Subaqua Sternal Rubs

Coppermine, the software that runs my photo album site has been updated to the latest version. You, the end user, won't really notice any changes, except for a new "Friend's Only" section where I will be posting pictures that might actually have me in them. In order to see these pictures, you will have to register, and log in. (Similar to this site.)

Just registering will give you access to some albums, whereas being a slightly closer friend may be required to access other albums. (Access to special Friend's Only albums will be granted as soon as I can upgrade your account.)

Sorry I haven't posted in the past few days, but I have been relatively busy… First off was EMS duty from Sunday 1800 - Wednesday 0600. Yes, I violated the ambulance Corps' bylaws in a single shift. (Only supposed to volunteer 36 hours/week or less.) A number of calls, but I can only remember two right now:

• A 70 year old female, 1-Delta response for difficulty breathing. Upon arrival, obviously working, room air SpO2 of 73%. Hx of COPD, CHF, and Asthma. Multiple hits of inhaler without relief. SpO2 up to 93% on oxygen, and patient looking better. As the paramedic is on the radio with the doctor requesting solumedrol, I hear, "Please hold, I have to tend to the patient." The cardiac monitor was alarming, because the patient's pulse had dropped to 20. Amazingly she was still conscious, but became increasing confused and combative. Since she was barely breathing, this made it difficult to preform my assigned task, which was ventilating (breathing for) the patient using a BVM. The medic gave atropine and started pacing the patient (giving the patient small shocks to make the heart beat faster.) This worked fairly well, bringing the patient's heartbeat up into the mid 50's. Upon transfer to the ED, the patient was improved, but still in guarded condition. However, my hopes were not high for her continued improvement, since the ED to which we brought the pt is nicknamed "The Pearly Gates" by the local EMS community, but this is where the daughter wanted the pt transported, and the pt's family is always right.


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My parents have posted pictures of their African Safari… 3 albums up, still more to come!

Also, for you EMS buffs out there, (like me! ) I have also posted some pictures of random African EMS vehicles…

And this is why I got into EMS… I have nothing better to do

As a recent national disaster survior, my heart goes out to those affected by the recent tsunamis in the Pacific Rim.

Send online donations to the International Committee of the Red Cross here, and donate to Care International here.

Update: Some more choices for giving. The American Red Cross has an International Response Fund, which includes aid for tsunami victims:

"You can help those affected by the recent tsunamis in South Asia, the humanitarian crisis in Sudan and Chad, and countless other crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross." Donate here. (Select International Response Fund from the menu.)

Hat Tip: Shrinkette

There will be a Wine and Cheese party, along with a Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony (with real candles) at my house tonight…

Hopefully it goes better than this though…

(From fire.nist.gov)

Merry Christmas Everyone! Hope you are having a joyous holiday season. I received the following in an email, and I would like to pass it along:

Christmas Blessings (2MB Powerpoint Show)

After eating some possibly tainted food yesterday, I began having some relatively uncomfortable abdominal pain. (So much so that when it peaked, I was hyperventilating to get through it- Tingling fingers are fun. ) Tried to go to bed early, but just couldn't sleep due to the pain, as well as some episodes of vomiting. Eventually took a combination of Pepcid, Benadryl, and some sort of sleeping pill related to Valium. This finally did the trick and knocked me out. Still have some lingering pain today, but not nearly as bad as yesterday.

Blogging will probably be light for a few days, so Happy Holidays everyone!

Most likely the last EMS post for a while… Other than occasional all-calls, I may only have 1 or 2 more scheduled shifts before I go back to school (and I may have to find coverage for those, since I need to get ready.)

Last night's shift was busy so that we didn't end up eating dinner until about 11PM, but after midnight there were no calls.

• Our first call was a 22 year old male complaining of back pain after a very minor accident. (Cracked taillight was about the extent of the damage.) The patient had been experiencing back pain prior to the accident, however, since he had been roofing all day. He adamantly refused going to the hospital, which was unusual, since he was driving on a suspended license. He signed the RMA and we left him to deal with the cops.


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From an email:

Drunk Santa on Cops (2MB .wmv)

Hopefully he'll sober up by Christmas

My first Public Service Announcement: Don't speed.

MVA in Jamaica

SIX people were killed and another one seriously injured early yesterday morning when a Toyota Corolla taxi slammed into a truck along the Bog Walk Gorge in St Catherine.

The six were passengers in the taxi when the vehicle crashed head-on into a Leyland Truck which was travelling to Linstead. The taxi was heading to Spanish Town.

"We are not sure how the crash happened, but it was apparent that the driver of the car was speeding," a traffic cop at the accident scene told the Observer.

One of Grahams' sons, 6 year-old Trevaughn, said Thomas was known to drive very fast.
"Him drive at all 140 and 160," the boy said. (Km/H but still waay too fast.)