Friday Five – Five Classes for EMS Providers

Okay, so I don’t normally provide too much background on my choice for Friday Fives, but I have to give a bit of a background to this list.  I had the pleasure of having a telephone conversation with what I call an EMS purist. You know them, those people who will only ever ride on an ambulance, only ever concern themselves with EMS stuff, and never understand the need for anything other than EMS. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with that. However, the conversation with this guy made me feel like I’d fallen backwards 10 years in progression fo the system.

This gentleman did not understand why he, an EMS provider, needed to take NIMS training. Ten years after it was put into place, this individual still had not taken any of the NIMS trainings because and I quote “That’s a fire science class and I only run EMS calls”.  Without reaching through the phone and smacking this person, I calmly explained to him that while he may only run EMS calls, he will always work with other members of the emergency services field and that NIMS provides a framework for responding with multiple different agencies. He still didn’t seem to get it, even after I used his own localities recent interaction with state and federal resources as the result of damage from a hurricane.  He didn’t get it when I explained to him that the basics are important and that it actually wasn’t a huge deal because the training is available online, FOR FREE. After finally finishing my phone conversation I was struck by two things:

1.  Some people will just never get it.

2.  There are still EMS providers who believe that the only training they need is first aid based, just as there are probably still fire service members who believe the only training they need is how to put water on the fire.

With those two things in mind, today’s friday five is a list of five classes I believe every EMS provider should have (beyond first aid training), even if they are only riding on a fire truck.

Five Classes for EMS Providers

1.  National Incident Management System (NIMS) - Forget that this is a free course and forget that you don’t even have to get out of your pajamas to take it if you don’t want to. If this course cost and you had to travel, I’d still recommend it. The NIMS training, while not federally mandated, should be made a mandate by agencies for their members. It provides an understanding of the frame-work of response, from the basic to the large-scale incident. It takes out the actual operational efforts and describes the organization fo the efforts and the resources/agencies available. Anyone who might EVER respond to an event should have this training. Check out: http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/NIMSTrainingCourses.shtm for more information

2.  Incident Command Systems (ICS) - While NIMS talks about the ICS structure, the application and implementation of ICS is covered in other. Many of the courses offered are actually specific to the field, so you can take an Incident Command/Operations Course aimed at a target audience of EMS providers. This will provide scenarios that are EMS based and allow you to better understand the fact that you have a role in ICS, even if you only ride on the ambulance.  The National Fire Academy (NFA) offers a wide variety of these courses, and is an experience every emergency services member should have!  Visit http://www.usfa.fema.gov/nfa/index.shtm for additional information on National Fire Academy courses

3.  Hazardous Materials Awareness - Every EMS provider should take a hazardous materials awareness course. We need to understand how to recognize a haz-mat situation, how to identify a hazardous material (from a distance) and how to look that same hazardous material up in the Emergency Response Guide (ERG) to assist in the treatment of our patients. This is a course that can be taken online and is often taught in person by the state Emergency Management agency or Fire Programs office.

4.  Vehicle Extrication – This is a hard one to explain. Some of you  readers are actually doing extrication off the ambulance. In some jurisdictions though, extrication is a fire department activity (probably in more localities than there are EMS doing extrication). Even if you never place your hands on a spreader, cutter, ram, etc, you need to understand the process of extrication. Extrication is a patient care driven issue (that’s another argument I could write about). We wouldn’t be doing extrication if there wasn’t a patient in the car. An EMS provider with an understanding of the process of vehicle extrication can be prepared for the impacts on the patient, understand the time issues associated with different techniques, and use their knowledge to provide information to the patient (if conscious) about what the extrication team is doing.

5. Critical Incident Stress Management - This training, whether through International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), the Red Cross, or some other agency, provides not only the ability to help others deal with the impacts of the job, but also provides a foundation for recognizing when you are personally impacted as well. We focus so much on the reactive approach (treating things AFTER they happen). If we could provide this training, or even a simpler form, we may be able to PREVENT individuals from being impacted emotionally/mentally by a critical incident.

