<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359</id><updated>2011-07-31T02:00:57.693-04:00</updated><title type='text'>East Coast EMT</title><subtitle type='html'></subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default?max-results=100'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08126379960578268315</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uARHZm5JnTc/Suz9PiD3DOI/AAAAAAAAAAM/mChgvaMKqRM/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>30</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>100</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-823380141904953909</id><published>2010-05-18T20:55:00.002-04:00</published><updated>2010-05-18T21:14:52.757-04:00</updated><title type='text'>EMS Week</title><content type='html'>&lt;div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Happy EMS Week!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who is working in EMS.  Your hard work does not go unnoticed.  Thank you for doing what you do - I know from doing it myself, that it's not always easy.  You are very much appreciated!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-823380141904953909?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/823380141904953909/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=823380141904953909&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/823380141904953909'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/823380141904953909'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2010/05/ems-week.html' title='EMS Week'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08126379960578268315</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uARHZm5JnTc/Suz9PiD3DOI/AAAAAAAAAAM/mChgvaMKqRM/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-1527847379426815102</id><published>2010-04-21T14:54:00.002-04:00</published><updated>2010-04-21T18:29:42.828-04:00</updated><title type='text'></title><content type='html'>I recently celebrated my birthday.  And with it came one of the worst days of work yet.  Go figure!  Hahah.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If only I could just stop thinking, and stop doubting myself and everything I did, I might get some sleep this week.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-1527847379426815102?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/1527847379426815102/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=1527847379426815102&amp;isPopup=true' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/1527847379426815102'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/1527847379426815102'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2010/04/i-recently-celebrated-my-birthday.html' title=''/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08126379960578268315</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uARHZm5JnTc/Suz9PiD3DOI/AAAAAAAAAAM/mChgvaMKqRM/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-3076453286009507641</id><published>2010-03-30T21:35:00.004-04:00</published><updated>2010-03-30T22:10:30.854-04:00</updated><title type='text'>Stuck</title><content type='html'>Had a call this week.  It was quite exciting.  Though tragic in the end.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I don't feel like I can write about it on here.  But I can't get the picture out of my mind.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Anyone else have this problem with some calls?&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-3076453286009507641?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/3076453286009507641/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=3076453286009507641&amp;isPopup=true' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/3076453286009507641'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/3076453286009507641'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2010/03/stuck.html' title='Stuck'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08126379960578268315</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uARHZm5JnTc/Suz9PiD3DOI/AAAAAAAAAAM/mChgvaMKqRM/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-7003198280181729223</id><published>2010-03-25T13:59:00.002-04:00</published><updated>2010-03-25T14:08:52.727-04:00</updated><title type='text'></title><content type='html'>Question for all you medics out there... if you knew you were going to be working a shift with a brand new EMT, what would you want them to know?  If said EMT asked you to show them how to spike a bag and set up the monitor, would you willingly show them or expect them to already know?&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-7003198280181729223?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/7003198280181729223/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=7003198280181729223&amp;isPopup=true' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/7003198280181729223'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/7003198280181729223'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2010/03/question-for-all-you-medics-out-there.html' title=''/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08126379960578268315</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uARHZm5JnTc/Suz9PiD3DOI/AAAAAAAAAAM/mChgvaMKqRM/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-353105671434597128</id><published>2010-03-08T22:16:00.003-05:00</published><updated>2010-03-08T22:31:12.711-05:00</updated><title type='text'>Dinner Time</title><content type='html'>Had another code this week.  The man was in his late fifties.  It happened suddenly at the dinner table as he sat with his wife and two children.  Driving away lights and sirens blaring I could still see his family standing in the yard.  The two young girls cried while the mother stood motionless, unaware of the cop talking to her.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As we pulled into the ED the patient had a pulse.  Thready, but it was there. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A couple hours later we were back in the ED for a discharge.  The nurse informed us that the man had not made it.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It wasn't a messy call.  The house was well kept.  The chicken that they had been eating smelled really good.  I couldn't stop thinking about how hungry I was.  After the call my partner and I got chinese food.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Is that weird?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Yeah.  Sorry for the lack of posting.  Been doing a lot of overtime on top of some schedule changes.  I don't like the overnights.  But they do give me a lot more 911s.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-353105671434597128?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/353105671434597128/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=353105671434597128&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/353105671434597128'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/353105671434597128'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2010/03/dinner-time.html' title='Dinner Time'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08126379960578268315</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uARHZm5JnTc/Suz9PiD3DOI/AAAAAAAAAAM/mChgvaMKqRM/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-9137819958699690846</id><published>2010-03-02T16:49:00.005-05:00</published><updated>2010-03-02T17:10:18.312-05:00</updated><title type='text'>Stop time</title><content type='html'>I had a 96 year old patient today tell me that she prayed I would drop dead.  And die a horrible death.  Because we were taking her back home. Haha.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Poor thing had such severe dementia.  She was strong, though.  Seriously.  She just about gave my partner a black eye, too, as we transported her from the hospital back to the nursing home.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When we finally arrived at her room, there were pictures all over the wall of her and her husband on their wedding day.  She was so young.  So beautiful, and full of life.  Now she's 96, widowed, and unable to trust anyone.  She's convinced that everyone is trying to drug her and steal her money and her dentures.  