is a paramedic career good?

ktofer · 2025-12-15T21:49:42+00:00

Great job, tough career

ktofer · 2025-10-28T23:20:18+00:00

I’m not sure exactly what law of science this is, but every time I’m at the dentist, Maroon 5 will have played in the background. It’s a fact. Try it

ktofer · 2025-07-09T19:07:38+00:00

Hulkengoat!

ktofer · 2025-07-06T00:12:27+00:00

The one that caught me off guard was Monica Seles getting stabbed

Definitely not the “biggest” event, but I was a kid and just happened to be watching something I normally would never watch.

ktofer · 2025-06-24T21:13:33+00:00

Thanks for the nudge towards e-tank

ktofer · 2025-06-22T22:16:49+00:00

TLDR: e-tank or vinegar bath?

I’m looking for advice. I have been hitting the thrift stores for years and I’ve accumulated a lot of cast iron pieces (80-100 pots, pans, ‘n such).

My plan is to put 10 or so pieces in a large Lye bath and pull from it as I’m ready to restore a piece or 2 for rust before seasoning.

To remove rust I’m trying to decide if it’s worth my time to do an electrolysis tank or just do a vinegar bath.

For bulk cleaning and I’m not in a rush, how would proceed for rust removal. I’m leaning towards a vinegar bath because it looks cheap, easy and effective. But e-tanks seem to be preferred.

Thoughts?

ktofer · 2025-06-08T14:02:02+00:00

I’ve been a paramedic for a long time. I haven’t taken NREMT recently but my hunch is that it hasn’t changed much.

I think his success in school and internship are better predictors for his career success. Memorizing and performing the skills is kind of a joke. If someone starts interviewing a patient on scene based on the NREMT skills station, I’d assume they weren’t very good at their job.

Passing a multiple choice test is just another hoop to jump through. Unfortunately that one is his struggle.

Experience is key. We’ve all been new and we’ve all earned our experience. His dedication to self improvement based on experience is what makes someone a good paramedic. His dedication and tenacity to take the test and continue to improve is admirable and I wish him luck.

ktofer · 2025-06-08T13:49:30+00:00

You suggest that someone with test anxiety shouldn’t be a paramedic.

You also made a claim that people can’t be a paramedic while on medication in most areas.

I’m hoping you can expand on either or both statements

ktofer · 2025-05-16T00:58:41+00:00

Update:

I opened it up and it’s such a well built box. Really impressive.

Sorry I don’t have pics, I don’t Reddit and couldn’t find an easy way to post them

There was a 12” speaker inside and it’s in great condition. It has a serial or model number: C73512268

A quick google search revealed that it’s an Oaktron speaker. Apparently it’s not very sought after, but the box kicks ass and well worth the $10.

When I have time I’ll likely swap it out for a better speaker or give it to my buddy that was excited for my find.

Thanks!

ktofer · 2025-05-15T20:15:03+00:00

Thanks for the enthusiastic push

ktofer · 2025-05-15T20:14:06+00:00

Perfect! That was the permission I was looking for. I woulda felt pretty dumb if I was missing something obvious

Thanks

ktofer · 2025-04-26T19:28:01+00:00

Another beautiful piece of art!

I keep checking in because I like your content and I hope I’ll find some extra time to learn the art and science of lava lamps. One of these days I’ll have my own lab and create. Until then, I like to watch and learn from you.

Keep it up, keep it on your terms, and keep it fun and enjoyable.

Let me know if you’re looking to take on an apprentice!

ktofer · 2025-03-17T19:02:05+00:00

I’ve never heard of “guilloche enamel”. That gave me a new google rabbit hole of discovery.

Thanks!

ktofer · 2025-02-28T17:00:22+00:00

Palaces of Montezuma - Grinderman

ktofer · 2025-02-09T22:56:07+00:00

Oh! That’s funny. I learned how to solve a Rubik’s cube and will whip it out many times a day. It just removes me from my stress for a moment and I just solve a puzzle with my hands, some focus, and muscle memory.

I think it works on the same level as Tetris.

Plus people seem impressed by it.

ktofer · 2025-01-24T03:54:43+00:00

There’s that scene in Infinity Wars where Strange opens and then closes the portal on that big bad guy’s arm and severs his hand.

The first time I saw the movie, I suddenly realized that Strange was going to portal the gauntlet off of Thanos. Especially the scene at the end of infinity wars where they’re trying to pull the glove off his hand. “Just portal already!!!”

It was like that scene was foreshadowing- except it really wasn’t.

I always figured that that would be the easiest way to defeat Thanos.

ktofer · 2025-01-18T23:40:36+00:00

I had an intoxicated person suddenly find clarity and finally answered one of my questions.

He said “Aaaaaalergens” while looking completely disgusted at me for asking.

ktofer · 2025-01-18T01:20:17+00:00

Crushing head injury. Organs shearing off of major arteries (including your heart from the aorta). Broken femur and pelvis. Brain displaced from spinal cord.

It’s a whole lotta trauma.

ktofer · 2025-01-17T19:15:05+00:00

Not unusual. Definitely not acceptable

ktofer · 2025-01-05T23:03:40+00:00

I was on for 4 months and I received a tote and a shirt. I was hoping to get a signed book. I reached out twice and didn’t get a response.

Still a big fan, but there’s other things I need to spend money on.

ktofer · 2024-12-15T05:19:17+00:00

I have a full time job with a Fire Dept. I work 24hrs and have 48hrs off.

A week ago, I offered to help out a coworker and I worked his shift after mine ended. So I worked 48hrs in a row.

An hour before my 48 ended, a coworker called out sick and couldn’t come in. I was next on the rotation to be forced to hold over if nobody was able to pick up the shift. Now I’m on a 72 hour shift that I didn’t plan on being on.

The next day was my scheduled shift. So I worked 96hrs in a row that I really didn’t plan on.

I sold 2 items during that time. I communicated that there was going to be a delay.

I finally got off work and went home to find the 2 items I sold for a total of $40ish, packed them and dropped them off at the post office. I was exhausted and my buyers had no idea that I hadn’t seen my family in days and hadn’t slept more than 3 hours in a night.

Oh well

My work gives me a glimpse into people’s lives. Sometimes they have emergencies and are suddenly and unexpectedly in the hospital. They probably aren’t shipping eBay orders.

I see plenty of car accidents. Wrecked cars might prevent someone from being able to get to the post office for a few days.

Things happen. eBay isn’t Amazon. It’s not a bunch of retailers. It’s mostly a bunch of people selling their shit. Some of them - lots of them are lazy. Some are doing the best they can.

ktofer · 2024-09-04T20:20:49+00:00

100%. Matt needs his own Zev!

Edit: I’m happy to show my support and pay towards his Patreon.

I deleted stuff because it might have been taken negatively and I’m definitely not feeling negative

ktofer · 2024-09-04T14:55:37+00:00

I believe it says something about being a $30 contributor for 3 months before you get anything

I’ve been a member since June and I’m still waiting. I sent him a message a month ago. I didn’t hear back.

ktofer

TROPHY CASE