So, those are the trainings (beyond first aid) that I truly believe EVERY EMS provider should have. You may or may not agree with me, but I think we can all agree, that the training is out there and we should definitely take advantage of it. Why would you not want to be the best provider you can be?

Do you have any classes you would add to this list?  Feel free to share your thoughts here or on twitter!

Until next time, stay safe and don’t forget to follow on twitter (@stickysidedwn)

EMS Nutrition #9 – Healthy Dessert Options

For some people the end of dinner signals a time for a cup of coffee or a cigarette.  For me, it means it’s time to consider dessert.  Maybe it’s because I LOVE to bake and like to try things and then bake them myself.  Or maybe it’s because I have a MASSIVE sweet tooth.  Whatever it is, one of the things to remember during healthy eating is that you don’t have to completely cut out desserts. It just means that you have to consider some healthy alternatives to what you might normally make and eat.  This week I’m going to focus on some baking alternatives/snaking ideas and next week I’ll share some healthy recipes for some great desserts (and maybe a few not so healthy desserts!).

Dessert Considerations

1.  If you have a craving, choose to indulge!  Have you ever had that craving that just won’t go away?  Mine normally looks like this:

When I have a craving, I don’t go for some healthy alternative.  I go for a small serving size of my actual craving. Otherwise, I’ll just keep eating foods until I feel like I’ve met my craving, which normally ends with me eating what I wanted to begin with (in much larger quantities).  It’s okay to have an off moment and indulge in something that isn’t so good for you, if only to make sure you aren’t over indulging later.

2.  Consider desserts and snacks that are naturally sweetened. This will eliminate a desire to add refined sugar to your dish, packing on the calories

3. Consider dark chocolate- Dark chocolate has received recent news coverage as an anti-oxidant. Dark chocolate (must be dark, not milk)

4.  Consider altering your recipe – I’ve read lots of writing about substitutions in your recipe to make a dessert healthier, and while I will admit to not having tried most of them, the reviews I’ve read and heard are that some of the substitutions are wonderful. For instance, substitute unsweetened applesauce for some of the fat additives. Or, consider honey as a sweetener instead of sugar. Because it is in liquid form, you need to use only 3/4 cup honey for every cup sugar.  Additional substitutes can be found at: http://www.livestrong.com/article/366614-healthy-sugar-substitutes-in-baking/

5.  Never underestimate the power of fresh fruit - Some of the best desserts I’ve had have been cold/frozen fresh fruit. It’s naturally sweet flavors and the cold make it seem like a much better option than some of the other unhealthiest choices.  If you’ve never had frozen grapes, you are missing something!

Next week I’ll share some of my favorite healthy dessert recipes (and my not so healthy dessert recipes).

Until then, stay safe and remember to follow me on twitter (@stickysidedwn).

Friday Five – Five Moments That Have Impacted My Service

I’ve been overly nostalgic recently, remembering the things that brought me into EMS and the things that have planted themselves firmly into my memory of my career in EMS.  There have been many incidents that have helped me, improved my skills, cemented my desire to do this job.  Today I thought I’d share with you some of those incidents.

Five Moments That Have Impacted My Service

1.  My First Call - I’m sure most people in Fire/EMS, even those who have been in greater years than I have been around, remember that first call. My first call was a syncople episode brought on by an irregular heart rate. The patient was a sweet elderly woman who was at an annual food/drink festival. I was working the standby and “technically” shouldn’t have been on the truck. I still had three months before I reached the standard riding age (16).  We transported her to the closest hospital (which is now closed) and while the ALS provider, Anne Rawls, (who played a strong role in developing my skills as an EMS provider), filled out the paperwork, the driver (a volunteer FF) and I joked about the standard cake and ice cream I was no expected to buy. It wasn’t much, but after three years of helping around the station, answering phones, and tracking paperwork, riding on the ambulance for my first call, truly reminded me of why I wanted to volunteer.