She has one book that she takes with her everywhere but can't see the words to read it anymore.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I don't want to get old.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-9137819958699690846?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/9137819958699690846/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=9137819958699690846&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/9137819958699690846'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/9137819958699690846'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2010/03/stop-time.html' title='Stop time'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08126379960578268315</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uARHZm5JnTc/Suz9PiD3DOI/AAAAAAAAAAM/mChgvaMKqRM/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-4716564889124171997</id><published>2010-02-17T10:48:00.000-05:00</published><updated>2010-02-17T10:49:15.485-05:00</updated><title type='text'>Break!</title><content type='html'>So, I've got 4 days off and no idea what to do with all that time.  :)&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-4716564889124171997?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/4716564889124171997/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=4716564889124171997&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/4716564889124171997'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/4716564889124171997'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2010/02/break.html' title='Break!'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08126379960578268315</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uARHZm5JnTc/Suz9PiD3DOI/AAAAAAAAAAM/mChgvaMKqRM/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-3623491288972360250</id><published>2010-02-11T19:49:00.005-05:00</published><updated>2010-02-12T22:08:26.420-05:00</updated><title type='text'>My First.</title><content type='html'>It's a little past 3am when the tones go off.  I know its for us, since we're the only crew still at base.  It came over as a sick call, priority 1 hot.  Off we go.  Okay, I can do this.  Should be simple enough, right?  I hope.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We find the address in the map book, figure out where we're headed, and off we go.  Less than a minute goes by when dispatch comes over the radio to tell us that our sick call has turned into a cardiac arrest.  What if we have to use the AED?  One pad on the upper right chest area... Remember to connect the electrodes... What if the patient has a hairy chest and I have to use that little razor?  What does it look like when someone actually gets shocked?  Now I'm getting nervous!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We arrive in less than 4 minutes.  Fire is already on scene.  (Can I just ask... how in the world does fire &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;always&lt;/span&gt; beat us to the scene?!?)  I grab the AED, jump kit, suction and oxygen bag as my partner gets the stretcher.  I finally look up at the house to notice there are about 8 steps leading to the front door.  Okay, stretcher is staying outside.  At least it's not raining.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As soon as the door opens I hear... "Analyzing rhythm.  Stand clear."  Oh dear.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;There is a narrow flight of stairs leading to an already over-crowded bedroom.  My mind is already trying to figure out how we're going to get this patient out.  The fact that there was a stair lift that cut the stairway in half was going to make things harder.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"No shock advised.  Begin CPR."  Oh dear.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;By this time I have made it to the bedroom to find a ghostly pale woman lying in bed.  As the nearby firefighter gave his first compression, dark red (almost brown) gritty looking fluid came spewing out of her mouth.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"Let's get her off the bed."  My first words!  The 2 other fire guys rushed over and helped move her limp body to the floor.  (Why is it that dead weight really does feel heavier??)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Out of nowhere a medic showed up.  As soon as he got a feel for what was going on, he started calling the shots.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"I need suction.  I can't see a thing."  The patient had a massive upper GI bleed.  I had not experienced the sight or smell of that before.  It wasn't pleasant.  My partner took over compressions from the firefighter.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We're gonna need a backboard...  Got it.  As the patient is being loaded onto the board and the medic tries to intubate her, I talk to the husband and get as much information as I can.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I gotta say, whenever fire is on scene there's not much left for us EMS folk to do.  It's like they're all so eager to do something, get some hands on, that they jump at the opportunity.  Even if its holding c-spine, doing compressions or lifting and carrying.  &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Thank you.&lt;/span&gt;  :)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The husband of 38 years told me that just ten minutes ago he was talking to his wife.  She had been sick all day, vomiting.  Vomiting blood.  "We thought it was the flu."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The patient had MS for the past 6 years, and rarely got out of the house, let alone her bed.  She was all there in her mind, her body just wouldn't cooperate.  She loved cats.  She had five of them.  There were feces and fur caked onto the bed posts.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"I should have called earlier.  But we didn't want to be a bother.  We just thought it was the flu."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Somehow fire managed to maneuver the patient down the stairs around the corner and out the door.  My partner yelled for me to grab our equipment.  So I did.  I get back and they're in the ambulance.  "Suction!"  I'm on it.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The stuff coming out of the patient's mouth looked like coffee grounds and blood.  The medic still couldn't get anything other than an OPA in.  He tried to start a line, but that was unsuccessful as well.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As I head up front I find the husband sitting in the passengers seat.  The window is down and there is a firefighter standing beside the door.  Both are silent.  As I get in I can feel the ambulance rock ever so slightly with each compression.  I almost feel bad breaking the silence to talk to dispatch and let them know where we're headed.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;After what seemed like eternity of me sitting in the drivers seat, just itching to be in the back doing compressions and suctioning, the medic finally says that he's ready to go.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"Get me there yesterday and go easy on the bumps."  I had yet to drive lights and sirens with a patient in the back.  I know every bump we feel up front is exagerated many times over in the back, so I'm not quite sure how to drive fast and yet make it a "smooth" ride.  (My driver training consisted of parallel parking a 12 passenger van, driving it around some cones, and backing it into a parking space... haha)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I thought about trying to make conversation with the husband, but nothing seemed important enough to talk about at that point.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;At the hospital fire practically had the doors open and the patient out before I even put the ambulance in park.  I asked my partner if she needed me to take over compressions but she declined as she hopped onto the side rail of the stretcher and rode it in.  Hmm, that looks fun.  Though knowing me I'd hurt myself.  ;)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I gave my report to the doctor as fire moved the patient onto the bed.  