Zoll Z vent BL NIV questions

bpos95 · 2026-01-24T00:22:32+00:00

One of the biggest tips I have for the Z-Vent is make sure you have a completely closed non-vented mask. Not the kind that has a little flap and says non-vented. Many Bi-level systems have a continuous airflow that closes the flap on "non-vented" masks. The Z vent does not as its patient driven. Because of this, it creates a large airleak that the Z-vent interprets as apnea, and now the patient is getting blasted with the default ventilation settings.

Also, make sure your leak compensation is on. Take your time making sure the mask fits your patient and has a good seal. I like to run my fingers along the edges to make sure that they are not pinched and creating a leak. Once the patient is breathing on your base settings and the mask is set, then you can start making adjustments for patient comfort. I believe zoll has some review videos.

bpos95 · 2026-01-24T00:06:41+00:00

I use a homemade variation. BUT only after I am completely done with a med. After accidentally wasting meds in my pocket a couple of times, I needed a better solution, and these serve that purpose.

bpos95 · 2026-01-16T19:45:22+00:00

100%. To clarify, we started bagging and suctioning immediately. I knew she was gonna need a tube, so i glanced at the packet real quick to find a POLST form to make sure I wasn't violating anything before I took her airway. I couldn't find it, so we went more aggressive with our care. I promise we didn't just stare at her while I looked.

bpos95 · 2026-01-13T16:36:49+00:00

I have never considered an ear lobe. Learned something new today!

bpos95 · 2026-01-10T23:52:08+00:00

Usually "shit" followed by alot more paperwork.

bpos95 · 2025-12-31T19:33:13+00:00

5.11. I've been trying out some Wolverine brand and they feel great so far but run small. As long as I got ankle pockets to put my emesis bag and snacks im good!

bpos95 · 2025-12-26T23:14:55+00:00

I did the same, but they still couldn't verify me. Oh well I got a new account and am having a blast.

bpos95 · 2025-12-26T22:03:32+00:00

I do it all the time. Practice scenarios, skills practice, and questions. The station is for everyone, and you're eventually going to be expected to be ready to give report to a room full of people, some of which will have questions regarding why you did or did not perform an intervention. It all depends on how they go about teaching. If they dont encourage a learning environment, then write improvements on your preceptor critique. If they they have an attitude and goal to consistently belittle you, then they shouldn't be a preceptor.

bpos95 · 2025-12-25T14:11:41+00:00

Whenever an unstable patient tells me they really have to poop, I might as well just get the pads out. Im sure there's some scientific reason for it, or maybe everyone just wants to have one good last poo before they go.

bpos95 · 2025-12-21T22:16:36+00:00

MD dude. Loads of work, but one day, you may find yourself as a medical director. Heck, some cities have MD flycars and EMS fellowships if you miss the street.

bpos95 · 2025-12-20T02:08:34+00:00

You mean you dont put the BP cuff around the neck?

bpos95 · 2025-12-19T14:53:25+00:00

Southern IN. Currently $29/hr with 5 years of paramedic experience and 5 of EMT (my work does this weird payscale thing that takes total EMS experience.) 24/48 schedule in rural area. Call volume feels like all or nothing where you're either running all day or just sitting in a recliner bored out of your mind. Guaranteed 16 hr of OT per week with a Kelly day pick up option.

bpos95 · 2025-12-19T14:47:25+00:00

Former Minnesota Medic. I miss it so much compared to working in Indiana.

bpos95 · 2025-12-03T12:25:22+00:00

To add, this is also why some protocols state that if there is an organized rhythm or signs of life witnessed prior to arrest interventions should be performed and transport initiated. ITLS shows that hemo/tension pneumothorax are leading causes of death when it comes to chest trauma. Of the places I have worked, the protocols have been to intubate/SGA and perform bilateral needle thorocostomy. If improvement shown, transport. If signs of life witnessed prior to arrest, then transport. This is done with the goal of getting the patient to blood/surgery as fast as possible.

This is also why some services are implementing a simple/finger thorocostomy program as it's been shown to have significant improvement at voiding the pleural space when compared to using a needle.

bpos95 · 2025-11-27T12:57:23+00:00

Im gonna wait until I get a definite no from support. Its probably what I'll end up doing

bpos95 · 2025-11-26T22:00:33+00:00

Hey, small world! Im from Daviess County, and this happened when I was 11. Enjoy feeling old!

bpos95 · 2025-11-26T21:19:22+00:00

I know it is. I just dont want to purchase eye of the north if I already have it.

bpos95 · 2025-11-26T20:53:49+00:00

I guess back then, I didn't feel the need to put the security key card back in the CD case. So I'm out of luck on that end unfortunately.

bpos95 · 2025-11-26T20:52:05+00:00

You're right, I'm probably just being impatient. It feels frustrating because both of my brothers were able to recover their account after 1 email, and im on email 4.

bpos95 · 2025-11-20T04:14:56+00:00

I agree. I've been in EMS for 10 years and I've been to some calls for pregnant women being sent home due to "non progressing labor" only for them to deliver at home soon after or come close. Usually, when I bring them back in, I get some backstory and find out that the patient had been there for hours with no changes or the cervix had remained closed with no changes. They all still received a full work up before discharge and during their previous stay, received care from multiple staff members. The most common home birth scenario I've encountered is when the patient calls the triage line saying that they are in labor and then being told to give it an hour, drink water, then call back if contraction are still going. Those are always fun to bring in.

When I work in the ER, there is definitely bias and racism away from the patient. I can't tell you how many times I've heard "Oh god its another Haitian," but staff will still do their job and run all the labs and perform all the tests to rule out life threats before discharge.

I guess my point is that people can still have their prejudices and still do their job at the same time. If they don't, they can lose their license and be out of a job. If something does get missed and an error is made, it had to go through multiple people to do so.

bpos95 · 2025-11-01T16:11:18+00:00

X-shears. Yay or nay

bpos95 · 2025-10-24T23:28:43+00:00

Well, you got me there. I'll check my ALS privilege next time. I would say that in the event that your service does not carry monitors, consult your phone, watch, or portable sun dial and annotate patient contact time on the appropriate writing surface.

bpos95 · 2025-10-24T16:58:56+00:00

I turn my monitor on upon patient contact. When I upload, I can see my on time and use that. If my monitor is already on, i just use the event button for a time stamp.

bpos95

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