2.  Responding to the Pentagon - Like so many others both fire/rescue and civilian, I was HUGELY impacted by the events of September 11, 2001. However, I had the unique experience of actually responding to the incident and serving a tour (24 hour period) on grounds. My job was coordinating the amazing massage therapists the Office of EMS had sent to provide physical relief to the workers in the building and on the grounds. As we drove up, I remember seeing the light poles bent over like match sticks and realized I was looking at the path the plane took when it approached the building.  The people I interacted with, whether Federal, State, Local, church, private, etc., were all so willing to help in any way possible. I remember being so moved when, as I watched a group of people gather on a hill not far from activities, I realized they were family members of those who had been in the building when the plane hit. For the longest time, driving past the Pentagon on my way into DC was one of the hardest activities I had to do.

3.  Teaching/Testing out  my first EMT class - At the ripe old age of 21, I was standing in front of my EMS peers, literally, since many of them I had known for years already. I stood in front of the class realizing that I was now the expert.  I was the one that they relied on to give them the knowledge, and that patient care would be impacted by me. All but two fo the students were older than me and I had nothing but the DOT curriculum and my Brady Emergency Care text in front of me (no powerpoint for that class).   I remember how nervous I was on the night they tested, and how excited I was when I realized that 100% of the students passed.  While every class since then has been special, that first class led me down the path of teaching/instruction and I couldn’t be more thankful for each of those students.

4.  Department Funerals - Honestly, I can’t pick just one funeral because unfortunately there have been many. any time I attend a funeral for one fo my brothers and sisters in the service I am impacted. Whether or not I knew them personally, the service, the words, the camaraderie shown are always something that stick in my heart. I’ve lost money squad members that I was close with and I’ve attended funerals for fire, police, and EMS. While I can only hope to never attend another, I know that it is a slim expectation. I also know though, that during those times when we are all grieving, the support provided by those close and far away will leave a lasting impression!

5.  The birth of my children – Okay, this may seem odd, but my children have truly impacted my service in Fire/EMS/Emergency management on a daily basis. I strive to be a better provider. I want them to see that service to the community is extremely important. That when you commit to something, whether a job or a volunteer position, you give 100% and do so as a professional. I work to show my kids that you plan for anything no matter how silly it may seem. My kids have given me experience that I can take back to the classroom in my lectures, and have made me raise my standards because I continue to think that my students could one day treat my children.  I’ve also been much more aware of my safety during calls.  Why? Because I want to be able to go home to them at the end of the day!

So those are the moments. I know it’s a bit deep for a post on a friday, but I definitely think it is important to reflect back, especially at a time when you may be struggling with a decision, with a choice, with the future.

So, what are you moments?  Also, don’t forget to enter the contest for a free copy of my book Incident Command For EMS. The deadline is next Friday!

Until then, stay safe and don’t forget to follow on Twitter (@stickysidedwn)

 

EMS Nutrition #8 – Dinner’s Served!

If you ask my husband, he’ll admit that as a baker I excel. I can get a recipe and churn out some great desserts and even breakfast baked goods. But, when you ask me to cook/grill, I’m definitely much worse off. I have a few standard recipes that I can turn to that I know my family likes, but I don’t stray very far from baked chicken, pasta, hamburgers, or steak/potatoes. This year I actually cooked my first Thanksgiving turkey and I was amazed it turned out okay. Granted, my standard was that it didn’t make anyone ill, so I had set the bar low!

However, with the changes we’ve made in our physical fitness and eating habits, I’m always looking for new recipes and new ideas for healthy dinners. With two picky kids, it makes it a bit harder, but we’ll keep trying new things! 

Here are a few places I search for recipes and a few recipes I use.

Ritz Cracker Chicken

Here’s the recipe: http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/ritz-cracker-chicken/

This recipe creates a moist and tender chicken breast that has some great flavor to it

Lasagna

I like lasagna because it always leaves some leftovers.  Remember to cosnider low-fat cheeses, lean meats, and whole wheat pastas.