Four minutes later he called it.  Everyone stopped what they were doing.  The husband was just standing by the door.  No expression on his face.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As I was walking back to the rig the lady's husband came up to me.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"I should have called earlier.  I was just talking with her ten minutes before you showed up... We thought it was the flu.  We didn't want to be a bother."&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-3623491288972360250?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/3623491288972360250/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=3623491288972360250&amp;isPopup=true' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/3623491288972360250'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/3623491288972360250'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2010/02/cardiac-arrest.html' title='My First.'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08126379960578268315</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uARHZm5JnTc/Suz9PiD3DOI/AAAAAAAAAAM/mChgvaMKqRM/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-1657829868215820304</id><published>2010-01-23T00:04:00.003-05:00</published><updated>2010-01-23T00:46:16.663-05:00</updated><title type='text'>Books.</title><content type='html'>Over-worked and under-paid.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Tomorrow I do my first overnight.  Which happens to be a double as well.  It would have been a triple but thankfully I got someone to trade off one of my shifts.  I haven't purposefully pulled an all-nighter since sophomore year of college.  Ick!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Today we had a sweet little old lady of 93 years with severe dementia and a shattered pelvis.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The lady's husband (of 67 years) decided that the only way to get his wife from point a to point b was to pick her up by her shirt collar and drag her.  During the process he dropped her a few times.  Needless to say, that didn't work out in her favor.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When the husband arrived at the hospital behind the ambulance, he proceeded to drive around the parking lot.  When he finally made it inside and we asked what he was doing, he stated that he was "driving around trying to figure out where he parked his car."  He later forgot why he was even at the hospital.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Oh, and then I had my first ETOH patient.  That was fun.  :-)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And finally... I am in need of a good book to read.  Any suggestions?  All are welcome.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Stay safe out there!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-1657829868215820304?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/1657829868215820304/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=1657829868215820304&amp;isPopup=true' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/1657829868215820304'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/1657829868215820304'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2010/01/books.html' title='Books.'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08126379960578268315</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uARHZm5JnTc/Suz9PiD3DOI/AAAAAAAAAAM/mChgvaMKqRM/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-4390570922315313320</id><published>2010-01-21T20:54:00.010-05:00</published><updated>2010-01-23T00:04:29.412-05:00</updated><title type='text'>Well, that was interesting.</title><content type='html'>The address for the call came over the speaker at base. Being the new kid, I had no idea what was going on when everyone started laughing and telling me to have fun.  Clueless, I drove to scene priority 1 hot.  Fire is already there, so my partner and I join them in the tiny upstairs apartment.  As I make my way to the back room I walk in to find a 300lb Hispanic female lying on the plush carpeted floor.  With a large, and &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;very &lt;/span&gt;bright orange mohawk.  Okay.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I knelt down to my patient and asked her name.  When she said "Matthew Henry Steven James" in a small squeaky voice, a smile nearly escaped me.  Matthew's vitals were stable.  He stated that he was walking without his braces and tripped on his big feet.  He stumbled to the ground, and now had ten out of ten pain in his back, legs, neck and buttocks.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So, of course, we collared and back boarded Matthew - who had no trouble adjusting himself once we had him on the board.  Meanwhile, Matthews partner watched from the doorway.  Matthew's partner was a tall and skinny Caucasian male with a red beard and blond hair longer than my own.  Matthew's partner told me that his name was Suzie.  With a "z."  And a cane.  Because one leg was .25 inches longer than the other.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So, we've got a Hispanic female, 21 years old, who is in the process of becoming a man.  With an orange mohawk.  Who is on disability for "chronic finger pain, flat feet" (for which she has braces), among countless other things.  And then we have Matthew's partner, Suzie.  Who is in the beginning stages of her sex reassignment surgery as well.  And who, or should I say what, is paying for these surgeries?  Hmmm.....&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As we're in the back of the rig on the way to the hospital Matthew informs me that he is having trouble staying awake and that his pain is getting severely worse.  As he is telling me this he is trying to roll onto his side so he can get out his wallet.  He even attempts to undo the straps on his head so he can see out the window.  I go to patch into the ED and he somehow manages to pull a cell phone out of his bra and start texting.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;There's a group of nurses and docs waiting for us as we roll him into the ED.  As we walked by I could hear them laughing and talking about their past expereinces with my patient, who was too busy talking on his cell phone to notice.  Meanwhile I'm fumbling as I give my report to the RN, trying to figure out whether I should call my patient a he, as that was what he preferred, or a she, which was what was written on her paperwork.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Uhm... Seriously?&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-4390570922315313320?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/4390570922315313320/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=4390570922315313320&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/4390570922315313320'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/4390570922315313320'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2010/01/tax-paying-citizens.html' title='Well, that was interesting.'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08126379960578268315</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uARHZm5JnTc/Suz9PiD3DOI/AAAAAAAAAAM/mChgvaMKqRM/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-18845902467169046</id><published>2010-01-05T20:39:00.002-05:00</published><updated>2010-01-05T21:09:21.067-05:00</updated><title type='text'>What do you talk about?</title><content type='html'>We go to pick up our first patient of the day.  Being discharged from the local hospital after a little fall earlier this morning.  Ended up with a fractured wrist, but nothing that won't heal.  We get all our paperwork, look it over, ask a bunch of questions, and off we go.  The patient was very insistent that her husband and son were somewhere in the hospital and we couldn't leave without them.  Then her focus turned to locating her purse that she swore she brought with her.  Five minutes later the only thing she could think about was where she put her lipstick.  As we're driving she keeps asking us to pull over and turn around because she wants to go to her sister's house because that's where she lives.  