Shows
Confessions of an EMS Newbie83 Newbie JD Meyerdirk(23:49) Ron’s not going to be a paramedic in the near future so we are talking with some other newbies. JD Meyerdirk is getting ready to start paramedic school and we sit down with him to talk about it. We also talk about Kilted to Kick Cancer a lot. It starts September first and Kelly’s … Continue reading 83 Newbie JD Meyerdirk →2012-08-2923 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie82 NREMT-P(25:00) Despite many many failures, Ron has finally come to the end of his Paramedic training experience. This week he retook the skill he failed, and took his NREMT-P cognitive exam. Listen to find out the results. What I Did This Week On Saturday I went to the ALERT Academy in Big Sandy Texas and … Continue reading 82 NREMT-P →2012-06-2925 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie81 NREMT Skills Testing(34:56) Ron passed his oral boards but didn’t pass all of his skills. This week we talk about pediatric airways and prepping for the written exam. Also mentioned, doing drug math, paramedic test prep books and CPR HD. Mentions: MedicTests.com Listener Questions Matt asks: I will be graduating college this coming December with a bachelors … Continue reading 81 NREMT Skills Testing →2012-05-2134 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie80 Not So Done(22:48) Well I thought I was done, but it turns out I was living an illusion. What I Did This Week I did not pass my orals, as a matter of fact I failed them miserably. 12 Lead and ECG interpretation Drug Doses Hit the stress wall and flamed out during PALS. Failed PALS Doses … Continue reading 80 Not So Done →2012-04-1322 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieSP09 My Clinical Preceptor – Sarah Francis McClure(58:06) In this episode Ron talks with Licensed Paramedic Sarah Francis McClure his paramedic clinical internship preceptor about the time they spent together. Tell us a little about you and how you became a paramedic. What are your memories of your own clinical internship? How do they effect how you interact with students? You have … Continue reading SP09 My Clinical Preceptor – Sarah Francis McClure →2012-03-2600 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie79 Finished Paramedic School(46:21) For Ron paramedic school is over. Finished his clinicals including getting his vaginal birth, took his department’s oral board exam and 180 question final. Ron and Kelly noticed today that this podcast has become a lot less newbie friendly because he now understands all those terms he didn’t earlier in his school time, so … Continue reading 79 Finished Paramedic School →2012-03-2000 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie78 Plug The Holes(35:31) Ron finally had that call he was so worried about when he started EMT Basic all those years ago. He’s almost done with paramedic school, finishing up clinicals and classes over the next couple of weeks. What I Did This Week Assessment Based Management Learned from one of the instructors – stick by what … Continue reading 78 Plug The Holes →2012-03-0418 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie77 Breakdown(38:42) Ron has a bit of an emotional breakdown during a clinical this week and we talk about the effects of fatigue and how you handle not knowing what to do. Also how do you know when you are ready? What I Did This Week Assessment Based Management More scenarios and I’m wondering a little … Continue reading 77 Breakdown →2012-02-1638 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieSP08 – National Test Prep(26:25) This week the Newbie sets down with Joseph Storm of MedicTests.com and talks about preparing for the national registry EMT and Paramedic tests. Joe gives some really great tips on taking and passing the test. What are the most common questions about Incident Command? What is the most common acidosis question and answer? Listen … Continue reading SP08 – National Test Prep →2012-02-1226 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie76 Calling In Reports(32:01) Starting a new semester with testing. And doing medic things everyone does, but that he hasn’t learned yet. What I Did This Week Assessment Based Management Tested all our paramedic skills. The one that got the most people was Static Cardiology. I got all the rhythms, but mess-up 2 drug doses Also you have … Continue reading 76 Calling In Reports →2012-01-3132 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie75 Real Medic Stuff Now(45:44) We’re back from a long break and the Newbie has been busy. Ron started his clinical internship and have now done 4 24 hour shifts with one crew at the Harris County Emergency Corps. He’s learning a lot, here’s some of the thing Ron and Kelly talk about: How to use the IV cath … Continue reading 75 Real Medic Stuff Now →2012-01-1845 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie74 The Final Final(21:58) Ron goes through his final final and some skills testing. No more lectures, no more teacher’s dirty looks. What I Did This Week Clinicals Paper work. What a pain. Mentions: Bob Page on Stethoscopes Listener Questions I had originally planned to contact Kelly directly, but then realized his answer would probably be useful for … Continue reading 74 The Final Final →2011-12-1921 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie73 Environmental Emergencies(29:40) Ron has his last lecture of paramedic school and it is about Environmental Emergencies. What I Did This Week Medical