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Confessions of an EMS Newbie

Confessions of an EMS Newbie is a weekly podcast for beginning EMS providers. As Ron goes through paramedic school he’ll sit down and discuss what he’s learning with experienced Paramedic and writer Kelly Grayson. Anyone new to being an EMT will enjoy getting the strait scoop and accurate information from someone who has been there over and over. Ron’s perspective as knowing next to nothing means we’ll keep it understandable and practical.

Latest Episodes:

mjsMovie — **Ep 5 – First Hospital Clinical** Jul 07, 2010
Show notes

[audio:05_FirstHospitalClinical.mp3] (53:18)

This week we talk about Ron’s first hospital clinical. His fears going in and some of the cool stuff he got to do. We also talk about the fact a 12 line EKG has 10 lines. How Ron got blood on his gloves, but Kelly didn’t like his BSI. And what paramedics do in the ER and why nurses don’t like it.

If you are new to EMS and EKGs, Kelly will tell you about the modified scrotal lead. You’ll also learn the GMFYOYO radio call.

Lastly every new EMT wants cool gear with him all the time. Find out what Kelly carries in his truck.

We answer a listener question from Timothy in Seattle about how to be the best you can be.

Mentions
Mother, Juggs, and Speed

Too Old To Work, Too Young To Retire

The Thomas ALS Pack

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nasalcannula-thumb — **Ep 4 – Airways and Reports** Jun 30, 2010
Show notes

[audio:04_AirwaysAndReports.mp3] (1:05:24)
This week we cover Airways and Reports on Confessions of an EMS Newbie. Ron’s class is doing skills labs in securing a patient to a backboard, airway management, oxygen and we discuss them all.

Some of Ron’s questions include, “Do paramedics use OPAs and NPAs? Or is intubation just the silver hammer of airways?”

Then we move onto writing reports, which Ron will have to do for his clinicals and he’s paranoid about. Kelly answers the question, “How do you remember everything that happens on a call for the report?”

We have a couple of listener questions. Katie asks how to make the most of a EMS ride along and Kelly’s answers will help anyone who is preparing to work on an ambulance, whether a ride along, for clinicals, or as the new guy on the truck.

And did you wonder what happen to the guy from the chicken gut truck? We’ll find out today.

In the book section we’ll talk about a very airway related story and what it is like to be sued as a paramedic.

In gear we talk EMS Pocket guides and how they can improve your reports.
**Gear:**
iPhone Apps:
NREMT Paramedic Medications pocket guide
Epocrates
EMS Field Guide

**Vocabulary in this episode:**
CHF – congestive hear failure

Nasal canulla

BVM – Bag Value Mask

Non-rebreather mask

Link for explanation and pictures of oxygen masks.
Backboard

**Mentioned**
EMS Garage – C-spine episode

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sa706 — **Ep 4 – Airways and Reports** Jun 30, 2010
Show notes

[audio:04_AirwaysAndReports.mp3] (1:05:24)
This week we cover Airways and Reports on Confessions of an EMS Newbie. Ron’s class is doing skills labs in securing a patient to a backboard, airway management, oxygen and we discuss them all.

Some of Ron’s questions include, “Do paramedics use OPAs and NPAs? Or is intubation just the silver hammer of airways?”

Then we move onto writing reports, which Ron will have to do for his clinicals and he’s paranoid about. Kelly answers the question, “How do you remember everything that happens on a call for the report?”

We have a couple of listener questions. Katie asks how to make the most of a EMS ride along and Kelly’s answers will help anyone who is preparing to work on an ambulance, whether a ride along, for clinicals, or as the new guy on the truck.

And did you wonder what happen to the guy from the chicken gut truck? We’ll find out today.

In the book section we’ll talk about a very airway related story and what it is like to be sued as a paramedic.

In gear we talk EMS Pocket guides and how they can improve your reports.
**Gear:**
iPhone Apps:
NREMT Paramedic Medications pocket guide
Epocrates
EMS Field Guide

**Vocabulary in this episode:**
CHF – congestive hear failure

Nasal canulla

BVM – Bag Value Mask

Non-rebreather mask

Link for explanation and pictures of oxygen masks.
Backboard

**Mentioned**
EMS Garage – C-spine episode

Download MP3

Ep 3 – DNR, Palpation and Medical Control Jun 22, 2010

Show notes

[audio:03_DNRPalpationMedicalControl.mp3] (39:18)

This week we talk about Ron’s first test and getting his shots finished up. Kelly gives some insight into what the National Registry test questions are like as well.

Then we go into taking vitals and Kelly gives a really great tip on palpating a pulse. We talk about medical control. How Kelly contacts them and when he does.

In the gear section we discuss blood pressure cuffs. And from he book and class we talk about DNRs and how Kelly deals with that one family member who wants you to do the resuscitation anyway.

Update:

There is a DNR Bracelet in Texas as well.
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The Pen Light Ron ordered.

Ep 2 – Sex And EMT Pants Jun 15, 2010

Show notes

[audio:02_Sex_and_EMT_Pants.mp3] (48:35)
This is episode 2 of Confessions of an EMS Newbie where we talk about Love, Sex, Relationships, and the EMT as well as Anatomy, Physiology, and those cool EMT Pants. The show begins with a discussion of Ron getting ready for clinicals and the trials of getting all his shots. We learn how Kelly does 200 mile, one way critical care transports, and why Hurricane Katrina is to blame.

Through number of comments Ron gets the idea is is easier to get laid in EMS. Kelly gives him the real scoop. And while EMS may get you married, it is hard being married to someone else in medicine and it hard being married to someone outside of it. Ron is already beginning to see a separation where he doesn’t want to tell his wife stories from EMS to protect her.

Talking from his book, Kelly explains how ambulances are staged, or positioned and what an ambulance station is like. And don’t get him started on System Status Management, but Ron did.

In the gear you really need, it is time for Ron to get his uniform, so we talk boots and pants. Do EMT’s really use those cool trauma shear straps? What is the biggest give away of a sparky new EMT? And what is in Kelly’s pockets?

Mentioned:
Lucy Hornstein, Declarations of a Dinosaur: 10 Laws I’ve Learned as a Family Doctor

Boot makers: Magnum, High Tech, Bates, and Rocky.
Kelly’s review of Magnum boots

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Ep 1 – Newbie EMT Fears Jun 10, 2010

Show notes

[audio:01_EMT_Newbie_Fears.mp3] (49:05)
Our first episode, recorded the morning before Ron’s first EMT-Basic class. We talk about the fears he has before he ever gets started and Kelly – his Jedi master paramedic – calms those fears with ease.

Those fears are:
#1 I’ll have too weak a stomach to be an EMT.
#2 I’m not emotionally strong enough for it.
#3 I won’t be smart enough.

Other things we cover:
What are good and bad motivations for becoming an EMT? Stories including chicken and horse guts. We get Kelly’s opinion on CISM and the calls that haunt him. As well as how he think you should for studying for class.

Every episode we will also talk about Kelly’s book. This week you’ll learn everything about it and some of the hardcore paramedic stuff the editors thought to dangerous to include.

Lastly we start our section on the Gear a Newbie Really needs. Kelly brings it down to 3 things

A Pen
A Watch
A Stethoscope

Mentioned:
Ron’s Photography site and podcast, Photographer And Model
Kelly’s book En Route

Correction
Ron’s class is actually 12 weeks long and also has 2 5 hour extrication labs.

Definitions:
Critical Care Paramedic – Primarily deals with high acuity patient transfer.
Acuity – from acute; how sick the patient is. The higher the acuity the worst sick they are.
CISM – Critical Incident Stress Management.

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