It was an interesting drive.  Well, we arrive at the nursing home, bring her to her floor, and get her settled in her bed.  It was quite the ordeal.  Then on our way out the LPN decides to say, "You do know that she is a droplet risk, right?"  Uhm... no.  No, we did not know that.  The hospital did not divulge that information to us, as apparently it was too early in the morning for them and they didn't obtain all the paperwork &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;they&lt;/span&gt; needed when she came in to begin with.  TB... E. Coli in the sputum... Anyone?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The last patient I had today was great.  We walk in to pick her up and she tells us that it was about time we showed up since she'd been waiting three hours.  I look at my partner, who happens to be another newer kid, and I can see the brief look of panic on his face.  Until he looks back at our patient to find her laughing.  She kept coming up with witty remarks, and was just a hoot.  As we're pulling into the driveway at our destination I ask her about her Christmas and New Years.  She immediately started crying.  It was like as soon as the words escaped my lips the tears started flowing. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I'm never quite sure what to talk about with patients.  I know that families and holidays can be touchy subjects for people.  But you never know how they'll react, so do you just avoid them altogether? &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What do you talk about with your patients?&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-18845902467169046?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/18845902467169046/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=18845902467169046&amp;isPopup=true' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/18845902467169046'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/18845902467169046'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2010/01/what-do-you-talk-about.html' title='What do you talk about?'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08126379960578268315</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uARHZm5JnTc/Suz9PiD3DOI/AAAAAAAAAAM/mChgvaMKqRM/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-571809975916636842</id><published>2010-01-02T21:20:00.003-05:00</published><updated>2010-01-02T22:15:47.432-05:00</updated><title type='text'>In Remembrance</title><content type='html'>A retired firefighter with 27 dedicated years of service passed away today at 60 years of age.  He died peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones.  He was a committed friend, loving father, and devoted husband.  Surviving him are his two children, one grandchild, his wife, mother, and sister.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We all know that death is inevitable.  But that doesn't make it any easier.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We'll miss you.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-571809975916636842?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/571809975916636842/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=571809975916636842&amp;isPopup=true' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/571809975916636842'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/571809975916636842'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2010/01/in-rememberance.html' title='In Remembrance'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08126379960578268315</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uARHZm5JnTc/Suz9PiD3DOI/AAAAAAAAAAM/mChgvaMKqRM/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-2343258493269356065</id><published>2009-12-31T22:06:00.002-05:00</published><updated>2009-12-31T23:02:36.430-05:00</updated><title type='text'>Off we go!</title><content type='html'>As of December 19th I was officially cleared for the road... Yay!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Sometimes I surprise myself, and lately I've had a few of those sometimes.  I made it through the orientation, and more importantly, the two weeks of training.  It had its ups and downs, but I made it.  And after being cleared and on the road for two weeks... I &lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;love &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;my job.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I've been meaning to post more.  Really.  I keep trying to write about some of the things I've learned, some of the calls I've been on and the things I've seen.  But each time I sit down and face the blank screen, words escape me. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This job is not always easy.  But it sure doesn't get boring. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This year has been a whirlwind.  If you had asked me in January what I thought I'd be doing in 12 months, I would &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;never &lt;/span&gt;have thought I'd be where I am now.  And I wouldn't have it any other way.  I love what I'm doing and I can't wait to see what this new year will bring!  :)&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-2343258493269356065?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/2343258493269356065/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=2343258493269356065&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/2343258493269356065'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/2343258493269356065'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2009/12/off-we-go.html' title='Off we go!'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08126379960578268315</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uARHZm5JnTc/Suz9PiD3DOI/AAAAAAAAAAM/mChgvaMKqRM/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-5763321666545028080</id><published>2009-12-14T23:43:00.003-05:00</published><updated>2009-12-14T23:56:33.334-05:00</updated><title type='text'>Progress</title><content type='html'>Saturday marked my official half-way point in training with this new job.  A week of orientation dragged by, and then I had my first full week out on the road.  It's been interesting so far, a lot of ups and downs.  But I'm loving it.  I don't know how you all keep up with work, blogging, reading other people's blogs, twittering, etc etc.  I'm only doing 40 hours a week right now, but it feels like all I've been doing is driving, working, learning, studying maps, and more driving.  The main thing I have to work on is moving patients laterally.  I've got the strength, but somehow my technique is not quite right and I'm having a hard time.  I have yet to have any actual 9-1-1 calls.  :-\  So far I've had all transfers.  I guess I never realized just how much of those ambulance companies do.  Oh, and get this.  I cannot, for the life of me, back up or parallel park my own tiny car.  But give me a huge ambulance and I've got no problem.  How does that work?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I will write more later, I'm off two days this week so I should have time to get some of my thoughts together.  But I just wanted to write a short note to say that I am alive and things are moving along! &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Stay safe out there.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-5763321666545028080?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/5763321666545028080/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=5763321666545028080&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/5763321666545028080'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/5763321666545028080'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2009/12/progress.html' title='Progress'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08126379960578268315</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uARHZm5JnTc/Suz9PiD3DOI/AAAAAAAAAAM/mChgvaMKqRM/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-7074293665221996919</id><published>2009-11-24T23:20:00.007-05:00</published><updated>2009-11-25T00:14:01.171-05:00</updated><title type='text'>Closer</title><content type='html'>This past week I worked my last day at the bookstore, and I can honestly say I am glad to be out of there!  