Emergencies Environmental Emergencies Heat Cold Do you have a low temperature thermometer? We’ll see hypothermia in Houston because there are lots of ways to have it happen, but she said not going to see … Continue reading 73 Environmental Emergencies →2011-12-1229 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie72 Hematology and Burn Out(33:54) Blooooodddd, maybe this should have been the halloween episode. Ron learns about blood diseases. Its also scary how burned out everyone in class is getting at this point. Only 3 weeks to go. Ron gets his textbook changed. He also gets an EMS job, find out what’s scary about that on this week’s episode. … Continue reading 72 Hematology and Burn Out →2011-12-0533 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie71 2011 Texas EMS Conference(27:30) This week Ron and Kelly podcast live from the 2011 Texas EMS Conference. They discuss the different lectures and sessions they attended, which were good, which were packed so full of information it was tough to keep up and which left the brain as soon as the feet left the room. There’s talk of … Continue reading 71 2011 Texas EMS Conference →2011-11-2800 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie70 Toxicology and Abuse(42:15) Ron and Kelly talk about overdoses and antidotes, how to deal with calls that have signs of domestic abuse, and we hear that Ron’s white cloud, may be getting a bit more grey… What I Did This Week Medical Emergencies *What are typical overdoses?* Do you carry any antidotes? Warming activated charcoal? Carry ipecac … Continue reading 70 Toxicology and Abuse →2011-11-2142 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie69 NICU and Geriatrics(24:42) Ron and Kelly talk about the upcoming Texas EMS conference, Syncopal episodes in geriatric patients, the rainbow of newborns and why or why not there can be male L&D nurses. What I Did This Week Medical Emergencies Had a test. Don’t know what I made, but still improving. Special Populations Geriatrics What’s the most … Continue reading 69 NICU and Geriatrics →2011-11-1424 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie68 Kidneys and Geriatrics(42:07) This week we talk note taking technologies, nephronology, bio-chemistry, greek god’s wooden parts, and army medics. Kelly also points out lucrative markets for lawyers in EMS that might change it for the better. What I Did This Week Ron wwitched note taking and recording technologies. Livescribe to Evernote Medical Emergencies Nephronology 1% per year … Continue reading 68 Kidneys and Geriatrics →2011-11-0742 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie67 Gastro Intestinal Distress(44:59) Kelly has an abdominal complaint just for the show, so Ron tries not to make him laugh. What I Did This Week Medical Emergencies Gastric emergencies What’s the most common gastronomic complaint you see? Phergan vs Zofran What’s the most common missed gastro complaint? Kidney stones Special Populations Test and scenarios Clinicals Road with … Continue reading 67 Gastro Intestinal Distress →2011-11-0144 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie66 More Pediatrics(29:26) What I Did this week: Medical Emergencies Tests and scenarios Special Populations Dextrose IO? How do you recognize child abuse? Most common household substance for pediatric poisoning? Meningitis exposure. If you treat a patient you get treated? Cushing’s triad metaphor Bandaging the neck by running it under the arm Clinicals None but a volunteer … Continue reading 66 More Pediatrics →2011-10-2429 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie65 Defenses and Pediatrics(45:41) Lots of stuff on pediatrics and the body’s defenses. Let’s try a slightly different version of the show notes. Here’s my actual outline from the show. From last week’s episode Laryngospasm Article about post op laryngospasm and management 1. succacoline does stop laryngospasm 2. ultimately they used lidocaine and did a “bilateral superior laryngeal … Continue reading 65 Defenses and Pediatrics →2011-10-1700 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie64 Hormones(49:11) 2 tests two fails. Ron says, “The ICU scares me.” Kelly talks about how is GSW, first ICU patient, and first dead body transport were the same person. In Pediatric IO how do you hold the leg? In Newborn resuscitation, using the ET for suctioning, do you use a new tube each time you … Continue reading 64 Hormones →2011-10-1000 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieSP 07 Wilderness EMS(29:02) In Special Episode 7, Ron interviews Jeff Isaac from Wilderness Medical Associates. Ron and Jeff discuss how wilderness doesn’t necessarily mean deep in the back country or in a cave, how the definition has changed over the years, and why WEMT is useful for all EMT and Paramedic practitioners. Jeff is a physician assistant … Continue reading SP 07 Wilderness EMS →2011-10-0503 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie63 More Birth’n Babies(41:29) We’re talking birthing babies, vomit and poop this week. Ever seen a breech deliver? Heard the term “Macro peds”? The changing rules of suctioning meconium babies. Projectile vomiting and being covered in vomit. Kelly discusses laryngo-spasm. Mentions: Episode 10 – Don’t Know Nothing About Birth’n No Babies Black Box warning from FDA on Terbutaline … Continue reading 63 More Birth’n Babies →2011-09-2141 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie61 Live from Las Vegas (Audio)(37:17) The EMS Newbie