Do you ever have a …. shhhhh … “quiet day” on the ambulance, spending hours sitting at a station or posting on the road. What do you after you have completed the rig check, taken a long nap, finished station duties, and watched three episodes of CSI?
Try these 10 Everyday EMS Tips for your next slow shift:
1. Read a professional magazine. I always have a few issues of EMS Magazine, JEMS Magazine, and other professional publications to catch-up on. Reading just 30 minutes a day about news, best practices, innovations, and more in your field will help you stay at the top of your profession.
2. Get some exercise. Bryan Fass, a paramedic and licensed athletic trainer, has written an ebook for emergency responders and frequently blogs about exercises to perform on duty to increase strength, flexibility, and endurance.
3. Go above and beyond with station duties. When was the last time someone walked the grounds around your station to pick-up litter? (bonus tip: this is a great duty to perform when your supervisors are arriving at the station.)
4. Read blog posts from your favorite EMT and Paramedic bloggers. My favorite blogs to stay up-to-date with during downtime are the EMTSpot, Medic 999, Happy Medic, Rogue Medic, and Random Acts of Reality. (bonus tip: find lots of EMS blogs at paramedic.alltop.com)
5. Listen to an EMS Podcast. Use your mp3 player, iPod, smartphone or stream through a computer with a web connection. My favorites are the EMS Garage and the Medic Cast.
6. Complete a continuing education lesson. RapidCE.com has more than 100 hours of CE lessons. RapidCE remembers where you left off so if you are called out you can restart the lesson where you left off.
7. Write a post for your own blog. Blogging is a useful tool for sharing information, reflecting on your experience, and creating community with other EMS Professionals. If you don’t have a blog it is easy to start a blog using WordPress.com or Blogger.com.
8. Write and submit an article to a professional magazine or website, state or regional EMS organization newsletter, or to your own department’s website.
9. Participate in an EMS Social Network. Make friends, contribute to discussions, and share information. Connect with me at EMSConnect.com.
10. Learn about EMS in other cities, states, or countries by doing a simple Google search. This Wikipedia article describes EMS in Germany.