I also talked with someone from my EMT class who got hired by the same company as I did.  They started there a couple weeks ago, so I was asking them how things were going and such.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Unfortunately, what they had to say was not good.  Things about the company, the staff, the training, their policies...  Granted, everything that was shared with me was from this person's perspective.  So far &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;my &lt;/span&gt;interactions with this company have been pleasant (for the most part) and so I was a bit shocked to hear some of the things this person had to share.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Needless to say, I'm getting a bit more anxious about Monday morning.  But, alas.  What can you do?  I won't know anything for sure until I show up next week, go through my own orientation and training, and find out for myself.  And either way, I'm still beyond excited!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Until then, any pointers/tips or words of wisdom for the newbie?  :)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Also, I ended up getting a &lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;(pink)&lt;/span&gt; Littmann Classic II SE.  Someone decided to get it for me as a gift, which was an unexpected delight!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Oh, and as you can tell the blog has got a new look.  I got bored with the other layout.  We'll see how long this one will last.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-7074293665221996919?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/7074293665221996919/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=7074293665221996919&amp;isPopup=true' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/7074293665221996919'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/7074293665221996919'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2009/11/closer.html' title='Closer'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08126379960578268315</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uARHZm5JnTc/Suz9PiD3DOI/AAAAAAAAAAM/mChgvaMKqRM/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-2713622705064408379</id><published>2009-11-11T21:26:00.005-05:00</published><updated>2009-11-13T10:41:53.754-05:00</updated><title type='text'>I got a job!!</title><content type='html'>Yupp.  November 30th...  The first day of my new job!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I'm excited.  And nervous.  But, definitely excited.   :)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I'll finally be a full-time EMT working with a good ambulance company.  Yeah!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And I'll be sure to write more substantial posts in the coming weeks.  Stay tuned.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Oh, and if you haven't heard about or checked out the Chronicles of EMS, you can go &lt;a href="http://999medic.com/"&gt;here&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://happymedic.com/"&gt;here&lt;/a&gt; or &lt;a href="http://setlafilms.com/ems-pilot"&gt;here&lt;/a&gt;.  What they're doing is awesome.  (Be sure to follow them on twitter and &lt;a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Happy911and999Medic"&gt;youtube&lt;/a&gt; too!)&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-2713622705064408379?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/2713622705064408379/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=2713622705064408379&amp;isPopup=true' title='4 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/2713622705064408379'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/2713622705064408379'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2009/11/november-30th.html' title='I got a job!!'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08126379960578268315</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uARHZm5JnTc/Suz9PiD3DOI/AAAAAAAAAAM/mChgvaMKqRM/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>4</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-5592187120769260727</id><published>2009-10-29T22:12:00.007-04:00</published><updated>2009-10-29T23:02:06.965-04:00</updated><title type='text'>Stethoscope?</title><content type='html'>Okay, so I know I asked this in one of my very first posts, but I wanted to ask one more time before I go ahead and buy something.  I am (finally!) going to be getting a stethoscope [one that doesn't fall apart when you look at it] and want to know what kind you suggest?  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Littmann Classic II SE is what some people said so far.  But then I've had a few people who work in EMS swear by the Littmann Cardiology III because of the acoustics.  And, finally, someone mentioned &lt;a href="http://ultrascopes.com/new/about/"&gt;Ultrascope&lt;/a&gt; as being a good one too.   &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Have you tried or do you use either of these?&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-5592187120769260727?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/5592187120769260727/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=5592187120769260727&amp;isPopup=true' title='5 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/5592187120769260727'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/5592187120769260727'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2009/10/stethoscope.html' title='Stethoscope?'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZ0hN3SebDg/SnHKVCPiLBI/AAAAAAAAAAM/COifWx6nLYw/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>5</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-2591290318931987270</id><published>2009-10-26T17:09:00.002-04:00</published><updated>2009-10-26T17:12:10.300-04:00</updated><title type='text'>Why you do...</title><content type='html'>...what you do.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What made you want to get into the field you are in today?&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-2591290318931987270?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/2591290318931987270/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=2591290318931987270&amp;isPopup=true' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/2591290318931987270'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/2591290318931987270'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2009/10/why-you-do.html' title='Why you do...'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZ0hN3SebDg/SnHKVCPiLBI/AAAAAAAAAAM/COifWx6nLYw/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-3121479325875289168</id><published>2009-10-20T14:23:00.002-04:00</published><updated>2009-10-20T14:35:54.593-04:00</updated><title type='text'>Tuesday</title><content type='html'>I apologize (again) for the lack of posts recently.  Just been busy with work and filling out applications, trying to get a job in the world of EMS. In fact, I just got off the phone and have my first interview on Tuesday the 27th!  Though now I'm super nervous. I've had interviews before, but this one is bigger. More important.  Any tips or words of wisdom?  :-)&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-3121479325875289168?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/3121479325875289168/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=3121479325875289168&amp;isPopup=true' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/3121479325875289168'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/3121479325875289168'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2009/10/tuesday.html' title='Tuesday'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZ0hN3SebDg/SnHKVCPiLBI/AAAAAAAAAAM/COifWx6nLYw/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-3034744843605699387</id><published>2009-10-02T00:17:00.003-04:00</published><updated>2009-10-02T00:17:59.639-04:00</updated><title type='text'>The Results Are In</title><content type='html'>And... I'm a certified EMT!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;YEAH!!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-3034744843605699387?