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Post by jimano on Feb 16, 2016 15:54:44 GMT
Though winter weather conditions are not the only place where this is appropriate, the more extreme circumstances certainly dictate that EMS professionals be more aware of their surroundings. Things that we don't generally pay much attention to in summer need to be taken into account in winter, and remembering to look for these things is sometimes difficult. Things as simple as whether or not the giant icicles hanging over the main entrance of your patients home are going to be an issue upon extrication or as out of our control as the other drivers on the thruway when you respond to that unknown mva car in the ditch. A heightened sense of awareness is an absolute necessity.
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Post by joevfd on Feb 19, 2016 17:55:57 GMT
winter weather is tough on everybody responding fire ems or police agency's you have to use caution and common sense when responding to any type of emergency our safety comes first and if we cant get to the call safely then we didn't do our jobs.
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Post by jtstallone on Feb 27, 2016 16:03:19 GMT
Being an emt with a volunteer fire department, the challenges we face due to winter weather starts with trying to respond from ones house. If there is significant snow fall, before responding you have to worry about being able to access your vehicle which may involve shoveling a path to the vehicle and clearing the driving to access the road. Clearing the snow off your vehicle and scrapping the ice of your windows also contribute to the delay in response time to emergencies. Poor road conditions also contribute to longer response times and then once at the emergency location gaining access to the patient and extrication takes longer than usual whether it is at a patients house or on scene of a motor vehicle accident. Our safety is top priority and if we can not get to the call in one piece then then we would have delayed medical care for the patient even longer.
During the winter the cold affects us all on emergency scenes, especially if the emergency is outside. Depending on what the emergency is and how long we are required to be outside, whether it is a house fire or an extended extrication process from a vehicle accident, local companies and fire departments have been good about sending buses to keep the first responders warm.
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Post by kategetman on Mar 1, 2016 21:21:00 GMT
At Hamilton College, the winter weather can be challenging for us when it comes to patient safety. Because our school is constantly walking outside, this poses risks for hypothermia and frost bite on top of other injuries and medical emergencies. We are always reviewing cold weather protocol when winter months roll around, and I always make sure to move my patients to the nearest building to get them out of the cold for the remainder of the call.
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Post by bfrett on Mar 3, 2016 20:49:27 GMT
One really important aspect about winter weather is keeping yourself safe as well. Often I have found myself on calls outside where I am very cold, or my hands get very cold, and it becomes very hard to write, or to take a pulse or to do other aspects of patient care. First and foremost a medical provider must make sure that they can handle the weather. I make sure I have a hat, some gloves, and an insulated jacket underneath my uniform jacket. Moving cold patients to an ambulance or to warm buildings is also very smart for the EMT and the patient.
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Post by katecardinali on Mar 4, 2016 4:42:20 GMT
Dressing for the conditions is extremely important, theres nothing worse than not being warm enough underneath your turnouts in the winter, especially when you spend hours at a time on scene with terrible windchill. Take the time to think about this before heading out the door. Also, remember how the weather effects your patients too, make sure they have some form of warmth if there will be a prolonged period outside in the elements, exposure to extreme temperatures only compounds existing injuries/illness.
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Post by timdodge on Mar 10, 2016 19:32:26 GMT
A couple of other issues other than what have already been mentioned are extricating a patient in a rain or snow storm before the ambulance arrives. What do we do with the patient out in the elements. The other issue is filling out paperwork out in the rain or snow. It is very difficult.
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Post by marknicolettajr on Mar 10, 2016 20:34:23 GMT
I think that response time is without a doubt the biggest issue faced during the winter months. The road conditions getting to the patient are bad as it is. However, it is even worse for volunteer agencies where providers need to get to their station safely first. Access to the patient can also be hindered due to paths that are snowed in, making it a rough ride on the stretcher
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Post by Dennis R on Mar 16, 2016 19:50:33 GMT
Winter what fun for emts roads are not taken care of and for some they forget how to drive in the snow and you better watch your backs while tending to your patients
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Post by medic8 on Mar 20, 2016 2:57:42 GMT
I have always hated winter weather working in ems. Its just as stressful driving on a critical call in bad weather as it is to be in back. And if you are wondering, i am a paramedic and fully understand what goes on in the back on a bad call. And if the roads arent bad enough we have to worry about slipping on icy driveways and steps all the time, not to mention worrying about dropping someone we have to carry in these situations. I think we should all move south to avoid this.
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Post by sarahgamblin on Mar 20, 2016 14:35:43 GMT
At Hamilton College, the winter weather is difficult because it is a significant threat to patients who are constantly walking outside. One of the crucial parts of treatment may just be getting someone inside so the inclement weather does not do any more damage than may already be done. Another important aspect would be to ensure the EMTs are dressed appropriately, if we are rushing out and forget gloves or a hat, this can be a dangerous situation for the EMT. Keeping an extra set of gloves in the pocket of a jacket can prevent this type of problem, however the best solution for everyone on scene tends to be to move the patient to a warmer environment.
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