First Snowmageddon of the Year

Dear inventors of sandbags, 4 wheel drive, all terrain tires, and snow windshield wipers - my pickup truck and I would like to take a moment to thank you for getting us home last night in that blizzard. Also, thanks to all those folks with the flashing yellow lights and big ol' plows who like to slow us down on the highway. (I really do appreciate you guys... It's just a lingering jealousy that I don't have a plow and am stuck shoveling myself out...)

Seriously, though. If I'd been trapped at work, they would've had me on the road all night.

For all you crazy kids out there in this mess, be careful. Our big box truck stood the test today because nearly all of the roads we needed were plowed. Traction control can only do so much, if you even have it. The amount of ice that built up in our windshield wipers, and on our windshield as a result, made both my partner and I get completely turned around on two separate calls. And the wind... don't get me started on the wind.

I know you want to speed to that cardiac arrest. We did, too. Even after that sedan fishtailed partway into our lane while trying to pull to the right and scared the shit out of us.

But you know what? We got there in one piece, and the patient got to the hospital in one piece. No police officers, firefighters, medics, EMTs, family members or innocent bystanders were injured in the process.

Remember: Slow acceleration, slow deceleration, 3x the space you'd normally leave between yourself and the car in front of you. Drive like everyone else on the road is about to do something incredibly stupid. If you're responding to an MVA, chances are you'll be driving over the slippery sections that your patient lost control on. When you're out on scene, expect other cars on the road to be losing control on those same spots and stage appropriately. (This includes other first responders! That firetruck may not actually be able to stop. Get word to them via dispatch if possible.) Block the entire road if necessary until DOT trucks get there to clean things up. Level Zero is also known as: don't be stupid, because you of all people know that there is no one to save your sorry butt.

Snow can be very fun when you're off-duty:




BUT THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE AT WORK:




Be safe. And bring your own shovel if your truck doesn't have one. <3

Texts From Last Night

It's almost finals. I'm sitting on a few real posts, but here's what I've mostly been doing with my (not) free time. For those of you who don't know, this website is an epically distracting collection of drunk text messages. And proof that we will always have job security. :)

As it pertains to us:

EMT / Paramedic /Ambulance

Hospital / Nurse / Doctor

Firefighter / Firetruck / Fire

Police / Cop


*Note: May not be suitable for work.

So You Thought Your Job Was Dangerous...

We all have some type of cellphone tower within our areas. This video was shot in the USA, and yes, he is free climbing for most of this, against OSHA regulations (ignore what the video says). And it's called a Guyed Tower, not a "Gided Tower".

But how would you respond if he had a medical emergency while properly secured at 1,768 feet? Or got hit by lightning at 1,768 feet? Or had a partial fall from 1,768 feet while secured, which resulted in a spinal injury? What if he hit his partner on the way down and you now have 2 patients?

Tower workers go through training for how to rescue one another at those heights. That guy holding the red tool bag is going to be your point man if anything were to happen to his partner. From what you can see, they travel light, so they won't have much medical equipment readily available. Does anyone do interdepartmental training with their local tower workers? Do your departments have protocols for how to handle these scenarios?

Personally, that's when I call the boys with the big red trucks. They have ladders bigger than the Empire State Building, right?




There's a good discussion about the technicalities of these towers HERE.

Paramedic-Assist

I am now licensed to stab you.

In the name of medicine, of course.


[Credits]

In New York State, EMT-Bs are allowed to play with glucometers if their agency has approval and provides training. Unfortunately, New York City has their own protocols, which don't allow glucometers to be used by BLS providers.

Up here in Massachusetts, glucometers are included in a separate Paramedic-Assist Certification. Which my job made me get. :) So I not only get to stab you to check your glucose levels, I also get to stick on EKG electrodes, secure ET tubes and do basic IV prep (spiking the bag, taping down the catheter). It also covers albuterol nebulizers, which are a regular EMT-B skill in New York.

The upside? More challenging calls. The downside? More cleanup.


For more reading:

How to Use a Glucometer - About.com

New York State Glucometer Protocol

Massachusetts Protocols

E4

My brand new Specialist is alive and well, and still has all her limbs attached in their proper places. She's flying back to the 'Stan tonight for another few months. We've got a last date to send care packages and everything. Cross your fingers that the brass actually sticks to their word this time.

While I was off having epic adventures, I was also contemplating the fact that I now work in a large town in a smallish state, where every department knows every other department's business. So when I go to statcounter and find that local folks have been visiting my blog, I can't really go gushing about how freaking awesome my new training is. (It's pretty awesome.)

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I am stalking you, too.

And I have one question...


(Click to supah-size)

...Kuwait? Really?


PS: Props to Medic 999 for the linkage. :)

Getting Me Some Of This

...for 2 whole weeks of R&R. In New York City until further notice. <3