Comments on: Still Alive

by: alex

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 15:41:00 +0000

What’s your typical day like? How many calls? How many are ‘rubbish’? How many are from GPs? etc..

by: HardySoul

Sat, 15 Dec 2007 22:56:01 +0000

I’m sure MM will have wittier answers, but here goes:

“Why did the operator tell me to put someone flat on their back when I was trained to put them in the recovery position?”
a) Because you can monitor breathing better
b) Patient is in right position to start ventilations or compressions if required
c)Not everyone actually does a good job of R******y postion (or maintaining effective airway)
d)R******y position is mainly for leaving patient ’safely’ alone while you do something else (eg run off for help or deal with the nextpatient)

“I was told to send someone to call 999 while I treated the patient, why did they come back to ask lots of questions when I was busy?”
Because there aren’t enough ambulances, and we have to prioritise the calls by asking questions. Also, as people have mobile phones at nearly every incident, you can ‘treat’ the patient AND asnwer questions at the same time…

“Why can’t you tell where I am when I send someone to call 999. The media always has people just dial 999 and then you know exactly where we are?”
Because where you are phoning from might not be the location of the emergency (eg your friend texted you to say they had taken overdose/ your granny phoned to say she has chest pain/ your wife’s friend’s brother’s aunt does not speak English but has fallen down the stairs/there is no mobile phone signal at the scene (not in London but does apply in Peak District!)/you passed a man laid out on the pavement 20 minutes ago when you were on the bus so phoned for amb when you got home….

Also if we don’t confirm the address we get the blame if it’s wrong. End of. Goodbye job in NeeNaw control. Self preservation and reduces day trips to Coroners Court.

by: KT

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 04:36:13 +0000

“I really don’t get why a medically trained person needs to baby sit a drunk.”
Another SJA here with a LOT of duties in concerts, raves and the like… I’ve had ‘drunks’ stop breathing because they’d ALSO taken GHB, I’ve had ‘drunks’ start vomiting blood and even a few ‘drunks’ who turned out to be hypo’s everyone just assumed were drunks. I’ve also had a lot of just plain drunks who irritate the living hell out of me If there’s first aid somewhere fantastic - because you never know when you’re going to have someone who’s more than ‘just drunk’.

“What’s the best way to ‘hand’ over to the ambulance crew/paramedic when you have been first aider treating casualty and what information should you have for them?”
Quick outline of the problem, brief medical history (if available), what led up to the event, what you’ve done thus far. They’ll do the exact same run through with the patient - don’t be offended, it’s partly to double check, partly to check cognitive status of the patient and also acts to catch any missed details. This will vary greatly from crew to crew though - my thoughts on this at http://followingchiron.blogspot.com/2007/12/take-long-deep-breaths.html

Cheers!

by: Sage

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 14:09:22 +0000

What’s the best way to ‘hand’ over to the ambulance crew/paramedic when you have been first aider treating casualty and what information should you have for them?

by: Melph

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 06:03:15 +0000

“If someone asks for a specific gender crew - do they get it?”
Maybe. But we don’t bend over backwards unless theres a good reason.

by: Tom Reynolds

Sat, 08 Dec 2007 11:37:23 +0000

Dullahan_999 - very true, forgot about that one.

Another question, stemming in part from a post I made over on my site.

If someone asks for a specific gender crew - do they get it? I know you try to look for a female crew to deal with rapes (and does that work the same way with a male rape?) but if someone demands a female crew, do they get it?

by: Dullahan_999

Sat, 08 Dec 2007 03:39:13 +0000

“How can I disconnect the camera that lets you know when I’m reaching for the boiler tap in order to make myself a cup of tea.”

Aha Tom, if you do disconnect it, the backup “just shut the toilet door” buzzer comes into effect!

by: Tom Reynolds

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 19:54:55 +0000

What would be the best way to slip a briefcase bomb into Gold Control before the winter pressures start?

How can I disconnect the camera that lets you know when I’m reaching for the boiler tap in order to make myself a cup of tea.

More seriously - has the MDT ‘countdown’ timer helped anything?

and

How many times have you wanted to tell an ambulance crew to stop whining when they ask during every call if they are really the nearest vehicle?

by: David

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:03:17 +0000

One of the things that used to bother me as a newby in the EMS field (and I have found out it was not just me), was when I arrived at a still alarm (scene I just happened to walk in upon), did a great job of stablizing things and getting a great set of baseline vitals….I was often ignored and pushed aside by “official responders” as they did not recognize my ability to assist, as I was not in uniform at the time. The only time I was ever paid any attention to, was if the responders personally knew me.

by: Mark Myers

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:33:57 +0000

Some good questions here (and some good “devil’s advocate” ones from you, Dullahan 999!) - keep them coming and I’ll start answering them at the end of the week!