Here’s a link to a lower fat/lower calorie recipe: http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/better-than-ever-cheesy-meat-lasagna-91438.aspx

Websites I Use

Kraft Recipes: http://www.kraftrecipes.com/home.aspx - not only can you search based on which meal you are making but you can also enter a few ingredients you have on hand and they will provide you with a recipe that you can make!

Food Network – http://www.foodnetwork.com/healthy-eating/index.html - They actually have a portion of the website that focuses specially on healthy eating and healthy recipes.

Livestrong – http://www.livestrong.com/recipes/ - As I started researching the nutrition posts, I came across the Livestrong website. I’ve been impressed by the information provided and the recipes available. I’d definitely recommend checking it out.

So, there are a few websites and ideas for you as you plan your next dinner/shopping list.  Are there any recipes you have that are your “go-to” recipes?  If so, make sure to share!

Also, don’t forget the giveaway that is going on!

Until next time, stay safe and don’t forget to follow on twitter (@stickysidedwn)!

I’m having a giveaway!

Have I mentioned I wrote a book?  I know, I’m funny aren’t I?  In case you didn’t know, here’s a picture:

Well, in honor of the release of my book, and in hopes of spreading the information, I’m giving away a copy of the book.  That’s right, one signed copy of my book will be given away to a lucky reader.  Here are the details:

How To Enter

In order to enter you will either need to tweet (@stickysidedwn) or email (sticky-side-down@comcast.net) a picture of what you use for incident command.  It could be a picture of your riding assignment board, a picture of an Incident Command Vehicle, a picture of a command vest.  Really, anything that shows how you use ICS at your station.

Remember in your e-mail to include your name and station location. We will share pictures that are entered into the contest, as they might give others ideas on what they can do with their station.

**Edited to add** – Your picture doesn’t necessarily have to have specific ICS (or even fire/EMS themed) items (such as command vests). Think outside the box – take a picture of your Lieutenant’s Badge, your assignment board (if you a nurse it could be bed assignments).  It could be a picture of a triage tag or an ambulance. Anything that shows your structured response!  If you aren’t a member of an agency, consider writing down the command structure in your own house and sending a picture

Deadline

Pictures will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. March 9, 2012.

Choosing a Winner

A winner will be chosen at random and their name will be posted Saturday March 10, 2012.

Could I Have Done More?

My heart is heavy today, which given the fact that it is Valentine’s Day, seems slightly off-balance.  It is heavy because in the last week (actually less) Virginia has lost two responders in Line of Duty Deaths and just today my husband told me about the loss of fellow county Volunteer. While his death was not line of duty, it still was a fellow first responder, someone who I spent many calls with and have many memories about.

It’s hard not to hear these bits of news and not take it personally. You play the “What If It Had Been Me?” or the “I wonder if I know them” cards. You consider how you would respond if it were in your own agency and what you would do if it were your crew, etc. We mourn for the losses of our brothers and at the same time breathe a small and short-lived sigh of relief that it wasn’t us.  And honestly, I think that’s okay.  What’s more important though is that while we celebrate the people who aren’t with us anymore, we take the opportunity to try to prevent it from happening again.  We can NEVER forget the things that the L.O.D.D.s have taught us.  The reports are simple: we don’t wear our seatbelts, we are out of shape, we have a significantly higher rate of suicide than many other professions. Just last year a report was issued focusing on suicides in the fire service (http://lifesafetyinitiatives.com/13/depressionsuicide_summary.pdf).

What do we need to do to make sure we don’t ask ourselves “Could I have done more?” 

1.  Education! Read the trade magazines, the studies, the NIOSH and OSHA reports, the websites.  Hell, you should be reading things about this service every day (or at least every shift). These are people who have learned the hard way and want to make sure that you don’t have to make the same mistake. 

