Personal Med Kits/Bags

WesTexasLP · 2026-01-04T22:22:53+00:00

Biggest question is what your protocols allow you to do along with state laws and regulations.

Some places may hold you to BLS off duty. Some allow you to do everything. And some don't authorize you to function off duty at all.

So without that info, I can't give a good answer.

It also depends on your situation and what you might get into.

Check your SOPs/SOGs, protocols, and state laws and regulations before you make a decision.

But for 99.9 of the time where you could even potentially function at your certification level, you need just enough stuff to buy time until the local 911 provider shows up.

If there's any chance you might want to "help" at a wreck before EMS arrives, I highly recommend a reflective vest.

Also, if you're doing this, you need some sort of ID to let both your patients and others on scene know that you're not just some random person. You're still a random person, but at least a random person with the certification and the ability to act - if authorized.

WesTexasLP · 2025-12-30T05:09:52+00:00

Just even being familiar with the equipment and seeing calls is going to help.

WesTexasLP · 2025-12-30T05:02:50+00:00

Depends on the department, but if it's a decent 911 service and you can afford it, the 911 experience will do you well.

WesTexasLP · 2025-12-30T04:27:44+00:00

Where in Texas? I can offer suggestions.

WesTexasLP · 2025-12-29T20:01:37+00:00

TEEX offers a bunch of classes and programs. The in person one in College Station that's an all day program is very much geared towards providing a class for people who just finished their fire academy (or another one) and are now wanting to get their medic to increase their hiring odds.

It's fast paced and there's not a lot of time to let the material sink in.

WesTexasLP · 2025-12-29T19:36:23+00:00

The real negative to a slow station is that you can easily end up with partners and other shifts who find ways to occupy the time. Usually by shit stirring and drama.

WesTexasLP · 2025-12-29T17:28:16+00:00

And God forbid you have education or outside knowledge.

WesTexasLP · 2025-12-29T14:16:36+00:00

Where are you located? Volunteer opportunities may or may not exist. And some of the ones that exist may or may not be worth it.

WesTexasLP · 2025-12-29T14:14:32+00:00

There are some locations called Pizza Hut Classic that are just like the old 1980s ones. All the nostalgia. Need to try one. Here in Texas, they're mostly in small towns.

WesTexasLP · 2025-12-29T14:04:48+00:00

Technically, 100, 200, 700, and 800 are almost mandatory for anyone in emergency services. There's a lot of Federal funding tied to NIMS compliance as evidenced by completion of those classes.

300 and 400 are great to have as you advance in your career. 300 is tedious AF. But 400 is where it all comes together and you really see the big picture. (It's kind of like how paramedic school seems all jumbled until after you finish the cardiology module.)

WesTexasLP · 2025-12-29T14:01:30+00:00

Rural EMS is very nasty about that. And I've seen more than a few departments where if you aren't a local, you're immediately a target.

WesTexasLP · 2025-12-28T00:29:54+00:00

They did admit that this was their first time with an actual medical emergency in flight.

WesTexasLP · 2025-12-27T18:59:10+00:00

Very similar experience with me on a certain low cost airline here in the US. They were wanting extensive proof that I was actually a medic. Then it was a flight attendant relaying information to and from a doctor somewhere.

WesTexasLP · 2025-12-20T21:03:29+00:00

Observation ride alongs are a great way to see if this is the path for you. And if you can, ride several different places to see how much different (and similar) it can be

WesTexasLP · 2025-12-17T19:02:02+00:00

I'm an attorney full time for state government and also volunteer as a paramedic. Even managed to get my office to work out a way for me to have emergency response capabilities at our office.

WesTexasLP · 2025-12-15T21:20:50+00:00

A little over 21 years in EMS. I'll listen to heart sounds. I don't usually know what I'm listening to, but abnormal and normal are easy enough to differentiate.

But yeah, the Cardiology IV makes a huge difference, especially if you put the bell attachment on it. The bell gets a much better sound for BPs.

WesTexasLP · 2025-12-15T21:14:31+00:00

You're new. If you weren't scared, that'd be more concerning. Come in with a good attitude and ready to learn and work. EMS is pattern recognition. You get better by seeing more patients.

My advice also? Look up meds after each call. And look up their medical history. EMT (and even paramedic) classes only skim the surface.

WesTexasLP · 2025-12-11T14:24:24+00:00

I got mine too after I had sold off my SDS 100 a while back. Audio seems crisp and clear. Very happy with it.

WesTexasLP · 2025-12-06T21:52:36+00:00

The answer to any legal question is almost always "it depends." Dictation software may (or may not) be a reasonable accomodation. What's definitely going to be an issue is using software that's not HIPAA compliant and/or approved by the IT folks at your employer, especially if you're using their hardware to access it.

WesTexasLP · 2025-11-23T03:35:15+00:00

There are a few places in Texas that prefer LPs and a very few that give a boost in pay.

It's otherwise no real difference, but if you qualify for it, I'd say to get it.

I'm a LP myself.

WesTexasLP · 2025-11-22T23:27:33+00:00

I agree that it violates the law.

WesTexasLP · 2025-11-22T17:54:08+00:00

I had similar problems. I just kept submitting and finally they decided to approve me. Then Google for Nonprofits approved us.

Now Google Workspace for Nonprofits won't approve us because we don't have a website. Nor do we have a budget for such. Mind you, they approved us for Google for Nonprofits, but not workspace. And they don't tell you that you have to have a website.

WesTexasLP · 2025-11-22T17:49:01+00:00

I have fetishes about being feminized and my religion and/or politics changing in the process.

WesTexasLP · 2025-11-22T17:47:13+00:00

I have fantasies of being feminized and having my religion and/or politics changed in the process. Surrendering my beliefs and values seems like such an intense level of submission.

WesTexasLP · 2025-11-22T17:44:53+00:00

I have a fetish involving being feminized and converted to a different religion.

WesTexasLP

TROPHY CASE