpy ambulance. Zofran kinda stopped working, I felt nausea coming on more and even attending to patients needs and procedures I couldn't distract it.

Yesterday I felt very sick, I ended up sucking on lemon heads but I felt very nauseous, I vomited on a young man who has overdosed on drugs. I tried my best to clean up and I felt so embarrassed I don't feel worthy of my job anymore.

How should I go about my issue??

I do. I'm a Firefighter in SW FL, trained chef and have a passion for good food and eating smart. I'm looking for some of your favorite station recipes (healthy or not) - send em my way!

Well I'm happy to post an update about the case. And that the patient is doing fine. We have a confirmed diagnosis and outcome.

Pt is a 73 male, with diabetes, high blood pressure, parkinson, hipotiroidism, miositis, smoker, COPD, 6 previous stents due to previous infarction.

Started a 5 weeks ago with can be described as unstable angina. Typical chest pain (oppressive, blunt, mid esternal) associated with dyspnea and sudoration. Those episodes were mostly random, appeared even in rest. But in general short mins and generally mild. He didn't want to call in fear of a new catheterization.

Sunday at night a new episode started wile was at rest, with a more severe pain, and persistent. Lasting more than 20 mins with notable shortness of breath. Most interesting finding was silent or at least inaudible lung sounds in both pulmonary bases. No oedema was found. An 12 lead EKG showed and old RBBB with 1st degree AV block, noticed ST depression in V3 to V6, not justifiable by the RBBB.

Was transported to an hospital with capable cath lab, but protocol no activated. Interpreted ACS (possible N-STEMI). An CHF.

Based on a increasing troponins curve and poor response to nitrites he went to cath lab a few hours later. During catheterization, the found that an old stent located in LAD was obstructed by a clot in a 99%. Also Cx had a restenosis of 95% proximal to another old stent. 2 new stents were placed. Final diagnosis was N-STEMI plus CHF with acute pulmonary edema.

Today pt was discharged from hospital (a bit too fast if you ask me). Ecocardiography before discharge found 60% eyection fraction with basal akinesia. Also EKG before discharge found a persistent V3 to V6 st depresión.

He called again to our emergency service due to headache with bright spots in vision. He was fearing a stroke. I was dispatched to check the patient. Truly a great luck and coincidence. He was happy that I was attending him again.Tonight complain was interpreted as migraine. Patient was worried about and stroke. When I left he was already feeling better (before calling he took tynelol). I hope he keeps going well.

New EMT, and I’m a couple of weeks into training with the ambulance company I got hired at. Driving the ambulance’s has been my biggest fear as far as messing up, and surprise surprise, I got pulled into the sup’s office tonight at the end of my shift to be reprimanded for setting off the dash cam.

Driving code to a call going the allowed 10 miles over the speed limit and I had to make a sudden lane change to a turn lane so I braked harder than I should have and set off the camera. FTO was in the passenger seat on the computer and didn’t mention anything about the camera being set off so I had no idea.

Got a talking to about safe driving and just over all super embarrassing and discouraging because now I feel super paranoid about making another stupid mistake like that when I’m not even cleared from training.

So I’ve been working night shift for a few years now. Not just in EMS but still. I feel like recently it’s really been taking a toll on me. I will explain why.

Firstly, I feel like I am constantly tired. My sleep schedule is so jacked up. It’s not even funny.

Secondly, the peace and quiet during the night time hours is great. Don’t get me wrong. However, sometimes it also feels a little bit isolating. I can’t even talk to any of my friends or family because they are asleep. I don’t even get to see or talk to my husband before he leaves for work because I am sleeping.

I do enjoy my own company here and there, but I also enjoy socializing here and there too. So not being able to it’s almost becoming depressing. To avoid sounding too dramatic, I do get to socialize still but not for very long. I’m either asleep, working, or trying to get other stuff done that requires my attention.

Please don’t just comment “well switch to days.” I am actively trying to. However, we are short staffed and they need people on nights. We are hoping to get some new people soon and once they are trained I was at least told that I can probably switch to days since 1. We have more staff and 2. I will have a little bit of seniority over these newbies. This is going to take time though to get new people in + train until they are comfortable being on the truck so therefore, it will be maybe 3-4 months if not more. If anything, hopefully less. Time will tell.

In the meantime while I wait, how do you other night shifters combat these things?

Please somebody tell me I am not battling this alone.

Hello all!

Im currently a 26 YOM, 6’2 and 400 pounds. I have been in EMS for 6 years and a Paramedic for 3. My weight problem started in high school and I understand a long slew of decisions have got me to this point, but I’m trying to climb out of it now. I’ve tried to lose weight several times in the past by trying different diets and even getting personal trainers, but I’ve had multiple fall through not being able to work around my work schedule. I’ve told myself for years that if I ever hit 400 pounds, I absolutely have to turn this ship around because I am horrified of having the multitude of health problems we see people have on a daily basis and having an untimely death. I want to be here for a long time and I want to watch my future children grow up and I understand that will not happen if I don’t change my ways. Like everyone else I work an insane amount of hours trying to make ends meet. I work mostly at a 911 sleeper station so my low call volume and sedentary life style do not help. I am afraid to try to do workouts out work because I get extremely sweaty and begin to smell rather quickly, and I have to be able to get on an ambulance and be moving within our 3 minute dispatch window so there’s no time to shower quick, although my station does have one. Luckily I just moved into a nice new apartment with a gym I have been using on my days off even though those are hard to come by. I’ve been trying to meal prep as much as I can to try and eat better. What tips can you give me for losing weight at a sedentary station? Any tips you’ve found that help being in EMS specifically? Any exercise routines or diets that can help burn fat? I’m desperate and willing to try anything. Also if this is not the right place I apologize and can try a fitness subreddit, I just thought people here may be better able to understand my situation first. Thanks in advance.

My current work schedule is:

Monday: Off Tuesday: Off Wednesday: 7am-7pm Thursday: 6pm-6am (at our transport station) Friday: 7am-7pm Saturday/Sunday: 7am-7pm (36 hours)

Hey everyone, I just have a quick scenario that I was in with a pt. a while ago and still kind of wonder about it.

Went on a call to a older pt. who fell from his dresser and onto the floor. Lived by himself so was not found until 2 days later when the neighbor called 911. Pt was awake but altered, had swelling on his mid thoracic region on his back, which was a red flag to me. FD was unsure to use a longboard or not for full spinal stabilization, but we agreed it would not be a good idea because it could risk making his back injury worse, given all the new information about longboards making things worse, so we applied a C-collar and were able to set the gurney right next to him and lift him on using a mega-mover, and setting him onto the gurney right after that. On the ride there pt. was saying he had trouble feeling his toes but later saying he was able to feel them again and wiggle them.

I think about scenarios often and wonder what I could have done different, should we have used a longboard, or at least a scoop stretcher, or was a mega-mover with c-collar the the best move. We didn't really need to move him around at all, more just lifting him right up and onto the stretcher. Any input or advice?