OPINIONS WANTED
So I sold all the bullets for reloading on GB over the weekend. Now I have $400 to spend on a new gun. Looking at a few things. SIG P250, P290 (used of course). Open to other handguns too...just need to keep it at $450 max. I see Cabelas has some stuff in that range. S&W M&P .22 for $399. What kind of stuff would you look for in that range.
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If you had the option of getting a .44 Magnum revolver with a 7.5" or 10.5" barrel which would you choose? This would be single action and for hunting only.
I originally wouldn't have even given the 10.5" a thought, but for some reason it is starting to grow on me.
Jon0 -
on the best cc holster for the SW40F, nice package and doesnt seem overly large for carry, but the main thing is the grips on this one are finally large enough to be comfy in my hand!
wasnt sure about the blast with a .40,more used to .357 and expected much more recoil with the resin frame but this sucker is nice!
o m0 -
Here lately I've been wanting a Hand cannon and been looking at a Ruger Super Redhawk 454 casull 9.5 inch barrel or Smith 460. This would be for a hunting rig right now i'm leaning to the ruger as I think it would be a better hunting rig. 0 -
I'm looking at getting my daughters (12 and 13) handguns for Christmas this year. I'm not really wanting to bust the bank, but I also want to avoid buying substandard weapons as well. They both have shot the Glock 17 in 9mm as well as the Springfield XD9 and did well with both, however, I would really like to stay below the $500 mark if possible.
With this in mind, what are your thoughts on the Century Arms Canik 55 TP-9 (9mm)?
http://usautoweapons.com/product.century-arms-tp-9-9mm-4-black-18-round0 -
I'm looking for your opinions from a community member point of view. I am an Emergency Medical Services Manager working for a hospital. Part of my job entails keeping the fire department Paramedics up to date with their education, certification, and quality assurance policies. Our Paramedics (like 99.99% of the Paramedics in the country) work under protocols written and approved by our EMS Director Doctors. These protocols allow the Paramedics to work independently of the Doctors and outline in writing what they (Paramedics) can and can't do in patient care in the field. The protocols outline what drugs and dosages to give in certain medical presentations as well as what other treatments are required in other circumstances.
Upon taking this position almost a year ago I have discovered that there has never been a protocol test for these Medics to take to insure that they know the material in the protocols they need to provide competent medical care. When compared nationally, a protocol test is standard in 99.9% of the EMS systems in the U.S.
Recently I have decided to develop and administer a protocol test in our system. Not only is this test being administered to prove competence of the protocols, it is also a tool to locate any problem areas in the knowledge of the protocols where we could in turn concentrate our training efforts to bring everybody up to speed. I feel that rather than subjecting the Medics to training that isn't necessarily immediately pertinent to their job function, I would rather concentrate training efforts on the subject matter that is definitely immediately pertinent to their job function. The test will also serve as a protection of liability for the hospital, and the Doctors of which licenses the Paramedics work under, and also a protection of liability for the fire departments that employ the Paramedics. And finally the test will serve as a tool to bring everybody up to a minimum level to prepare them for upcoming advanced tasks and skills that will be added to their plates in the coming year. My thought is that if they don't know the basic stuff now, what makes me think they will know, retain and understand the advanced skill-set that is coming.
The Medics will have two chances to pass the test with an 80% (standard pass rate for Paramedic level curriculum) then would be taken out of service and not allowed to practice as a Medic until they pass the test. I have taken every possible avenue to insure the medics would pass the test. I will go over questions and answers that come directly from the test during our monthly continuing education classes, the medics may come in to my office at any time I'm in to physically look at the test, their department's EMS training officers have a copy of the test to review with their Medics at anytime they want and the medics may take as many notes as they want during the process short of looking directly at the test and writing test questions down in transcription, and the test comes directly almost verbatim from the protocols they are already responsible for and should know.
I can tell you that I haven't had many quality assurance problems with our Medics which tells me that they are probably operating within the protocols, but also I can tell you that historically most EMS calls are routine and are the typical calls seen day-to-day. I want them to know the protocols to a degree that would allow them to run an unusually complicated call where they can truly make a difference in the patient outcome. With this in mind I must also tell you that the state only requires that I conduct a 10% QA and quite frankly I don't have the time to conduct more than that. I can also tell you that as EMS systems go, I live in a state where EMS education isn't taken very seriously and the level of knowledge of our Paramedics falls well below what the national expectations and level of knowledge is.
In initiating this test policy I have met much resistance from the fire departments and the Medics themselves stating the test is unfair and demeaning and that because they have passed the state and national tests (which don't include material specific to our EMS system), they shouldn't have to take the test. The departments have threatened to go to the hospital CEO if I continue to pursue the issue in attempt to get me released from my position.
In reading this, I am asking for your opinion from a community member point of view. How would you feel if your responding fire department took this stance of not wanting to take the test? Am I being too hard? Am I asking too much? Should I approach it differently? What do you think?0 -
I count 5 paragraphs were you give your very reasonable sounding point of view. And 1 were you give thiers.
Honestly, I would need more info on their point of view.0 -
IMO paramedics are over rater personal who think thet are GOD. i belong to a small rescue squad and fire department. our success rate with patients was always much better till the goverment put it's big nose in and created paramedics. i am sure paramedics have their place i wont dispute that, but in our area we have a hospital within 18 miles in three directions. 0 -
I dont think 80% is high enough when it comes to dealing with other peoples lives..