Podcast live from Las Vegas at the 2011 EMS World expo. Thanks again to ProMed for bringing us to Las Vegas and doing a great job netcasting all the podcasts done from there. Now on to the kilted ones.2011-09-1500 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie62 EMSWorld Expo Recap(27:11) Ron missed the first week of school because off EMSWorld Expo, so the guys talk about what happen there. Answering questions like, “What’s the most memorable thing that happen to you at the expo?”, “See any cool gadgets at the show?” and “What’s it like to be kilted in Vegas?” Mentions: Ron’s Kilted to … Continue reading 62 EMSWorld Expo Recap →2011-09-1400 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie60 Licensed To Raise The Dead(25:57) Ron has his cardiology finals. Both the written, which was a third of my grade, and the practical which was 3% and got him his ACLS card. But it was 3% if you don’t pass, you don’t pass the course. Now he’s asking Kelly, is cardiology really that hard? Do you know when you … Continue reading 60 Licensed To Raise The Dead →2011-08-2600 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie59 12 Leads(36:47) Ron learned the basics of 12 leads finally. We also talk about equipment failure on scene, and changing stethoscopes. Listener Questions Newbie resource page. 3M Littmann 2632 Master Classic II Stethoscope Listener Questions Gary Stewart posted on Confessions of an EMS Newbie’s Wall. “Just received my card in the mail so now I’m looking … Continue reading 59 12 Leads →2011-08-1736 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie58 CHF(36:33) This week Ron studied CHF and asks “Why do they call it congestive heart failure?” He also had Exam III cardiology. He and Kelly discuss how traing for a code is different for nurses and paramedics. Last week we talked about how everyone shouldn’t get oxygen and Ron mentioned his medical director sent out … Continue reading 58 CHF →2011-08-1100 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie57 A Cute Syndrome(25:26) Stroke and Acute Coronary Syndrome were the ACLS topics of the week. Kelly talks about AHA’s sorid past with stroke, and Ron talks about medics that missed his father in law’s stroke. “Everyone gets Oxygen” Really? Kelly doesn’t think so. Nor does the AHA. Hey Nurses, what the mass of a grain? Doesn’t matter, … Continue reading 57 A Cute Syndrome →2011-08-0425 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie56 Cardiology Exam II(21:40) Ron took his second cardiology exam this week. Also learned about aberrant conductions rhythms, and practiced the pushing of adenosine. During listener questions you will learn two ways for paramedics to do 2 finger CPR. Mentions: Listener VinceD’s comment on Kelly’s comment on hypomagnesemia. PHTLS blanket extraction technique Listener Questions David ask if we … Continue reading 56 Cardiology Exam II →2011-07-2721 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie55 Ventricular Rhythms(36:05) Continuing on learning the language of the heart Kelly & Ron discuss Battlestar Galactica (the original series) as well as places further down the heart. Ventricular rhythms, the pulseless part of the algorithm (PEA), why to give drugs or epi first, when to use Edison therapy, or when it is time to all in … Continue reading 55 Ventricular Rhythms →2011-07-2036 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie54 Junctional Rhythms(42:27) Move’n on down the heart we get to the AV node and junctional rhythms this week. We also talk about the ACLS tachicardiac algorithm and stable vs non-stable patients. Also Kelly summarizes all the pediatric course like PALS in 30 seconds. Mentions: Six Second ECG Sex Relationships and the Cardiac Conduction System Taigman’s Advanced … Continue reading 54 Junctional Rhythms →2011-07-1300 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie53 Sinus Dysrhythmia(31:01) This week Ron learned about dysrhythmia – and wonders whether the interpreting of rhythms is an art or a science. Ron and Kelly discuss different methods of reading strips, whether or not Ron should have multiple sources for learning to read them, and the difference between ECG and EKG. Mentions Basic Arrhythmias by Gail … Continue reading 53 Sinus Dysrhythmia →2011-07-0631 minConfessions Of An EMS Newbie Podcast53 Sinus Dysrhythmia(31:01) This week Ron learned about dysrhythmia – and wonders whether the interpreting of rhythms is an art or a science. Ron and Kelly discuss different methods of reading strips, whether or not Ron should have multiple sources for learning to read them, and the difference between ECG and EKG. Mentions Basic Arrhythmias by Gail … Continue reading 53 Sinus Dysrhythmia →2011-07-0631 minConfessions Of An EMS Newbie Podcast53 Sinus Dysrhythmia(31:01) This week Ron learned about dysrhythmia – and wonders whether the interpreting of rhythms is an art or a science. Ron and Kelly discuss different methods of reading strips, whether or not Ron should have multiple sources for learning to read them, and the difference between ECG and EKG. Mentions Basic Arrhythmias by Gail … Continue reading 53 Sinus Dysrhythmia →2011-07-0631 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie52 Cardiac Monitors(29:01) This week the newbie learned how to break up, interpret, analyze, something EKG wave forms. We talk about the algorithm he learned and some tips from Kelly. And Kelly says he loves poo poo. Ron was also shown three cardiac monitors and we talk about the good and the