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/3034744843605699387/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=3034744843605699387&amp;isPopup=true' title='8 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/3034744843605699387'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/3034744843605699387'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2009/10/results-are-in.html' title='The Results Are In'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZ0hN3SebDg/SnHKVCPiLBI/AAAAAAAAAAM/COifWx6nLYw/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>8</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-4265661600019071101</id><published>2009-09-30T21:20:00.002-04:00</published><updated>2009-09-30T21:56:28.103-04:00</updated><title type='text'>Dust Collector</title><content type='html'>So originally the call comes in as groin pain.  We arrive at the apartment complex on the third floor and his son answers the door.  He leads us through a maze of narrow hallways lined with boxes of long forgotten items now blanketed in a thick layer of dust.  As we got closer to the bedroom the smell got stronger.  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;According to the son, his father (age 76) had fallen on the way to the bathroom three days earlier, and now the pain was to the point that he could not get out of bed.  As it turns out his father was in so much pain that we couldn't get his heart rate and blood pressure without him wincing.  Poor fellow was in such pain, and we had no choice but to use a sheet carry and a wheel chair until we could reach the stretcher three floors down.  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;On the way to the hospital I was able to get the man talking, and I even got a chuckle out of him a time or two.  Now, here's where I've got some trouble.  His son said his father had fallen three days ago, and had only not been able to get out of bed that day because of the pain.  But when we were walking down the hallway the smell was obvious.  And when we lifted the father off his bed, the stench honestly made me want to vomit.  There was no doubt that the man had been laying in that bed, soaked through with his own urine (and such things), for at least a week.  And there were three other people in that apartment the entire time, who could have called for help earlier, who could have changed the man's sheets and clothes, who could have done something.  Anything.  Ugh!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So, questions.&lt;br /&gt;Have you encountered situations like that, in which neglect is obvious?&lt;br /&gt;What is your reaction?&lt;br /&gt;I have heard that you should keep a little jar of Vicks Vapor Rub with you, does it actually help with the smells?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Anywho, I am still awaiting my test results.  I hate waiting!  But, hopefully tomorrow will be the day.  :)&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-4265661600019071101?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/4265661600019071101/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=4265661600019071101&amp;isPopup=true' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/4265661600019071101'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/4265661600019071101'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2009/09/dust-collector.html' title='Dust Collector'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZ0hN3SebDg/SnHKVCPiLBI/AAAAAAAAAAM/COifWx6nLYw/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-8389340844264408036</id><published>2009-09-25T23:01:00.002-04:00</published><updated>2009-09-25T23:03:14.987-04:00</updated><title type='text'>Getting Closer...</title><content type='html'>Sorry for the lack of posting lately.  Been busy working and studying.  Tomorrow is my final FINAL exam - state practicals.  I'm feeling pretty good about it.  Pretty soon I may actually be the "East-Coast EMT"!!  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I hope you are all doing well, and enjoying your weekend.  :-)&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-8389340844264408036?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/8389340844264408036/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=8389340844264408036&amp;isPopup=true' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/8389340844264408036'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/8389340844264408036'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2009/09/getting-closer.html' title='Getting Closer...'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZ0hN3SebDg/SnHKVCPiLBI/AAAAAAAAAAM/COifWx6nLYw/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-3677434409352070464</id><published>2009-09-03T21:22:00.006-04:00</published><updated>2009-10-30T23:24:39.060-04:00</updated><title type='text'>It's never enough</title><content type='html'>So,  I have decided that when I have kids and they decide they want a pet one day, I’m going to stick with a goldfish or something along those lines, that can be easily replaced without their knowledge.  ;-)  Because let me tell you, no matter how expected it is, it’s still hard losing a puppy after 14 years.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;On another note.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What can you really do when someone has lost their desire to live? I am definitely not one for giving up. Though I can't help but think that if it were me in certain situations, I wouldn't want to live either.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Which brings me to another thing.  This past week I had a transfer, 74 year old female going from dialysis back to a nursing home.  She had undergone open heart surgery three days earlier but her vitals were stable.  After I took her pulse and blood pressure she grabbed onto my arm and closed her eyes.  I asked if she was feeling alright, but was answered with silence.  A moment or two later she started to speak.  At first it was just a whisper and I had to strain to hear her over the noisy ambulance.  She told me how she wished that the doctors had let her die in surgery when she started bleeding.  She said she had no reason to live, no family to visit her, no friends left to talk with.  More than anything, she said she wanted to be rid of this world.  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I wanted to assure her that life was worth living, that her life had worth and value, that people cared for her.  But all I could do was hold her hand and give her a smile.  The only words I could manage were “I’m sorry.”  To which she replied, “Once you hit a certain age, there’s no point anymore.  Don’t go getting old.”  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Four minutes later we reached the nursing home, and she started crying.  She begged us not to take her back inside.  As soon as we walked in the door of the facility it was obvious why she didn’t want to be there.  You couldn’t pay me to stay there.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What do you say to a patient in that type of situation?  &lt;br /&gt;How do you act?&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-3677434409352070464?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/3677434409352070464/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=3677434409352070464&amp;isPopup=true' title='3 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/3677434409352070464'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/3677434409352070464'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2009/09/its-never-enough.html' title='It&apos;s never enough'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZ0hN3SebDg/SnHKVCPiLBI/AAAAAAAAAAM/COifWx6nLYw/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>3</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-6666755143556631015</id><published>2009-08-31T23:44:00.002-04:00</published><updated>2009-08-31T23:47:12.228-04:00</updated><title type='text'>Update</title><content type='html'>Just a quick note to say...  I passed!!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I aced my exam and practicals, and couldn't be more excited.  :-)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Now I'll be taking my written and practical state exams within the next two to three weeks, and then I'll be official!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-6666755143556631015?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/6666755143556631015/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=6666755143556631015&amp;isPopup=true' title='5 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/6666755143556631015'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/6666755143556631015'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2009/08/update.html' title='Update'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZ0hN3SebDg/SnHKVCPiLBI/AAAAAAAAAAM/COifWx6nLYw/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>5</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-1728946668339420343</id><published>2009-08-26T12:01:00.009-04:00</published><updated>2009-08-31T01:03:17.811-04:00</updated><title type='text'>Texting While Driving</title><content type='html'>Anyone seen this already?  My grandparents in the UK sent this along to me.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;object width="370" height="205"&gt;&lt;param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YnHvgzXOwNU&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0"&gt;&lt;/param&gt;&lt;param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"&gt;&lt;/param&gt;&lt;param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"&gt;&lt;/param&gt;&lt;embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YnHvgzXOwNU&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"&gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;/object&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Thoughts...?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Okay, back to some last minute studying.  I've got my written final tonight!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-1728946668339420343?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/1728946668339420343/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=1728946668339420343&amp;isPopup=true' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/1728946668339420343'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/1728946668339420343'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2009/08/texting-while-driving.html' title='Texting While Driving'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZ0hN3SebDg/SnHKVCPiLBI/AAAAAAAAAAM/COifWx6nLYw/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-7892541434782354512</id><published>2009-08-19T00:33:00.000-04:00</published><updated>2009-08-19T00:45:24.065-04:00</updated><title type='text'>I'm Alive!</title><content type='html'>No need to worry, I'm still here.  Ha!  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;My apologies for not posting in... uhm, 20 days?!  I have written and rewritten things here and there that I meant to post, but a lot of the time nothing seems good enough to put on here.  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Things have been crazy here.  Stressful might be a better word, though an understatement.  My classes finish next Saturday.  The 26th is actually my written final, and on the 29th we are being tested on all the practicals.  Then I move on to take my state exam.  And so, all I do is study study study!  I'm thinking about and reciting this stuff in my sleep.  Quite literally.  (And loving it!)  Though I need to stop over-thinking things so much because it's just messing me up.  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Any tips for a nervous student?!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I guess sleep would be a good thing.  Once in a while.  ;-)&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-7892541434782354512?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/7892541434782354512/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=7892541434782354512&amp;isPopup=true' title='4 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/7892541434782354512'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/7892541434782354512'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2009/08/im-alive.html' title='I&apos;m Alive!'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZ0hN3SebDg/SnHKVCPiLBI/AAAAAAAAAAM/COifWx6nLYw/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>4</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-4935108389903674915</id><published>2009-07-30T22:04:00.003-04:00</published><updated>2009-07-30T23:56:42.704-04:00</updated><title type='text'>Three Minutes Out</title><content type='html'>So my time in the ED started off at a crawl.  Did lots of urine samples and &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"&gt;EKGs&lt;/span&gt;.  Three hours in and (finally!) there is a code 1 three minutes out.  My brain tunes out everything else that was said.  I sort of went blank.  I knew that if CPR was in progress or needed I would be called upon.  I was fine with that, just a bit nervous seeing as how I had only ever practiced on a limb-less plastic dummy. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;There are two &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"&gt;EMTs&lt;/span&gt; and two Paramedics wheeling the patient in.  One of them is riding on the side performing chest compressions.  The patient is an 83 year old male who was found &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"&gt;pulseless&lt;/span&gt; and &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"&gt;apneic&lt;/span&gt; by his daughter.  He had been that way for at least 4 minutes when the medics arrived.  By the time he was rushed into the red pod he had been &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"&gt;intubated&lt;/span&gt; and had vomit dripping down the sides of his face.  With each breath his stomach kept filling with air. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Within ten seconds that vacant room filled with 15 people, 1 patient, and myself.  It was sudden chaos, and I was being called to the opposite side of the stretcher to take over compressions.  I weaved my way over, dodged a few flailing arms, and stepped up onto the stool.  Adrenaline took over and I found myself with my hands on the &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"&gt;patient's&lt;/span&gt; sternum doing my first real chest compressions.  It was nothing like I expected.  Although, I'm not quite sure what I was&lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;expecting in the first place. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Meanwhile, doctors were shouting orders at nurses and asking the medics question after question.  Three minutes go by and the nursing student takes my place.  Before I even have time to try and figure out where I should stand the medic at the &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"&gt;patient's&lt;/span&gt; head asks me to take over bagging.  Lucky for me there was a little yellow light that blinked every six seconds, prompting me to squeeze the bag.  Two minutes go by.  The head doctor stops compressions, checks again for a pulse, and says to continue with &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"&gt;cpr&lt;/span&gt;.  It's my turn.  I got out just in time.  Not twenty seconds later does the patient vomit and it sprays everywhere.  Specifically onto the face of the medic (not wearing proper &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"&gt;BSI&lt;/span&gt;!) who took over bagging. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Another two minutes, compressions are stopped.  A weak femoral pulse is felt.  It is short lived.  Compressions begin again.  This goes on for twenty three minutes.  Finally the patient has regained a pulse, at least for a short time, and the doctors kick us out to do their thing.  Whatever that might be.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I don't know what happened to the man.  His daughter had disappeared when EMS arrived on scene, and she never showed at the hospital. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;That was 24 days ago.  I can still picture every detail about the man's face, and I remember all the tattoos he had on his chest and arms.  