Confessions Of An Ems Newbie

[audio:26_MoreConference.mp3] (55:54) We talk some more about things Ron learned at the Texas EMS conference. He asks, “Doesn’t anyone know how to take a BP?” Find out what Ron’s favorite condition is, and everything you wanted to know about it. We also discuss drawing blood on the ambulance and how hospitals feel about it. And … Continue reading Ep 26 More Conference →

[audio:25_TexasEMSConf2010.mp3] (34:28) One day in and we are both already tired. We talk about the different classes and workshops Ron went to, including Kelly’s PediALS workshop. Learning all about tourniquets and hemostatic (clotting) agents including recommendations for what works, and a history of tourniquet use from Larry Torrey’s “All bleeding stops eventually”. Why do we … Continue reading Ep 25 Live from Texas EMS Conference 2010 →

[audio:24_CricAndFoley.mp3] (55:38) This week we talk about Folly catheters and how it is different on a real woman than the mannequin. Also about getting the smell out of your nose. Ron had a big extrication day where he learn all about cricotomy, alternative airways, digital intubation and blind nasaul intubation. In pharmacology we learned about … Continue reading Ep 24 – Crics and Foley Catheters →

[audio:23_GreyCloudsAndAmiodarone.mp3] (53:00) Is Ron still a white cloud if he visited both level 1 trauma centers in one ambulance shift? Find out about Halloween in the hood. Cardiac drugs, new ACLS guidelines and the Noah’s Ark drug. Video laryngoscope and a description of your vocal cords that a fireman can remember. Learn what kind of … Continue reading Ep 23 Grey Clouds and Amiodarone →

[audio:22_IntubationBaby.mp3] (59:47) Maybe we should have called it “everything you wanted to know about intubation but were afraid to ask”. Kelly is the Jedi Master and Ron started intubation this week. Had lots of questions to ask Kelly, so this is a long one. Here’s some of the questions asked. Blade Preference: Miler/Mac Pedi Bougie … Continue reading Ep 22 Intubation Baby →

[audio:SP2_MarkGlencorseInterview.mp3] (50:51) In this special episode Ron interviews UK paramedic Mark Glencorse, aka UKMedic999. He tries to ask everything you ever wanted to know about EMS – or Ambulance Service – in the UK but were afraid to ask. How are medic’s trained? What are the levels of medic? How does medical direction work? Is … Continue reading SP 02 The Mark Glencorse Interview →

[audio:21_StableRhythm.mp3] (35:08) This week Ron experiences his first dead patient and CPR on them. We talk about capnography, and symptomatic bradycardia. Newbie asks about clearing C-spine and moving the head to a neutral position. And Kelly tells how to give informed consent to spinal immobilization. We also answer a number of listener questions. Mentions: Mediccast … Continue reading Ep 21 A Stable Rhythm →

[audio:20_MaintainControl.mp3] (38:52) Is the scene safe, Kelly? This week Ron and Kelly talk about maintaining your own pulse when dealing with a crazy call, what’s the reason to give pain meds, and the difference between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. You’ll learn a new way to remember what part the parasympathetic system has on … Continue reading Ep 20 Maintaining Control →

[audio:19_Pigs.mp3] (43:24) This week we talk about giving narcan, should you give nitro before or after getting an IV. Can an IV of Lactate’s Ringer cure a hangover? We talk about doing patient assessment the same way every time and and getting your reports done quickly. Can an experienced paramedic get a pulse without a … Continue reading Ep 19 Thank God For Pigs →

[audio:18_BusyBusy.mp3] (31:43) It’s been a crazy week for the newbie. 3 tests, first IV lab and first hospital clinical. We talk all about those tests, the ones that made him feel like a starfish and the ones that made him feel like Hank Arron. Kelly gives some tips on IVs and we answer a number … Continue reading Ep 18 Busy Busy →

[audio:SP1_DrBledsoeInterview.mp3] (53:17) This is a special episode where the EMS Newbie, Ron Davis, interviews Dr Bryan Bledsoe. As Kelly puts it, Dr. Bledsoe is a rock star in EMS. He speaks at numerous EMS conferences, teaches Emergency Medicine at the UNLV Medical School, and literally wrote the book on Paramedic Care. The 5 volume set … Continue reading SP01 Interview Dr Bryan Bledsoe →

[audio:17_NeedToPee.mp3] (50:49) This week we talk about learning the 12 Cranial Nerves, in depth patient assessment, keeping fluids and drugs at the right temperature in the ambulance. Kelly tells you the secrets of peeing on long transports, both for the patient and the paramedic. Since Ron is learning IVs next week we talk about dealing … Continue reading Ep 17 What If They Need To Pee →

[audio:16_ShootingFaceOff.mp3] (29:43) This week we talk about an EMS guide to suicide, and how to start an tube on someone without a face. Ron’s finally offical, having passed his National Registry test and be certified by Texas as and EMT. From class we talk about taking a patient history from a hypoglycemic diabetic is a … Continue reading Ep 16 – Shooting Your Face Off →

[audio:15_Agenda_Drugs.mp3] (41:16) In this episode Kelly and Ron talk about the 1996 EMS Agenda for the Future, EMS 2.0, the community paramedic. Studying for the NREMT and learning to learn after 18 years out of school. Narcotic tracking and security. Hypothermal treatment and the Morgan Lens. Mentioned: Study Hacks blog How to Become a Straight-A … Continue reading Ep 15 Agenda for the Future and Drugs →

[audio:14_BeginPSchool.mp3] (29:43) This week we talk about how many EMS schools there are in Texas and how many of them are accredited. Ron started the Lone Star College North Harris two year paramedic program, which is accredited, this week. We talk a lot about that program and how it is structured. Ron asked the head … Continue reading Ep 14 Beginning Paramedic School →

[audio:13_BestOfBasic.mp3] (53:40) Special best of episode. Ron was off on Vacation between Basic and starting P-school, so our audio wizard Marc put together this best of episode. Some of the funniest, most touching and most practical stuff. New to the show and want to know what it is like? This is the episode to listen … Continue reading Ep 13 The Best of Basic →

[audio:12_Finally.mp3] (29:43) Ron goes through his final skills tests and the Final Exam. In the process almost failed out on traction splint. Kelly tells us how to auscultate a fracture. We discuss “Getting Your Patch” and what comes next. Registering with the State. Registering with National Registry. Waiting for my school work to be certified … Continue reading Ep 12 Finally →

[audio:11_PatientAssFail.mp3] (43:43) Learn how Ron failed and then passed Patient Assessment Medical and how that could be a good thing. Ron also retook his CPR for heathcare provider this weekend, find out why and how that’s important to the newbie. It is coming down to the final week of class and Ron could be an … Continue reading Ep 11 – Patient Assessment Failure →

[audio:10_Babies.mp3] (42:41) This week Ron covered behavioral Emergencies and started talking about delivering babies in class. How many do you think Kelly has delivered? Find out on this episode. Ron also passed my Patient Assessment Trauma skill on Wednesday and will attempt Patient Assessment Medical on Monday. So he asks Kelly for tips on doing … Continue reading Ep 10 I Don’t Know Nothing Bout Birth’n No Babies →

[audio:09_IAmAWhiteCloud.mp3] (43:05) Show Notes This week we talk about Ron’s super power, being a white cloud. Another ambulance shift with almost no calls again. We talk about 24 hour shifts and last minute calls. Lots of questions answered in this episode as well. Is a Basic just a paramedic assistant? National and State EMS organizations, … Continue reading Ep 9 I Am A White Cloud →