AmBewLance

On January 22 2010 16:50 ilovezil wrote:
I approve of this message.

I've taken a seminar in emergency protocol before for a community before as well. It's amazing how these people can deal with the various situations dealt by people who need it, and the ones that need it usually don't know that the people helping them are human too; it's as if the general populace thinks 911 is some magical all-knowing helping agent.

Like if you're residing in a 200 room hotel and just call 911 about a lung puncture and hang up, how do you expect the people to find you?

It all made me realize that emergency personnel really do more than the public thinks, to deal with everyday situations that are usually a one time stressing situation for us.

EDIT: Okay, my example was bad because if you're calling about a lung puncture, you're probably going to die, but take it with a grain of salt.

On January 22 2010 16:59 iMarshall wrote:
I'm sure the practice in your county is quite different from my country, but are you working in an ambulance as a volunteer without any training at all? I know you said you are taking a state recognized EMT course, but what did they teach you prior to volunteering? Trying to help others is of course a great thing, but without proper medical training I would never feel comfortable giving emergency medical care to someone, and I'm in medical school... Maybe I've misunderstood your post, though.

On January 22 2010 16:59 iMarshall wrote:
I'm sure the practice in your county is quite different from my country, but are you working in an ambulance as a volunteer without any training at all? I know you said you are taking a state recognized EMT course, but what did they teach you prior to volunteering? Trying to help others is of course a great thing, but without proper medical training I would never feel comfortable giving emergency medical care to someone, and I'm in medical school... Maybe I've misunderstood your post, though.

On January 22 2010 17:19 Lokomis wrote:
Maryland eh? I'm a dispatcher for a local alarm company in So. MD. The position kind of boils down to being a glorified file clerk but it still gives me a good feeling despite it being a paid position. We probably don't account for many of your calls since the majority of our services are Burg. and Fire Alarm installation/monitoring but we do occasionally set up systems with those medical necklaces/keyfobs.

Big props on the volunteer work. Prior to working here I worked with this guy Chris at one of the Taco Bell stores. I don't know when the man slept or how he did it but when he wasn't there or with his family he was always with the local volunteer fire department. I have a great amount of respect for people such as him & yourself who would put aside their own free time to help others at a time they most need it.

On all your calls & ventures, Godspeed!

On January 22 2010 17:17 Snet wrote:


I'm glad you asked. You must take and pass a CPR course, as well as a "pre-basic" course in order to run on an ambulance as a Crew Member. Each ambulance ordinarily is made up of a Driver, Primary Care (aka EMT or Paramedic), and 1-2 Crew Members.

Crew Members, like myself, basically preform the duties of an EMT, but only under the direct supervision of a certified EMT or Paramedic. (We are trained to use every instrument on the ambulance, such as backboards, stretchers, immobilization equipment, etc.) It is all government, and state regulated.

There will always be someone with proper training to administer whatever care is necessary for your survival.

On January 22 2010 16:54 EvilTeletubby wrote:
Oh wow, you live in MD?

On January 22 2010 17:25 iMarshall wrote:


Okay, thanks for clearing this up. In Norway, it's quite different, and that's why I asked. To be allowed to work on an ambulance, you need to get certification by the government as an EMT-worker. To get this, you need to have it as your high-school major, where the first two (of three years) will be general health subjects, and the last year full-time EMT-training, followed by a two year "internship" on an ambulance. In the less populated areas of Norway, you might be able to get a job as an EMT-assistant, but again, it's required that you take (and pass) a lot of courses, as it's also a paid position (though less paid).

Anyways, I wish you good luck in your work, and I hope it continues to give you that amazing feeling of helping others in need. Keep up the good work!