For instance my Doctor has a 97 percent recovery rate for AAA procedures,
I would like to think that the guy or gal From EMT has a 97 percent chance of being right when giving me some treatment prior to getting to the hospital.
Lack of that knowledge Killed my Father, an EMT over sedated him and upon ariving at the hospital additional sedation was administered and killed him..[:(]0 -
You are being more than fair. Stick to your guns. If the crybaby Paramedics want to sit on their butt and watch the Superbowl, rather than study for this test, and if they can cause you to lose your job over this, then screw it, you don't want the job anyway. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Classic095
I dont think 80% is high enough when it comes to dealing with other peoples lives..
For instance my Doctor has a 97 percent recovery rate for AAA procedures,
I would like to think that the guy or gal From EMT has a 97 percent chance of being right when giving me some treatment prior to getting to the hospital.
Lack of that knowledge Killed my Father, an EMT over sedated him and upon ariving at the hospital additional sedation was administered and killed him..[:(]
Sounds like more of lack of communication to me or someone passing the buck.
The additional dose given at the hospital killed him. Right?
I always thought that the paramedics were in contact w/a real doctor anyway. Remember "Rampart he's going into shock." "OK Give him 4 units of Ringers lactate."
I guess that was TV?0 -
as a plumber, i had 4 years of school,a written test,and a hands on test to prove my competence. plus i have to have 8hrs. of continuing education per year. if my life was on the line i would want to know the guy/gal that was there to help me was competent and had to prove that competence. plus it might lower any liability by having them take tests. 0 -
a pre employment protocol exam is pretty standard around here. you either know it or you dont.
however it is a little rocky being the new guy coming into a system that has been in existence for xx years and doing fine as and instituting new policies. best bet is to prepare a presentation for the board of directors of whomever they are threatening to report you too regarding how you feel this will help improve the quality of care in your service and let them decide whether to institute the policy or not. i say go that route because you are the new guy, they are an assembled mass of vested employees. if it comes down to a pissing contest, they could win. if they, for example, threatend to strike, the board might put you out. easier to replace one director than an entire road staff.0 -
I have sent you an email. 0 -
It's your job to educate and certify the paramedics according to your facilities system, where lies the problem. Present your current plan to those above you, anyone with a lick of sense should commend you for attempting to ensure these folks are properly trained. One saved lawsuit will more than cover the whining and bitching from FD and paramedics, your making them accountable how dare you. Just because they are certified by the state and xx amount of years training, doesn't make them qualified for the system your hospital has in place. 0 -
Dave, check your email! Thanks! 0 -
I'd tell them, "You can learn and take the test and hopefully do your job right, which is what most EMT's amd PM's want. Or, you can not learn it, fail the test and be released from your mundane job." Every job worth having these days calls for continuing education. If you don't care enough about your job to ensure that the county has competent personnel, prepare for a lawsuit or 12. Have you ever heard of vicarious liability? 0 -
Sent you an e-mail. 0 -
Thanks Handload! 0 -
Sounds to me like their very lucky to have you. Here in Va. they have changed the EMS System around, you have EMT B(Basic) EMT A(Advanced)and Paramedic to obtain your paramedic now you must go to college 2 yrs. 0 -
If you force this issue, you WILL lose your job.
Doug0 -
This is a basic ethics issue. What is more important to you:
1. Making sure your paramedics are competent in their job, insuring their patients are given the best possible treatment and chance to survive.
Or
2. Making no waves and insuring your job security.
Simple choice.0 -
Well after some of the comments here I am almost afraid to tell you what I do, but I am sure you will figure it.
I have yet to work anywhere that has a "protocol" test, but I know of many places that do, mind you these are PRE-employment tests. If you are doing proper on going education and good QA/run reviews you will find out where your problems are.
I am going to stay out of the are you right/wrong part. I will say I think you would have much better luck doing more on going training/education (CME) like weekly/bi-weekly classes. Most tax based (not private) departments have some kind of at least monthly training to keep up on their skills and be able to pass the tests they need to keep certifications. I know I have to take 100hrs of training every 3 years AND show that I can perform many of my skills just so I can take the test. This is stuff that I have to do to keep my Cert even if my department had 0 requirements.
As a Medic you do not take A test, get out of school and never train again. It takes lots of time to keep this up, and if you work for a private company you do it at your own time and expense.
quote:IMO paramedics are over rater personal who think thet are GOD.
I know there are many that are like that and in my department we tell them what we think of them. But please dont look at all of us like that, there are more good then bad.
quote:...a hospital within 18 miles in three directions...
That is a long long time when you are not breathing or your heart has stopped. In the field I can do almost everything (not a couple of last chance, why not drugs) as the ER docs can do.
quote:I always thought that the paramedics were in contact w/a real doctor anyway. Remember "Rampart he's going into shock." "OK Give him 4 units of Ringers lactate."
I guess that was TV?
Protocols and how the system works can vary greatly from state to state. There are 2 basic different kinds of protocols On-Line and Off-line. On-line are ones where you have to call in and talk to a DR prior to doing that procedure. Off-line (standing orders) are ones that we can procedures that we can do any time they are needed with out talking to a DR. Most of my system is standing orders with only some of the least used/more "dangerous" procedures having to be called in for. Some systems still have to call in for a lot of things. Keep in mine Emergency was from a long time ago when medics were unheard of.0
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