Oxygen therapy for first responders – July 2015 There was a time in pre-hospital practice where the administration of oxygen therapy was considered so routine that it was simply part of early management. The responders entered the room, introduced themselves, […]
Continue ReadingThe paramedic food hierarchy triangle
Continue ReadingThe paramedic food hierarchy – July 2015 To the outside world, few things say paramedic more than blood, guts, trauma or cardiac arrest. That’s true. Inside the paramedic world though few things say paramedic like the food you eat. This […]
Continue ReadingThe Gen Y – July 2015 I love Gen Y. I hate generalising, I hate stereotyping and I hate applying a sweeping approach to an entire generation of people. Most of all I hate Gen Y generalising, stereotyping and bashing. […]
Continue ReadingThe last words – July 2015 The last words a person utters in their life are seen by many as critical. Perhaps they reflect their last thoughts and give insight into their mind at that moment. I was once asked […]
Continue ReadingLower airway respiratory problems – July 2015 Many airway problems are located in the upper part, particularly at the back of the throat. However beyond the vocal cords into the middle and lower airways a number of other breathing difficulties […]
Continue ReadingUpper airway respiratory difficulties – July 2015 When assessing a patient with any illness, it is a good rule to always assume the worst. In this way there can be little chance of underestimating the severity of the illness. Respiratory […]
Continue Reading12. Managing breathing difficulty – July 2015 When managing the patient with breathing difficulty there are key actions to do and key actions to not do. These include positioning the patient, maintaining effective ventilation and avoiding causing any exertion. The […]
Continue Reading10. Respiratory assessment for first responders – July 2015 The respiratory system is capable of very different presentations. The difference between resting breathing that caters only for basic body needs and the great increase needed for light and heavy exercise […]
Continue ReadingThe respiratory system basics – July 2015 Human body cells require oxygen and an energy source with the ability to remove waste material after. The respiratory system is half of that process being responsible for delivering oxygen from the air […]
Continue Reading8. Nitrate therapy for first responders – July 2015 Glyceryl Trinitrate (GTN) comes in various presentations for use including transiderm patch applied to the skin, externally applied paste, an orally administered spray and fluid to inject into veins. Some of […]
Continue Reading47. The effect of heat on children in vehicles As with adults, the effect of elevated temperature on infants and children can be devastating. Heat stress is the initial discomfort from environmental cause followed by heat exhaustion. Dehydration and elevation of […]
Continue Reading7. Pre-hospital heart attack (Acute coronary syndrome) – July 2015 Chest pain is a concern for one major reason. Within the chest are important organs critical to life. Any problem within the chest has the potential to be significant and […]
Continue Reading24. I fell asleep on the job – July 2015 I once fell asleep on the job. In fact, I have fallen asleep on the job a couple of times now that I think about it. I don’t mean lying […]
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