FF-PHRN

All the property of the pt goes back to them. We have no rules to keep anything other than illegal stuff. A pt that is awake\alert or a family member gets the helmet speech. A helmet has a one time use. Technically, if a helmet is even dropped, it is no longer of any use as the integrity of the outer shell may be compromised. That also applies to minor scratches. The inner foam is compressed in even a minor accident making it also compromised. I give the helmet back also for the reason that they may want it. I am an avid biker and have several old helmets hanging in my garage. Garage art is what I call it. (yes, I am strange!) And....if I pull a car door off in an extrication, after the pt is out, the car door goes with, or in the car. All the pieces of the vehicle goes with it when it is towed away. Thats my experience Legz.

Anybody remeber the IO that you had to twist and push in "until you feel the pop". Yikes!! The EZ IO goes in like buttah!

Good idea. Another approach is to flat out ask the medics what info they want or need after you give them report. Gets right to the point. They will appreciate it also.

To answer your question, I'll tell you I can't answer your question. What education do they have or what do they understand. It will vary greatly. I have taken many patients from various facilities. You can be giving me report and see me as the local fireman just riding the ambulance, what the heck would I know about lab values and such. So, am I a 15yr ER\Flight RN, or new paramedic fresh out of school. You won't know. It sounds like the reports you are giving are fine. Too much information is certainly better than not enough. Your bases are covered.

Give report just like you would to a nurse. Some medics are high speed and some are not. I have been surprised at how they can be both ends of the spectrum, just like some nurses I have dealt with. I have been on an ambulance and had a nurses talk down to me like I am some sort of EMT basic. That is a mistake. It is also unprofessional. Don't underestimate and your report will be just fine. Hopefully, if the medic doesn't understand something you give in report they will ask, but you are covered in having given a complete report.

Is the patio enclosed or ventilated at all? Or are we talking outside all together? Do you take the pt to the patio and let them smoke alone coming back to take them in when they are done? Can you give a description of the process you go through to allow the residents to smoke.

Twelve of my fifteen years as an RN have been in the ED. I left a flight job to get back in the ER. It is an addiction. I missed the chaos and the drama you don't get anywhere else. Sometimes getting to help people who are really sick is nice too. Sounds kinda sick and twisted when you write it. Maybe one of the psych nurses here can give me another diagnosis to go along with my ADD I didn't know I had;) I know several other nurses leave and come back after a short time. Do I love it? I don't know, but I know thats where I am at my best and I think we should be where we do the best with our individual talents.

Yup, happens on occassion. If thats what they are comfortable with, I have no problem getting a female. I go as far as getting female nurses to do my foley\peri care stuff with the younger females. It just makes sense they would feel more comfortable. My elderly pts never seem to care. OB pts in school were 50\50, seriously. I am a 6'1 200lb athletic, militant looking dude. May have something to do with it. I've been told I don't look friendly. I am though, I promise.

I was just waiting to see the responses....figured it would be entertaining since you used the "g" word. PC stuff what it is these days. Anyway, don't overthink this, they are just scrubs. It not like they want all white or all pink or something ridiculous. You are the only one to see it this way. I wear blue with white top by choice, just not a big deal. Like what what was mentioned earlier, there are those really loving the old caps. I would have to draw the line there for sure. BTW, never been a fan of the Navy whites. Gotta respect the MOH though!

.......and all the guys are gonna wear ....um....what? I catch enough grief from the guys at the firehouse. I have heard every gaylord focker joke known to man. For the sake of the profession, can't we just let the nurse cap go away?

Now that looks like fun! How does one get into this? Maybe there should be a thread for this sort of thing

Please, don't shed any tears for me. I don't mind actually working for what I get out of life. I feel sorry for those affected by affirmative action.

Ok, I am gonna be a little clearer. I am a fulltime firefighter (the FF of FF-PHRN), I have multiple experiences of water rescues and as part of the boat crew\water rescue of my dept. You dont understand how this is quite the challenge and NOT something a local YMCA can teach. He is 6'3, 280lb, 6ft of 50degree water, he doesnt want to just walk back in. Cant just throw him a line or a life vest that they dont even have. He will need to be forced in. So..this is actually a very challenging scope of practice to achieve. BTW, We average 15 calls\day, no ping pong, but alot of training though, sleep whenever possible and situations ,as you stated, that are much worse than this. Thats kinda like saying nurses sit around the nurses station eating donuts. However, I agree this is a policy issue. Were they supposed to break policy and lose their jobs and possibly their lives? They have local coast guard availabilty probably leading the FD cutting water rescue budget. My point is that this is tragic but there are no fingers to point for the inability to act here. The city council determines budget. Changing the policy, by that chief, was merely a political move until the FD is actually equipped.

The article stated they are going to retrain, re-equip, and allow land based water rescues at their discretion (the incident commander) As a nurse, I am not doing anything outside of my scope of practice much the same as this FD on scene. I do know that going into 50 degree water trying to pull an unpredictable 280lb 6'3 man that wants to die, without a wetsuit, safety ropes and other misc safety gear is gonna be a lose-lose. They clearly had none of that gear. I do put myself in harms way, risking bodily harm, but only with proper training and equipment. Its a calculated risk. Freelancers and cowboys don't do well in these situations and are highly discouraged. These rescuers were faced with something outside of their scope of practice, they weren't trained for and professionally forbid from doing. They calculated the risk and came up with the right answer that day. It was tragic, but for only one victim and not several. BTW, I didnt read anywhere that he was 50yds out with tide only, no currents. I don't think that would change anything though.

Any suicide is tragic if they are crying for help or just ready to end it. The article doesn't state anything about basic decency slipping away so I am assuming you are thinking the basic decency of those who were present is slipping away? This is your addition to the article, correct? I believe this has nothing to do with decency. It appears to me to be rescuers and bystanders using basic common sense. Common sense tells me this is a bad situation they were not prepared for and unable to respond to. Did they want to? I have no doubt they did. Firemen are alot like nurses in that they WANT to help people. That is the draw to the job. Kamikazee missions are not part of the job.