bad of monitors. Mentions: Interpreting … Continue reading 52 Cardiac Monitors →2011-06-2900 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie51 Cardiac Anatomy(21:10) Ron talks about learning the electrical parts of the heart, as well as the different chambers, and the part of the heart that looks like a Bishop’s mitre hat. Kelly talks about why one needs the anatomy of the heart even though it isn’t used directly all that often. There is also discussion of … Continue reading 51 Cardiac Anatomy →2011-06-2221 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie50 Wii CPR(48:11) Ron started cardiology this week and they went back to basics CPR. For about 6 hours this week. He and Kelly discuss changes to CPR. We talk about the Phillips cardiac monitor “hockey puck” and the Zoll AED’s talking. Survivor Paramedic has Ron’s class down to 7 students, but we supplemented by 8 nursing … Continue reading 50 Wii CPR →2011-06-1500 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieSP 06 Paramedic Doctor Ryan Hodnick(22:40) Ever wonder what it is like to go from paramedic to doctor? Well in this episode you will find out. Ron interviews Dr Ryan Hodnick a resident in Emergency Medicine at UNLV medical school in Las Vegas. He answer’s Ron’s questions about why ER docs do things and what EMS can do to help … Continue reading SP 06 Paramedic Doctor Ryan Hodnick →2011-06-1000 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie49 Best of Paramedic Semester 2(48:42) It is the end of Ron’s second semester in Paramedic school, and time for another best of episode. Here are some of the best clips of the last few months. Get complete information on the The Confessions of an EMS Newbie Podcast.Subscribe or review on iTunes.2011-06-0148 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie48 Listener Questions(39:57) School is over and Ron has taken his EMT-I exam…but does not yet know the results. And so we devote an entire episode to listener questions! And don’t forget to write your entry into the… EMS Newbie EMSWorld Essay Contest Links to the other Podcast in which Ron is appearing: Ron: In the Rabbit … Continue reading 48 Listener Questions →2011-05-2500 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie47 Finals Again(29:10) It was finals week at the end of Ron’s first year of paramedic school. In this episode we go back do an overview of the classes he took and what we thought of them. EMS Newbie EMSWorld Essay Contest Listener Questions JulesThere is a tip offered at the end of the commentary on this … Continue reading 47 Finals Again →2011-05-1800 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie46 Almost Intermediate(29:00) More trauma skills testing, EMS Ops test, and a volunteer shift, for Ron this week. He also has some questions about how long it is before the new paramedic becomes the in-charge. Clinical internship – should you do it with your own service? Mentions: EMS Newbie EMSWorld Essay Contest Listener Questions Episode Post Listener … Continue reading 46 Almost Intermediate →2011-05-1129 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 45 Intermediate Testing And Crime Scenes(55:38) Ron is starting to think he’s on “Survivor: Paramedic School” as classmates seem to be leaving in droves. He took is National Registry EMT-I skills tests this week, listen to learn how he did. In EMS Operations he studied Crime Scenes and asks Kelly “How do you handle crime scenes? What about cases where … Continue reading Ep 45 Intermediate Testing And Crime Scenes →2011-05-0500 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 44 Abdominal Trauma(39:41) This week we talk about abdominal trauma, shock and weight, and Ron’s last EMS shift of the semester. We also answer a number of listener questions. Mentions: An article on Assessing the Abdomen by Kelly. The last episode where we talked about C-spine was Ep 41 Hartwell Vacum Mattress CDC Field Triage Decision Scheme … Continue reading Ep 44 Abdominal Trauma →2011-04-2700 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 43 Rescue(34:42) Kelly saves drowning woman! News at 11! And other great EMS rescue stories. Ron did some more scenarios and managed not to kill the patient this time, but most of his week was spent studying rescue in EMS Operations. Learn about the different kind of rescues Kelly has been a part of over the … Continue reading Ep 43 Rescue →2011-04-2000 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 42 Thorax(35:21) After obscure references to comedic science fiction, Kelly and Ron talk about Thoracic Trauma and answer some listener questions. Chest decompression, sucking chest wounds, and pericardialtamponade, oh yeah. Mentions: EMSWorld Newbie Essay Contest Listener Questions From Kevin T: Hello, I’m almost finished with my EMT-B class and I was wondering, when I finish the … Continue reading Ep 42 Thorax →2011-04-1335 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 41 Rescue and Big Events(45:33) Has it only been a week since our last episode? For Ron it seems like a month. Here everything you wanted to know about spinal immobi….oops I mean spinal motion restriction. Kelly will tell you how he really feels about strapping people to backboards. We also talk rural medicine. Get a cool tip on … Continue reading Ep 41 Rescue and Big Events →2011-04-0600 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 40 – HazMat(38:41) This week we talk about the time Kelly stripped down in class. Ron’s trauma test and scenario. Learn how