2.  Train!   Once you’ve educated yourself, apply the knowledge through training.  Training is more than reading.  Training is the hands-on application of the skills or lessons you learned from the reading.  Train to recognize when a scene is going to crap and your safety is being compromised.  Train to recognize unsafe fire conditions/unsafe medical patients/unsafe scenes and learn how to handle the situations without becoming a part of the incident.

3.  Man/Woman Up - This might seem like a harsh statement, but TOO many times I’ve watched people go towards that dark corner that we could all potentially end up in after too many bad calls, too many bad days, etc. They get to that breaking point long after they should have stood up and said “Hey, I need help and I can’t do it alone”. Whether you use your agency Employee Assistance Program (EAP), a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) system, or even just reach out to a coworker, mentor, loved one, it doesn’t matter.  What matters is the recognition, that if you don’t reach out…the opportunity may not come around for your to reach out again!

4.  Recognize Others Problems - We train for responding to the aftermath on a daily basis.  AFTER the car crash, I will hold C-Spine. AFTER the delivery I will suction the airway. AFTER the fire starts, I will put it out.  AFTER I begin to have issues dealing with the hard stuff, I will seek out help.  Why aren’t we training for the BEFORE.  Train for resiliency (the ability to deal with what we could potentially face on a daily basis). Train to recognize the signs and symptoms of someone else struggling. Train to get help before it’s too late!

5. Follow simple safety precautions. Put your seat belt on, wear your safety best, wear the appropriate equipment….the list goes on.  I could sit here and list way too many safety issues that we neglect to follow on a daily basis and I am one that has this struggle. In the back of the ambulance, i don’t wear my seatbelt. I should, but it’s not habit. I need to make it habit! Make those safety expectations habit, so in the heat of the moment, you don’t forget.

Here are some great sites for additional information: http://www.everyonegoeshome.com/, www.icisf.org, www.nvfc.org.

I know that even following these and other safety recommendations, we will still be left asking ourselves “Could I have done more”?  It’s in our nature. But do your best to not walk away from a situation saying “I didn’t do anything”.

Until next time…stay safe and don’t forget to follow on twitter (@stickysidedwn)

EMS Nutrition #7 – MMMM…Dinner

If I had to choose one dish for dinner for the rest of my life it would probably be a toss up between pizza and pasta. I could eat carbs for the rest of my life for every meal.  And for the longest time, I didn’t see any problem with that.  But as I got older my body was showing me there was a problem with how many carbs I was eating.  With the lifestyle e change that my husband and I have made, I”m definitely paying more attention to what I eat.  And dinner has probably been one of the biggest changes I’ve made.

So, as you plan dinner, here are some things to keep in mind.

1.  Watch your portions!  It is really easy to sit down at dinner and eat, and eat, and eat.  Unfortunately with dinner being the last meal of the day, unless you exercise late at night, those are calories that will not be burned.  With that in mind limiting the portions and helpings that you get is important.  Have you noticed that many restaurants have actually switched to smaller plates at dinner time.  Even restaurants have realized that portion control is important!

2.  Use whole grains!  One of the changes I’ve made to my pasta love is to switch to whole grains. They are actually less processed and healthier.  And honestly, except for the fact that cooking times increase by just a bit, I haven’t noticed a change (and more importantly, neither have my kids).

3.  Serve vegetables - Okay, this is one I’m not so good at.  If I serve vegetables it’s normally canned corn, mashed potatoes, or rice. One of the things to consider is to use the vegetables to add color to your plate. A colorful meal is most often a healthier meal (and no ketchup and mustard shouldn’t be the color).

4.  What your red meat! – You should attempt to limit your red meat meals to two a week. Consider using pork, chicken, or seafood to add variety to your meals.

5. What have you missed? - This may seem a bit funny, but consider this. Dinner is an opportunity you have to meet the needs of the food pyramid, to get the food group servings that you need. This is your last chance to make sure you’ve had a well-rounded nutritional day!