And sometimes I find myself wondering who he was, what kind of life he lived, how he ended up exposed on a backboard with a tube down his throat and me pounding on his chest.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So, that was exciting.  I wish I knew the outcome, but I suppose that's just the way it goes sometimes.  Time to return to my studies.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-4935108389903674915?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/4935108389903674915/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=4935108389903674915&amp;isPopup=true' title='4 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/4935108389903674915'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/4935108389903674915'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2009/07/three-minutes-out.html' title='Three Minutes Out'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZ0hN3SebDg/SnHKVCPiLBI/AAAAAAAAAAM/COifWx6nLYw/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>4</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-4983326105435329259</id><published>2009-07-29T23:09:00.001-04:00</published><updated>2009-07-30T16:07:59.325-04:00</updated><title type='text'>Third time's the charm</title><content type='html'>Today I get home from class, check my email, and find that I got my first comment.  Yay!  It gets better.  Turns out it is from &lt;a href="http://medicblog999.wordpress.com/"&gt;Medic999&lt;/a&gt;, and he has also given me a shout out on his page.  :)  I'm honored!  So, thank you to Medic999 and everyone else who has already taken a look here and left comments.  I know it's a small thing, but it sure means a lot.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I feel like I don't have much to write about on here just yet, seeing as how I am just beginning.  But I am most definitely excited!  I do know, however, that I have many questions.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Today I met with someone at the local volunteer ambulance company and finally got the ball rolling.  I am looking forward to getting involved and gaining as much experience as I can.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Oh!  And today I spent most of my morning and afternoon holding C-spine on &lt;a href="http://www.laerdal.com/document.asp?subnodeid=7595233"&gt;Resusci Anne&lt;/a&gt; while the other class of EMT-B students took their final and did their practicals.  Okay, so it wasn't quite as exciting as skydiving, or anything of the sorts, but at least I was able to get a feel for what the final will be like.  And this Saturday I will be volunteering to be a 'victim' for the day as students take their NREMT, so that will give me even more of an idea of what to expect, at least for one station.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Other than that I'm just studying, working and house-sitting this week.  And I think I have found a more subdued (somewhat!) layout.  I am having the hardest time finding one that I like and that is not too flashy.  And not being all that tech-savvy, this is quite a challenge!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Are you an EMT, Paramedic, or other health care professional?&lt;br /&gt;Do you remember what/who your first call/patient was?&lt;br /&gt;Just curious.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-4983326105435329259?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/4983326105435329259/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=4983326105435329259&amp;isPopup=true' title='3 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/4983326105435329259'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/4983326105435329259'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2009/07/third-time-charm.html' title='Third time&amp;#39;s the charm'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZ0hN3SebDg/SnHKVCPiLBI/AAAAAAAAAAM/COifWx6nLYw/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>3</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-2768999806172649072</id><published>2009-07-28T21:15:00.001-04:00</published><updated>2009-08-01T20:28:37.811-04:00</updated><title type='text'>One Down</title><content type='html'>I completed my first ride time this past weekend.  Nothing too exciting in ten hours.  First we had an 81 y/o woman who had chest pain upon exertion.  Though it first came in as a psych call.  Hmm.  Then we had a man in his late fifties who had just had a seizure.  He was postictal when we got there, and relatively combative.  The ativan seemed to calm him down a bit, but it didn't kick in until we reached the ED.  So, that was my night, along with hours of sitting and waiting.  I now know to bring a book next time, though I'm hoping for a few more calls.  I'm going back this weekend, so we'll see.  I'm looking forward to it.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We are studying geriatrics this week in class.  Oh, the things we have to look forward to as we age.  Next weekend we are doing extrication, which I am really looking forward to.  And tomorrow, kinematics.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What kind of stethoscope do you use?  Is there one that you prefer over another?&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-2768999806172649072?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/2768999806172649072/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=2768999806172649072&amp;isPopup=true' title='4 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/2768999806172649072'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/2768999806172649072'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2009/07/one-down_28.html' title='One Down'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZ0hN3SebDg/SnHKVCPiLBI/AAAAAAAAAAM/COifWx6nLYw/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>4</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471726210509022359.post-1000780336632526013</id><published>2009-07-28T20:17:00.000-04:00</published><updated>2009-07-30T12:38:29.491-04:00</updated><title type='text'>A Fresh Start</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Today is a new day, and with it has come a new perspective.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Though, I wish I could write about more meaningful things.&lt;br /&gt;Instead of a few words here and there and probably too many youtube videos to waste time with.&lt;br /&gt;But I don't have the words.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I used to.&lt;br /&gt;In high school I was a big writer, and I was good at it if I do say so myself.&lt;br /&gt;But that was a long time ago.&lt;br /&gt;And something happened between then and now.&lt;br /&gt;A lot of things.&lt;br /&gt;And the words don't come anymore.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But, here's to trying, right?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Other people put it so much better, though.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;"Cause everything inside of me looks like&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Everything I hate&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;You are the hope I have for change&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;You are the only chance I'll take"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;-Switchfoot&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471726210509022359-1000780336632526013?l=eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/feeds/1000780336632526013/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6471726210509022359&amp;postID=1000780336632526013&amp;isPopup=true' title='3 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/1000780336632526013'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471726210509022359/posts/default/1000780336632526013'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://eastcoast-emt.blogspot.com/2009/07/fresh-start.html' title='A Fresh Start'/><author><name>Elisabeth</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='32' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rZ0hN3SebDg/SnHKVCPiLBI/AAAAAAAAAAM/COifWx6nLYw/S220/star+of+life+100206+a.jpg'/></author><thr:total>3</thr:total></entry></feed>