chest decompression really works. Handling belligerent bystanders, and HazMat. After the Harris County HazMat team talked to Ron’s class, he learned how a thumb has been replaced with a pinkie. Kelly informs us of the … Continue reading Ep 40 – HazMat →2011-03-3000 minConfessions Of An EMS Newbie PodcastEp 40 – HazMat(38:41) This week we talk about the time Kelly stripped down in class. Ron’s trauma test and scenario. Learn how chest decompression really works. Handling belligerent bystanders, and HazMat. After the Harris County HazMat team talked to Ron’s class, he learned how a thumb has been replaced with a pinkie. Kelly informs us of the … Continue reading Ep 40 – HazMat →2011-03-3000 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieSP05 Organ Donation as a Career Path for Paramedics(55:55) While Ron is on Spring Break we bring you a special episode of the EMS Educast on Organ Procurement. The EMSEducast Episode. Mentions: Buck Feris – http://gomerville.com/ Greg Friese – connect at Blog.CentreLearn.com and EverydayEMSTips.com Rob Theriault – connect at Paramedic Tutor, EMS Connect and JEMSConnect Bill Toon – connect on Twitter, @wftoon and … Continue reading SP05 Organ Donation as a Career Path for Paramedics →2011-03-2355 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie39 Head Trauma(30:04) Ron did PHTLS this week and covered head trauma. We talk about the Hatchet manuver for intubation, the Parkland forumula, doing a Head to toe in the vehicle, and the Tickles test for pedi trauma. Listener Questions Elias – Our system received a grant from the state for a new AED/Cardiac Monitor and have … Continue reading 39 Head Trauma →2011-03-1600 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie38 Burns(38:54) This week we talk about burns, intubation, vassopressors infiltrating from peripheral IVs and much more. Kelly is calling in live from the road returning from EMS Today, and Ron is in some of his hospital pajamas pre-clinical. Remember all that discussion about what you should or would do if you were on scene for … Continue reading 38 Burns →2011-03-0900 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie37 Soft Tissues(46:32) You get a story from after the show last week about German paramedic Niels first Louisiana field delivery to start the show. Then we talk about Ron’s test and how he didn’t do as bad as he thought. Soft tissue injuries was the subject of the week. Kelly tells how to deal with crush … Continue reading 37 Soft Tissues →2011-03-0300 minConfessions of an EMS Newbie36 ABC or CAB(36:10) “Which will kill you faster? And which should you treat first?” Ron had his first test of the semester in trauma and we talk about a couple of questions that annoyed him. One involved and airway problem and a lacerated femoral artery. Was this a case of the book vs the street? Speaking of … Continue reading 36 ABC or CAB →2011-02-2300 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 35 Shock, Air Medical And NIMS(33:34) Trauma seems to come down to shock, and that’s what Ron has been focused on. So we talk shock and patient assessment. Everyone loves the helicopters. This week Ron also studied aeromedical and we talk about they can and can’t do. And lastly NIMS – the National Incident Management System. The course work of … Continue reading Ep 35 Shock, Air Medical And NIMS →2011-02-1600 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 34 – Blunt and Penetrating(1:00:32) Kelly and Ron braved the horrible winter weather here in the south to bring you this week’s episode, so don’t miss it. We talk about what makes a good medic both personality-wise and medically. Kelly gives a really good football based metaphor for where EMS fits into the overall field of medicine. We talk … Continue reading Ep 34 – Blunt and Penetrating →2011-02-0900 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieSP 04 Bob Page(1:00:58) From Boy Scout to CCEMT-P and nationally known EMS educator Bob Page shares a lot of cool info for the newbie. Learn which part of your stethoscope to use for a BP. What the ATLS says about the relationship between radial pulse and BP is. A cool gadget you can get to help you … Continue reading SP 04 Bob Page →2011-02-0400 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 33 Trauma Centers[audio:33_TraumaCenters.mp3] (43:43) School is in full swing and Ron has a bunch of questions. This week we talk about the use and over use of lights and sirens, why picking the right hospital is critical in trauma, and photography in the field. The newbie also asks flight nurse/flight medic, why do we need both? Listener … Continue reading Ep 33 Trauma Centers →2011-02-0200 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 32 Trauma and EMS Ops[audio:32_TraumaAndEMSOps.mp3] (34:27) Back in school again. We go over Ron’s schedule for this semester, talking about Trauma, EMS Operations, Methods of Teaching EMS, and Paramedic Clinicals. Talking about working in the ICU Kelly tells a story where he was creeped out on a transport. Along the way we discuss, NIMS, PHTLS, PASG/MAST and permissive hypotension. … Continue reading Ep 32 Trauma and EMS Ops →2011-01-2600 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 31 Listener Questions[audio:31_ListenerQuestions.mp3] (57:24) Since Ron isn’t in school we took listener questions and there were a lot of them. Listener Questions I passed my NREMT-B exam – yay!!