So, those are five items to keep in mind as you plan your next dinner.  Next week I’ll share some great dinner ideas, as well as websites for some great recipe ideas!

Until then, stay safe and don’t forget to follow on twitter (@stickysidedwn).

Friday Five – Five Items I Don’t Leave The Station Without!

Okay, so I’ve talked about what five items I pack when I come to pull a shift, this week’s Friday Five is the five items I take with me on every call.  These are items that I like to have, need to have, or otherwise prefer to have on me when I’m running calls.  Honestly, these are items I have on me at all times. I don’t leave them on the truck during the shift, because as we all know – the prettier the item, the longer the legs it grows and the quicker it runs away!

Five Items For Every Call

1.  A good pair of boots - When I started in EMS, my station provided me with a pair of Red Wing Boots.  Man did I love those things. Steel toe, perfectly sized with a zipper.  It was heaven.  Then, after many years of wear and tear, after I’d finally gotten them broken in, I had to have them resoled, and wouldn’t you know – they didn’t fit the same!  The only other pair of shoes I found really comfortable were slip on Thorogood Boots. These things had an amazing amount of padding, were slip on and steel-toe. The only downside was that they were only ¼ boots and didn’t provide any stability for my ankles.  I’m actually thinking of getting another pair at FDIC.
   
2. Stethoscope – I was lucky enough to be given as a “good luck” gift a Cardiology III Stethoscope by Littman. This thing stays glued to my side for rotations and shifts. I recommend that you have your own stethoscope. It doesn’t have to be the highest cost, but having your own stethoscope means that it’s a piece of equipment that you are familiar with.  I definitely like having the Cardiology III.  It provides a reliable method of auscultation and I am thankful to have such supportive people while I go through Intermediate Class.
   
3. Cell Phone – I don’t know about you, but in our area, we have no guarantees that the hospital is going to answer the radio system (HEAR system) when we attempt to notify them of our patient information prior to arrival at their facility. We used to have a cell phone on the truck, but we all know what happens with that (too many people using it for personal business). I like to have my cell phone because it gives me a backup for contacting hospitals, Supervisors, dispatch, etc.
4. Clothing Layers – I have found that in losing weight, I’m more prone to becoming cold at the weirdest times, so I often layer. I will wear a tank top, a duty shirt, and a sweatshirt just so I have the ability to take a layer off as needed.  I’ll normally have a coat, but I’ll so rarely wear it because it just feels too bulky. But the last thing I want is to get too cold or too hot while at a call.
5. Wallet/EMT Card – It seems simple, but how many of you, if I asked could show me your EMT card without taking any steps?  It’s actually a requirement (at least in my state) that you carry your EMT card with you so that if someone asked to see it, you can show it immediately.  I have laminated my card so that if I accidentally wash it, it at least maintains some of its look.  But I keep it on me at all times.  As long as I have my license, I have my EMT card.  Do you?

 So, those are the five items I will always have on me during a shift.  Are there things you have every shift?  Share!

Until next time – stay safe! Don’t forget to follow on twitter (@stickysidedwn)

EMS Nutrition #6 – Healthy Lunch Recipes

As we discussed last week, lunches are an important way to make sure that you not only take in the portions of the food pyramid that you need, but also that you continue a day with strong food choices to help minimize the need and desire to snack.  Here are some great thoughts you should keep in mind when you are picking your lunch:

Sandwiches

Sandwiches provide an opportunity to obtain two of the servings of whole grain, as well as a protein and vegetable. They are also a simple meal that can easily be eaten in the truck, or while staged at a post.  When making your sandwich choose a whole grain/whole wheat bread ensures that you are having a filling sandwich that provides long-lasting energy. When making the sandwich skip the condiments such as mayonnaise, butter, or cream cheese, and choose mustard, avocado, or olive oil dressing. Also, choose meats that are a lean cut. Some sandwich options include:

