Medication Mistakes and Demotions

wwi medic by dunechaser flickr

A few days ago, EMS1 reported that a Tennessee paramedic had been demoted for administering an incorrect medication to a patient. I have mixed feelings about this and I'd like to know your … [Read more...]

What Are K2 and Spice Anyway?

Spice Drug Via Wikipedea

Chances are, you've probably heard about the new trend in synthetic cannabis products either from your local news media or from your ongoing EMS education. Over the past few years, these products have … [Read more...]

The Protocol / Skill Breakthrough

emts by delgrosso flickr

Once you understand the protocol / skill connection you might come to see a host of problems with the way we develop, use and teach our protocols. I'd like to tell you about two biggies. As we … [Read more...]

Lessons I Learned From My First Cardiac Arrest

red-crecent-emts-bethleham-by-scottmontreal-flickr

It strange to think that it's been almost 20 years since the first time I did CPR. I still remember it so vividly. How the time flies. I was fortunate to have good mentors and teachers in my early … [Read more...]

What Is The Good Samaritan Law?

good-samaritan-by-ewanm-flickr

The term "Good Samaritan" comes from the gospel of Luke. In the parable told by Christ, a Samaritan helped a Jew who had been beaten and robbed. At the time, the Samaritans and Jews were mortal … [Read more...]

What Is The Duty To Act?

stained-glass-by-lawrence-op-flickr

This week I'd like to explore two related topics that tend to create a bunch of confusion - the duty to act and the good Samaritan law. If you want to see a room full of EMTs argue with each … [Read more...]

The Oklahoma State Trooper vs EMS Mess

troopervsparamedic_0509

This has gone on long enough and gotten big enough that I feel compelled to say something about it. By now I'm sure you've seen and heard all about the Oklahoma State Trooper / EMS roadside … [Read more...]

What Is Nystagmus?

eye-movement-degrees

When we think of testing for nystagmus, medical personnel and lay people alike, we tend to think of the horizontal gaze nystagmus test performed by police officers as part of … [Read more...]

What Makes A Great Partner?

medic-lyons-by-medic-jay-flickr

Everyone has their own idea of what makes a shift a good shift. Each of us carries our own magic recipe. Perhaps a little trauma with a dash of cardiac thrown in. Add a choice rig from the fleet and a … [Read more...]

What Is Epinephrine?

epinephrine-by-the-rob-flickr

A quick inside tip on field instructors; we all have our favorite questions to ask new riders. Those questions that help us get a more firm understanding of where our students knowledge base rests. … [Read more...]