- but am curious to know why the CAT will ask one question a couple of times? It seemed a little odd, as if it was testing to see … Continue reading Ep 31 Listener Questions →2011-01-1900 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieSP 03 Dr Bill Drees[audio:SP3_BillDreesInterview.mp3] (1:08:22) This week we have another special episode where Ron interviews the head of his paramedic program Dr. Bill Drees. They talk specifically about the program Ron is in and why it is structured the way it is. What impact will the NREMT accreditation requirement have on paramedic programs and The Street vs The … Continue reading SP 03 Dr Bill Drees →2011-01-0500 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 30 Best of Paramedic School Semester One[audio: 30_BestOfPSchoolFirstSemester.mp3] (50:00) While Ron and Kelly take a break over Christmas, here is another best of episode. Some of the funniest and most useful stuff from the last 4 months. A never before heard piece of feedback about our show’s opening. And Kelly lays down a fat beat under another version of our opening. … Continue reading Ep 30 Best of Paramedic School Semester One →2010-12-2900 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 29 One Done[audio:29_OneDone.mp3] (32:55) Finals week is over and Ron went on his first shift as a volunteer. We talk about finals and having high standards. We also talk about testing and how it is done in colleges now and what that means for the student. Ron got to meet his medical director where he is volunteering … Continue reading Ep 29 One Done →2010-12-2200 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 28 Acid Base[audio:28_AcidBase.mp3] (43:20) This week Ron did his practical testing – ET, Combitube, IV, Patient Assessment Medical and we talk about that, including answering some listener questions about testing. Ron asks Kelly, “What are vitals?” and the answer is an interesting discussion. Ron’s medical scenarios was something he hadn’t studied since Basic. He could remember what … Continue reading Ep 28 Acid Base →2010-12-1500 minConfessions Of An EMS Newbie PodcastEp 28 Acid Base[audio:28_AcidBase.mp3] (43:20) This week Ron did his practical testing – ET, Combitube, IV, Patient Assessment Medical and we talk about that, including answering some listener questions about testing. Ron asks Kelly, “What are vitals?” and the answer is an interesting discussion. Ron’s medical scenarios was something he hadn’t studied since Basic. He could remember what … Continue reading Ep 28 Acid Base →2010-12-1500 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 27 Let the Testing Begin[audio:27_LetTestingBegin.mp3] (46:53) Ron had two tests and his last clinical this week. Pretty much nothing but testing from here on out. We talk a little about EMT Intermediate 85/99. Learn at what point Ron’s last patient asked, “Did I get a student?” And all about his injury prevention program he’s working on. We follow up … Continue reading Ep 27 Let the Testing Begin →2010-12-0800 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 26 More Conference[audio:26_MoreConference.mp3] (55:54) We talk some more about things Ron learned at the Texas EMS conference. He asks, “Doesn’t anyone know how to take a BP?” Find out what Ron’s favorite condition is, and everything you wanted to know about it. We also discuss drawing blood on the ambulance and how hospitals feel about it. And … Continue reading Ep 26 More Conference →2010-12-0100 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 25 Live from Texas EMS Conference 2010[audio:25_TexasEMSConf2010.mp3] (34:28) One day in and we are both already tired. We talk about the different classes and workshops Ron went to, including Kelly’s PediALS workshop. Learning all about tourniquets and hemostatic (clotting) agents including recommendations for what works, and a history of tourniquet use from Larry Torrey’s “All bleeding stops eventually”. Why do we … Continue reading Ep 25 Live from Texas EMS Conference 2010 →2010-11-2500 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 24 – Crics and Foley Catheters[audio:24_CricAndFoley.mp3] (55:38) This week we talk about Folly catheters and how it is different on a real woman than the mannequin. Also about getting the smell out of your nose. Ron had a big extrication day where he learn all about cricotomy, alternative airways, digital intubation and blind nasaul intubation. In pharmacology we learned about … Continue reading Ep 24 – Crics and Foley Catheters →2010-11-1700 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 23 Grey Clouds and Amiodarone[audio:23_GreyCloudsAndAmiodarone.mp3] (53:00) Is Ron still a white cloud if he visited both level 1 trauma centers in one ambulance shift? Find out about Halloween in the hood. Cardiac drugs, new ACLS guidelines and the Noah’s Ark drug. Video laryngoscope and a description of your vocal cords that a fireman can remember. Learn what kind of … Continue reading Ep 23 Grey Clouds and Amiodarone →2010-11-1000 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 22 Intubation Baby[audio:22_IntubationBaby.mp3] (59:47) Maybe we should have called it “everything you wanted to know about intubation but were afraid to ask”. Kelly is the Jedi Master and Ron started intubation this week. Had lots of questions to ask Kelly, so this is a long one. Here’s some of the questions asked. Blade Preference: Miler/Mac Pedi Bougie … Continue reading Ep 22 Intubation Baby →2010-11-0300 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieSP 02 The Mark Glencorse Interview[audio:SP2_MarkGlencorseInterview.mp3] (50:51) In