EHS 1105

1. EHS 1105 A Survivor’s Manual

2. Overview • Ambulance Operations is a class that takes determination, skill, and persistence in some cases (some take it multiple times) • This presentation is designed to help the new EMT students. Illustrated in this presentation are the more commonly made mistakes in Ops. • The information is presented in a helpful list of do’s and Do Not’s

3. Backing the Ambulance • On the IHCC campus, we are not allowed to back the ambulance without a spotter. • The spotter must be positioned at the driver’s side rear corner. • The spotter is needed for purposes of safety and protection of property.

4. Bad Backing • Failure to use a spotter • Spotter on wrong side • Failure to heed spotter • Results could include: • Running over spotter • Running over others • Hitting property • Damage to ambulance • Writing incident report • Getting yelled at by Dave

5. Stretcher Use • Practice, practice, practice • Using the stretcher is harder than it looks • The sheet should be clear of the gears • Communicate - look into partner’s eyes • Make sure wheels are locked • Be smooth, try not to bump • Use good body mechanics

6. Don’ts - Stretcher Use • Don’t injure yourself by using bad body mechanics or lifting more than you can. • Don’t drop the patient - make sure the stretcher is locked - a fall could injure the patient severely. • Don’t damage the stretcher - be careful with IHCC equipment. • Remember that not all ambulances have a “catch” for the stretcher - Watch what you are doing. • Don’t push/pull the stretcher at the wrong position. You could injure your back doing so and it puts the patient in a precarious position. • When traveling, patient’s feet should lead. Failure to do so could result in patient anxiety. • Don’t pretend to know how to use the stretcher if you don’t - it puts everyone at risk for injury. • Don’t get yelled at by Dave.

7. Do’s - Safety Inside the Ambulance • Remember to check the patients pockets for anything that could be used as a weapon. • Ask PD to ride with you if you feel it is necessary. • Make sure an unconscious patient is really unconscious

8. Don’t - Safety Inside the Ambulance • Don’t wait until the ambulance is moving to find out that your patient has a weapon. • Don’t get your ambulance hijacked by your patient who is looking for drugs. • Don’t put your crew members safety at risk. • Don’t assume anything - Is the scene safe? Should you be there in the first place? • Don’t get yelled at by Dave.

9. Do’s - Ambulance Environment • Know where your heat controls are located. • If the crew members need jackets then the patient needs blankets. • The patients comfort is more important than your own comfort.

10. Do Not’s - Ambulance Environment • Note the lack of blankets & sheets - the result is the patient is freezing cold. • Don’t forget about the patients needs - Ask the patient if they are too cold/hot ect… • Don’t get yelled at by Dave.

11. Do’s - Driving • Ambulance rigs have wide wheel bases - Make wide turns to compensate. • Stay on the road. • Keep your attention on your surroundings. • Remember that there is a patient and crew members in the back - Drive smooth and gentle. • No lights and sirens in Ops class.

12. Do Not’s - Driving • Don’t toss the people in the back around by driving recklessly. • Don’t run over curbs - it hurts. • Don’t run over bad terrain without warning the people in the back. • Don’t break the driving laws. • Don’t get yelled at by Dave.

13. Do’s - Inventory • It is the crews responsibility to make sure that the inventory is checked and stocked in the ambulance prior to class. • Know where the equipment is in the rig. • Make sure you have every size of every piece of equipment. • Know how to use the equipment. • If you are missing equipment notify the lab assistant prior to class.

14. Do Not’s - Inventory • Don’t start class missing equipment - you are not the only ones using the rigs. • Don’t get caught using the wrong size equipment • Don’t lose equipment on scene. • Don’t get yelled at by Dave.

15. Do’s - End of Class • Shut off both batteries - switch on dash and switch on drivers seat. • Turn off all accessories in • the rig (lights, heat, ect…) • Lock all doors. • Plug the ambulance into the shoreline. • Return keys to the lab assistant. • Write your run reports before the end of class. • Drop of dirty laundry at the hospital in the activities bldg.

16. Do Not’s - End of Class • Don’t kill the battery by leaving them on overnight. • Don’t forget to plug in the ambulance. • Don’t leave the ambulance in a mess. • Don’t leave the ambulance under stocked. • Don’t get killed by Dave and Champheng.

17. Conclusion • We hope that these points have helped answer any questions you may have and help you not make the mistakes that we made. • Remember that you are supposed to make mistakes in Ops so you can learn from them and not make those mistakes on real patients. • Most colleges don’t have this opportunity for EMT’s - Remember to use this as a learning experience to help you as a paramedic student. • Getting yelled at by Dave isn’t the end of the world but it is unpleasant.