Turkey on whole grain with mustard and romaine lettuce

Nutella and banana on a whole wheat bagel

Salads

Salads, while harder to eat on the go, which we do so often during this job.  Salads provide an opportunity to get vegetables, meat, and fruit depending on the type of salad that you make/purchase. While the crunch of iceburg lettuce is nice, the darker, leafier lettuces are a better option that provide a deeper nutritional value. This leaves Romaine, spinach, and arugula as good salad options. For vegetables consider carrots, peas, and grilled eggplant. For a meat, consider shrimp and chicken as a topping. Use caution when adding a salad dressing. If you are like me, you find it easy to slather on the salad dressing, but this can add enough fat and calories to make the salad nowhere near as healthy. Your salad dressing should be oil based and only about 1 tbs worth.

Soup

While not the best meal to try to eat on the go or in between calls,  soup does provide an opportunity to get a large serving of vegetables and protein. Stew or chili is a hearty lunch choice that will keep you full all afternoon. Fill the soup with chopped carrots and beans for protein and add chunks of lean beef or turkey. Chicken noodle soup can also be a healthy lunch option, as long as you use low-sodium broth, a small amount of noodles and plenty of vegetables.

So, whether shopping at the store for lunch or eating on the go, consider your options as you choose what you want as your mid day meal.

Until next week!  Remember – follow me on twitter (@stickysidedwn)

Friday Five – Five EMS Books Worth Picking Up

Okay, so I have a few ideas about lists, but since I’m on a big reading kick (probably thanks to my Kindle Fire, though it should be my Intermediate books), I thought this would be a good Friday Five.

Five EMS Books Worth Picking Up

1.  Incident Command for EMS - Come on, you honestly didn’t think i wasn’t going to pick this one did you?  I have to get a sales plug in when I can.  Honestly though, my hope is that in reading this book you, as an EMS provider, will realize that the expectation of your role at an emergency incident are much larger in scope than you may have initially realized. It’s also my hope that this book appeals to those who may already have knowledge of ICS by providing them “outside the box” concepts on other ways to utilize incident command theories.  Available at: http://www.pennwellbooks.com/inmaforems.html

2.  EMT Text - okay, so this really isn’t a specific text, but a generic type of text. but any text-book that supports the teaching of EMT is helpful. I happen to use the Brady Text Book: http://www.amazon.com/Emergency-Care-ebook/dp/B0057E3ZT2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328290152&sr=1-1.  I’ve also used the AAOS book. Regardless, the book should be utilized to support the teaching. But, I’ve also used the text in support of my writings (articles and books) as well as review to make sure I keep up on the basics.

3.  Basic Arrhythmias by Gail Walraven – This has become my go-to book for study rhythms (which I hate by the way).  It definitely breaks it down into a simpler method of analyzing the rhythms, which helps! http://www.amazon.com/Basic-Arrhythmias-7th-Gail-Walraven/dp/0135002389/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328291950&sr=1-1

4.  I Love a Firefighter by Ellen Kirschman - Okay, so while not technically an EMS book, I think this is a book everyone should read. and while the title says fireman, the information shared and the stories told could easily apply to those in the field of EMS.  I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is going in the emergency services field or their signficant others, because it definitely assists in helping understand the aspects of the job that are harder to face, as well as provides some coping mechanisms. – http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1593850638/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_g14_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1Q4G8VB3QD2CAW9BR3JG&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

5.  The Lighter Side of EMS by Steve Berry – There are multiple editions of this text/book and honestly any of them is a good pick me up. There is so much that can impact you on this job, that finding a book that can make you laugh is always a plus.  The cartoons are well drawn and the scenarios are something we all end up saying “I remember a time when…”. It definitely gives a different perspective on what can sometimes be overwhelming. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1455726990/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_g14_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0TJ73SEXB2ECBQEFENR2&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

 

So, those are five books that I think are a great addition to your library. Great for different types of uses and focuses.  What books do you have in your library that you would recommend?

Until next time stay safe and remember to follow me on twitter (@stickysidedwn)