this special episode Ron interviews UK paramedic Mark Glencorse, aka UKMedic999. He tries to ask everything you ever wanted to know about EMS – or Ambulance Service – in the UK but were afraid to ask. How are medic’s trained? What are the levels of medic? How does medical direction work? Is … Continue reading SP 02 The Mark Glencorse Interview →2010-10-2900 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 21 A Stable Rhythm[audio:21_StableRhythm.mp3] (35:08) This week Ron experiences his first dead patient and CPR on them. We talk about capnography, and symptomatic bradycardia. Newbie asks about clearing C-spine and moving the head to a neutral position. And Kelly tells how to give informed consent to spinal immobilization. We also answer a number of listener questions. Mentions: Mediccast … Continue reading Ep 21 A Stable Rhythm →2010-10-2700 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieTeaser: Coming Very Soon MVC not MVAIt is not really 2 hours long, really only 23 seconds, but Blip is having issues with it. The mp42010-10-2500 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 20 Maintaining Control[audio:20_MaintainControl.mp3] (38:52) Is the scene safe, Kelly? This week Ron and Kelly talk about maintaining your own pulse when dealing with a crazy call, what’s the reason to give pain meds, and the difference between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. You’ll learn a new way to remember what part the parasympathetic system has on … Continue reading Ep 20 Maintaining Control →2010-10-2000 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 19 Thank God For Pigs[audio:19_Pigs.mp3] (43:24) This week we talk about giving narcan, should you give nitro before or after getting an IV. Can an IV of Lactate’s Ringer cure a hangover? We talk about doing patient assessment the same way every time and and getting your reports done quickly. Can an experienced paramedic get a pulse without a … Continue reading Ep 19 Thank God For Pigs →2010-10-1300 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 18 Busy Busy[audio:18_BusyBusy.mp3] (31:43) It’s been a crazy week for the newbie. 3 tests, first IV lab and first hospital clinical. We talk all about those tests, the ones that made him feel like a starfish and the ones that made him feel like Hank Arron. Kelly gives some tips on IVs and we answer a number … Continue reading Ep 18 Busy Busy →2010-10-0600 minConfessions Of An EMS Newbie PodcastSP01 Interview Dr Bryan Bledsoe(53:17) This is a special episode where the EMS Newbie, Ron Davis, interviews Dr Bryan Bledsoe. As Kelly puts it, Dr. Bledsoe is a rock star in EMS. He speaks at numerous EMS conferences, teaches Emergency Medicine at the UNLV Medical School, and literally wrote the book on Paramedic Care. The 5 volume set … Continue reading SP01 Interview Dr Bryan Bledsoe →2010-09-3000 minConfessions Of An EMS Newbie PodcastSP01 Interview Dr Bryan Bledsoe(53:17) This is a special episode where the EMS Newbie, Ron Davis, interviews Dr Bryan Bledsoe. As Kelly puts it, Dr. Bledsoe is a rock star in EMS. He speaks at numerous EMS conferences, teaches Emergency Medicine at the UNLV Medical School, and literally wrote the book on Paramedic Care. The 5 volume set … Continue reading SP01 Interview Dr Bryan Bledsoe →2010-09-3000 minConfessions Of An EMS Newbie PodcastSP01 Interview Dr Bryan Bledsoe[audio:SP1_DrBledsoeInterview.mp3] (53:17) This is a special episode where the EMS Newbie, Ron Davis, interviews Dr Bryan Bledsoe. As Kelly puts it, Dr. Bledsoe is a rock star in EMS. He speaks at numerous EMS conferences, teaches Emergency Medicine at the UNLV Medical School, and literally wrote the book on Paramedic Care. The 5 volume set … Continue reading SP01 Interview Dr Bryan Bledsoe →2010-09-3000 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieSP01 Interview Dr Bryan Bledsoe[audio:SP1_DrBledsoeInterview.mp3] (53:17) This is a special episode where the EMS Newbie, Ron Davis, interviews Dr Bryan Bledsoe. As Kelly puts it, Dr. Bledsoe is a rock star in EMS. He speaks at numerous EMS conferences, teaches Emergency Medicine at the UNLV Medical School, and literally wrote the book on Paramedic Care. The 5 volume set … Continue reading SP01 Interview Dr Bryan Bledsoe →2010-09-3000 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 17 What If They Need To Pee[audio:17_NeedToPee.mp3] (50:49) This week we talk about learning the 12 Cranial Nerves, in depth patient assessment, keeping fluids and drugs at the right temperature in the ambulance. Kelly tells you the secrets of peeing on long transports, both for the patient and the paramedic. Since Ron is learning IVs next week we talk about dealing … Continue reading Ep 17 What If They Need To Pee →2010-09-2800 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 16 – Shooting Your Face Off[audio:16_ShootingFaceOff.mp3] (29:43) This week we talk about an EMS guide to suicide, and how to start an tube on someone without a face. Ron’s finally offical, having passed his National Registry test and be certified by Texas as and EMT. From class we talk about taking a patient history from a hypoglycemic diabetic is a … Continue reading Ep 16 – Shooting Your Face Off →2010-09-2200 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 15 Agenda for the Future and Drugs[audio:15_Agenda_Drugs.mp3] (41:16) In this episode Kelly and Ron talk about the 1996 EMS Agenda for the Future, EMS 2.0, the community paramedic. Studying for the NREMT and learning to learn