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testing a feature

on September 14, 2008

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Hi, It's me in the future, testing a new feature for the blog.

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Chronicles of EMS Caption Contest

All right all you twitter folk, I heard your call for the contest and I'm stepping up. We're having ourselves a little caption contest. Mr Setla, my producer, and ninja trainer, over at the Chronicles of EMS posted some teaser photos of a brand new series in the works called Chronicles of EMS: A Seat at the Table. This new web series is an exciting project we're working on to open up the dialogue in our profession in a way that's never been done before. As a result, we've been testing and experimenting with topics, light and film and this photo is a screen shot of one of those tests. So you're wondering what I'm saying? Let's hear it. Caption this photo. CONTEST RULES You can comment as many times as you like and offer as many entries as you like. All entries must be here at the Happy Medic blog in the comments of this post. I am the judge and will choose the one that makes me the happiest. Entries must be made before 10 PM pacific time Februa

You Make the Call - Document THIS

Ah, you all have gotten used to not having a weekly challenge, so let's get back to basics. How about the different ways to describe skin? Instead of being crazy like some of my lab proctors in college finding the most exotic and disgusting photos, I'll send along one of my own. I know I have already turned a few stomachs with the photos of my burns, but that was about pain control and had to be done to make a point. There is no point in this. Unless of course, you have no idea how to describe this wound in writing. Yes, that was a challenge. You may ask questions as to specifics not clear in the photo, but having the wrist and hand in the picture gives all the info you need for size, color and location. I have been known to add a little of my college education to a PCR narrative or two, but only when sure. So when I awoke this morning with the following mark on my forearm and my daughter asked what it was I told her and she wrinkled her face. So my question to you is, how

Paramedic who let altered Paul Tarashuck go finally fired

Finally. But not for the reasons you may think. More on that shortly. I say finally because this is pretty straight forward, what with the body camera footage and all. You heard MC and I discuss this case on WYE Radio back in March. LISTEN HERE to get up to speed. For those of you who skipped the link here's the basics: 26 year old Paul Tarashuck is found naked on top of a big rig on the side of the highway. PD calls for EMS who completely ignores the obvious signs of illness (we know this because there is cringe worthy body camera footage from PD) and let's him go. PD then takes him outside their district and drop him off at a closed gas station. Paul is later struck and killed on the highway. Paul deserved so much better than he got, we all agree on that, but is there a solution to prevent this from happening again? Yes, nip this in the bud and hold those responsible to account. That process has finally started. Our episode was titled "Nakedness an

Rescuers stand by while man drowns?

No. Local agencies responded to an event they were untrained for . I'm sure most of my readers have been in a pool before. I'd go a touch farther and say that more have been in a lake or river. A good bit even took a few swims in the ocean. Does that make you a rescue swimmer? I went skiing when I was a kid and in college. Got pretty good at it too. I can now serve as Ski Patrol. As a Scout I learned how to tie knots and repel. I am now a high angle rescuer. Let's change the headline: "Ambulance crew stand nearby while man dies in fire." They don't have the equipment or training to deal with the situation, let's blame THEM. Or how about: "TSA agents do nothing as armed gang robs bank near airport." Again, no training, no equipment. So why are so many so fast to jump in and say they would have gotten in the water and made the rescue in Alameda? Likely because most of them have never been in the waters this event occured in. This kind of

Get it out now

I have decided too many in this field use the phrase "You call, we haul, that's all." So I have declared that today, January 22, 2010 is the last day we are allowed to say that, unless you have a side job in the refuse industry or possibly driving a tow truck. Your new slogan is "You hurt, we flirt. You lyin', someone might be dyin'." It is not against the law, nor outside of your responsibilities to inform persons when their injuries or illnesses are untreatable by you and your staff. Nor is it against the law or outside your responsibilities to tell the truth when they ask if they should have called you. I have been known to remind clients that a baby could be choking nearby but they will die because their paramedic resource is here putting your swollen wrist in a towel from your kitchen and frozen vegetables from your freezer while all your college buddies watch from the couch. "I didn't know what to do so I called you guys, is that wrong?&q

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