How much medical training do you have?

frankrc said:
Paramedic with BLS Instructor, ACLS, PALS and PHTLS. Flanker consider coming to California, USA. There is a huge RN shortage. Starting pay depending on the area is $60,000.00 to $70,000.00 US with signing bonuses.
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Mmmmmmmm... California! The climate would be nice. Pollution, earthquakes and crime-rate wouldn't be. I make the same money now but the prices and taxes are generally higher here than in the US. Don't complain over your gasoline prices - Last time I filled up with diesel I paid around $10.50 per gallon ($2.70 per litre) and I live in a contry that's swimming in oil!

But then again the standard of living is higher here, we have public and free healthcare for everybody, the economy is stable, there's no national deficit, all schools (incl. college) are pretty much free,crime rates are low (we have unarmed police, can you believe that?) +++

So thanks for the offer, but I'll take my cozy desk-job here in Norway and see if I can't visit California on holiday sometime :D I have been thinking about doing a 6-month tour with the army in A-Stan as a nurse, just to fill up the bank account. But with a wife and two kids the risk just isn't worth it...
 
California isn't LA.

Pollution is VERY regional, and the crime rates, while dropping overall, are also centered in some areas you'd probably not choose to live.

San Diego, anywhere on the coast north of Santa Barbara, Only things i'd avoid are parts of the San francisco Bay Area, Central Sacramento, and the LA sprawl.

You have to realize that California has more CULTIVATED land than Scotland has land by a large factor, that going from north to south in the state is like driving from spain to denmark.

Now, i'm not suggesting moving, as such, but there's a huge misconception of What California Is by a lot of people (including people who live here and never travel from Crescent City to Coronado)- it's Freaking Huge, and has the environmental regions and population to be a very diverse nation all by itself. There are places in the state where I wouldn't answer my door without video security cameras and someone else in the house- but where I live I don't even carry house keys and I've never been bothered for a sheath knife on the hip.

(Note, FWIW, I'd rather live in Scandinavia in a lot of ways once again.)
 
You're absolutly right... When someone says California I automatically think LA and San Francisco, as do most Europeans I believe. I know it's a huge and diverse state, with a population 8 times bigger and a land area slightly larger than Norway's. And they have "The Governator" :cool:

Going to the US for an extended holiday, renting a big-ass, classic american car and drive around has been a dream for years. I hope to do it before I get old.
 
guitardemon said:
protourist,
Here is some a list I have from one of my classes that I thought was a good list.


If you don't know what something is on the list, or know how to use it properly, don't put it in your first aid kit. Something important to remember is that there is no perfect first aid kit. Also ultimately you aren't going to save someones life by having the best first aid kit, but rather the knowledge to help.
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Thanks, I copied that and will add what I don't already have if needed. Thanks for the info!!!:thumbup:
 
Formed EMT-I in NY state for 4 yrs work both volly and paid. Could do IVs and intubation also had basic trauma life support classes twice, and cpr like 5 times in a real short time. also took advanced critical life support.
 
BTW, I have at times been on the scene with items that I didn't have the experience for but the nurse that was already helping was sure glad I had them available to her.
So I do keep a kit that is better than my ability because there are a lot of medical experts that don't carry a kit. Better to have it and not need it...
 
alco141 said:
enough for 4-5 people.

alex
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Is that even possible? I was under the impression that one could always learn more. Regardless of my med training, I feel there is always something more I could learn. There is no capacity too great for one IMHO...
 
had industrial first aid (here in BC it Level 2) don't remember any of it, but when it comes to massive arterial bleeds i reign supreme! (its beacuse i work with chainsaws at high angles, and also with another crew.....chainsaw injuries are BRUTAL!
 
I have CPR w/AED and CLS training. I think I could handle most situations just fine. I am pretty resourceful.
 
one of the best piecs of kit i have on my tree harness (for chainsaw injuries) and in the city )knife and GSW) is the 6" "emergency bandage" trauma wound dressing.

Anyone can use it, wether they have training or not.

MP1084_lg.jpg
 
I was combat life-saver qualified a long time ago. I'm not sure what that would equate to in the civilian world, and I've probably forgotten most of it. I'd like to go through a course like that again, to refresh.
 
I have first aid and cpr certifications that are required of me as a scout leader.
I also had the wonderful opportunity to get some wilderness first aid instruction last year... great stuff on hypothermia, heat stroke, immobilizing injuries, and assessment.
 
dougo83 said:
Is that even possible? I was under the impression that one could always learn more. Regardless of my med training, I feel there is always something more I could learn. There is no capacity too great for one IMHO...
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i have been surgeon for 28 years, there are no procedures that i have not done and taught, i have taught atls, acls, taught residents in multiple specialties. i have done prehospital care, disaster planning on a local and regional level, i have extensive experience in trauma care, neuro, prenetrating, blunt types. the limitations i have are related to the availability of equipment to work with.

alex
 
I use to be and EMT-I in Vegas also was a NHA BLS instructor. The pay was not great and unless you are working there is no need to go above EMT-B. You cannot use any skills higher unless you are under the direction of a medical director. The $10 an hour was not cutting it and Medics started off at $13. Paramedic school is also hard to get into in Vegas if you are are not working for an Ambulance Provider or the Fire Dept. It was a fun job but not a very livable wage. Fire Dept is where you make more money but when ever i tested there were 50-100 jobs with over 3000 testing. So i got frustrated and got into construction where i know make a lot more money. It really is sad the wages they pay EMTs.
 
Those are also the same thing as the "Israeli Battle Dressing" (IBD), but with a less threatening name for the sheeple.

I used to think they were a gimmick until I took a class where they were a core part of the kit and treatment. Now I'm a believer. They're incredibly versatile and you can apply to yourself one-handed for most injuries.

My entire kit consists of:

  • (1) Israeli Battle Dressing (IBD) - 6 inch version
  • (1) Nasopharyngeal airway (size 30 French to fit me)
  • (1) Needle Catheter (#14)
  • (3) Pieces of nylon first aid tape wrapped around the whole thing

Bushman5 said:
one of the best piecs of kit i have on my tree harness (for chainsaw injuries) and in the city )knife and GSW) is the 6" "emergency bandage" trauma wound dressing.

Anyone can use it, wether they have training or not.

MP1084_lg.jpg
Click to expand...
 
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