after 18 years out of school. Narcotic tracking and security. Hypothermal treatment and the Morgan Lens. Mentioned: Study Hacks blog How to Become a Straight-A … Continue reading Ep 15 Agenda for the Future and Drugs →2010-09-1500 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 14 Beginning Paramedic School[audio:14_BeginPSchool.mp3] (29:43) This week we talk about how many EMS schools there are in Texas and how many of them are accredited. Ron started the Lone Star College North Harris two year paramedic program, which is accredited, this week. We talk a lot about that program and how it is structured. Ron asked the head … Continue reading Ep 14 Beginning Paramedic School →2010-09-0800 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 13 The Best of Basic[audio:13_BestOfBasic.mp3] (53:40) Special best of episode. Ron was off on Vacation between Basic and starting P-school, so our audio wizard Marc put together this best of episode. Some of the funniest, most touching and most practical stuff. New to the show and want to know what it is like? This is the episode to listen … Continue reading Ep 13 The Best of Basic →2010-09-0100 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 12 Finally[audio:12_Finally.mp3] (29:43) Ron goes through his final skills tests and the Final Exam. In the process almost failed out on traction splint. Kelly tells us how to auscultate a fracture. We discuss “Getting Your Patch” and what comes next. Registering with the State. Registering with National Registry. Waiting for my school work to be certified … Continue reading Ep 12 Finally →2010-08-2500 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 11 – Patient Assessment Failure[audio:11_PatientAssFail.mp3] (43:43) Learn how Ron failed and then passed Patient Assessment Medical and how that could be a good thing. Ron also retook his CPR for heathcare provider this weekend, find out why and how that’s important to the newbie. It is coming down to the final week of class and Ron could be an … Continue reading Ep 11 – Patient Assessment Failure →2010-08-1800 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 10 I Don’t Know Nothing Bout Birth’n No Babies[audio:10_Babies.mp3] (42:41) This week Ron covered behavioral Emergencies and started talking about delivering babies in class. How many do you think Kelly has delivered? Find out on this episode. Ron also passed my Patient Assessment Trauma skill on Wednesday and will attempt Patient Assessment Medical on Monday. So he asks Kelly for tips on doing … Continue reading Ep 10 I Don’t Know Nothing Bout Birth’n No Babies →2010-08-1100 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 9 I Am A White Cloud[audio:09_IAmAWhiteCloud.mp3] (43:05) Show Notes This week we talk about Ron’s super power, being a white cloud. Another ambulance shift with almost no calls again. We talk about 24 hour shifts and last minute calls. Lots of questions answered in this episode as well. Is a Basic just a paramedic assistant? National and State EMS organizations, … Continue reading Ep 9 I Am A White Cloud →2010-08-0400 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 8 Boring Ambulance and Stupid Skills[audio:08_BoringAmbulance.mp3] (49:38) Well Ron lost is ambulance virginity on a Friday night and was basically bored. Everybody built it up, but his shift wasn’t that exciting. But after being up all night he got on Skype with Kelly and that is always interesting. They talked about his shift, and about the skills he is learning … Continue reading Ep 8 Boring Ambulance and Stupid Skills →2010-07-2800 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 7 Shock & Scenarios[audio:07_ShockScenarios.mp3] (47:35) This week Ron confesses to making his wife an EMS widow already but at least he got out of doing P90X. Hear the story about how half of Ron’s team got killed during his extraction day scenarios. His scenarios included sucking chest wounds, ejected infants, and belligerent drunk drivers distracting Ron. Kelly also … Continue reading Ep 7 Shock & Scenarios →2010-07-2100 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 6 The Beginnings of Trauma[audio:06_BeginningsOfTrauma.mp3] (48:03) In this episode we talk about Trauma, or at least we start talking about it because that’s what Ron is studying. There is a discussion of learning the kinematics of trauma and then bleeding. Kelly gives a discussion on Tourniquets and not cringing at the trauma pictures. Ron spent more time in the … Continue reading Ep 6 The Beginnings of Trauma →2010-07-1400 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 5 – First Hospital Clinical[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 … Continue reading Ep 5 – First Hospital Clinical →2010-07-0700 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 4 – Airways and Reports[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 … Continue reading Ep 4 – Airways and Reports →2010-06-3000 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 3 – DNR, Palpation and Medical Control[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 … Continue reading Ep 3 – DNR, Palpation and Medical Control →2010-06-2200 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 2 – Sex And EMT Pants[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 … Continue reading Ep 2 – Sex And EMT Pants →2010-06-1500 minConfessions of an EMS NewbieEp 1 – Newbie EMT Fears[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 … Continue reading Ep 1 – Newbie EMT Fears →2010-06-1000 min