There’s a secret behind this job. You go to work. You run the calls: the boring, the exciting, the obnoxious, the weird. Occasionally, the terrible. You see, you do, you move on. Like everythin...
The Internet is a wonderful educational resource. I hope this doesn’t come as a surprise to anybody, but it’s good to be reminded. As little as 20 years ago, it simply wasn’t possible to...
https://emsbasics.com/2015/02/28/either-lead-learn-or-please-stop-talking/
Although we like to talk around here about exciting topics like shock and airway management, the reality is that for many EMS providers — particularly at the BLS level — a large part of this...
https://emsbasics.com/2014/08/07/the-long-term-care-ombudsman-advocates-on-call/
I admit that I’m a sucker for a good quote. Truth be told, medicine is exactly the type of enterprise that needs quotes. It’s a basically noble endeavor that’s nevertheless rife with the...
Who was Harry Watts? You probably haven’t heard of him, unless you’re English — like he was — and you lived in the 19th century — like he did. That’s because he was nobody special. He...
https://emsbasics.com/2014/03/19/those-who-save-lives-harry-watts/
Anybody who’s spent time in medicine (and it doesn’t take long, because nowadays this is often covered in initial training) has heard two contradictory lessons: Good caregivers must demonstra...
Mostly, people get into healthcare because they want to help people. And there’s no bigger and better way to help than saving lives. Of course, that’s not really a cool thing to talk about, a...
https://emsbasics.com/2014/02/18/those-who-save-lives-the-royal-humane-society/
Most regular folks don’t realize it, but an ambulance company is basically a dating service. I can’t speak for the fire department, which is pretty dude-heavy in most places, plus you ride ar...
https://emsbasics.com/2014/02/10/love-in-the-time-of-melena/
Of all the skills we’re called upon to wield without adequate training, care for psychiatric complaints tops the list. In particular, it’s a rare shift when you don’t handle a person —...
https://emsbasics.com/2013/06/12/glass-houses-suicide-in-both-seats/
This isn’t a criticism, Harry! But you do… sort of… I mean — don’t you think you’ve got a bit of a — a — saving people thing? Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, JK Rowling...