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EMS Tips News and Events

Severe Bleeding Control Before Triage

What do you think – stop all severe bleeding before any additional patient triage? I think we will soon see a paradigm shift in active shooter response and patient triage systems- Stop all bleeding first BEFORE you start triage. START, SORT, SALT, etc are all going to be a thing of the past soon. #EMS […]

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EMS Tips News and Events Operations

What if a mass murderer survives shootout with police?

The Tree of Life shooter survived his shootout with police. Many, but not all, active shooters have suicide as the final act in their despicable, murderous plan. For those who don’t EMS may be called upon to triage, treat and transport the shooter. Read Rapid Response: Is EMS response different when the active shooter survives? on […]

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EMS Tips

What the MUCC? Evidence based MCI triage method

The Model Uniform Core Criteria for Mass Casualty Incident Triage, or MUCC, is a standard set of guidelines that all mass casualty triage systems should follow. The MUCC is intended to ensure consistency among responders when triaging patients at a mass casualty incident. The SALT Triage System is the only triage method which currently meets the Model Uniform […]

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EMS Tips

No, It’s Not too Soon to Discuss This Mass Shooting

I write about mass shootings, mass murders and school massacres. It’s not a morbid curiosity. It’s part of my job to share insights, share resources and put a local event into context for a national audience. One the most frequent critiques I receive from headline readers is the “It’s too soon” with variations of grieving […]

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EMS Tips

EMS Tips – Training Games – FirstNet Quiz – Vehicle in the Window

1. Virtual and augmented reality games train teachers, first responders There are lots of ways to prepare teachers, students and first responders for an active shooter incident. A grant-funded project is using virtual reality (Military1.com) to simulate an active shooter incident at a school. “The United States Army and Homeland Security Department are in the midst […]

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News and Events

MEDRILLS – App Giveaway – EMS Skill Instruction Apps for Tablets and Smartphones

MEDRILLS has a rich collection of smartphone and tablet apps for learning and virtual practice of EMT and paramedic skills. In the comments share which app you would like to have most (if you want to add a “why” … even better). On Friday, January 4, at 07o0 CT I will randomly choose 3 winners […]

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EMS Tips

4 Tips from an Experienced Paramedic

Reader David Elliot wrote me with these great tips: 1. Tape a copy of the APGAR parameters to the OB kits 2. Tape a copy of the rule of 9’s (adult and ped) to the burn sheets 3. Use the Broselow Tape to measure EVERY child or infant on the routine asthma’s, falls and febrile […]

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Press Release

Press Release: Triage Link App for the iPhone and iPad

Divergent Technology, a Vermont company, has created an iPhone/iPad application that lets EMS providers quickly and accurately track patient vital signs and other pertinent patient care data. Collecting patient information is difficult during chaotic emergency medical scenes. Traditionally, call data has been collected onto pre-printed ‘crib sheets’, notebooks, gloves, sheets, pillowcases, or whatever is in […]

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EMS Education Tips

Triage Tuesday – Does your agency practice triage regularly?

Fortunately, few of us have had to triage 5, 17, 31, or more patients at a mass casualty incident. Unfortunately, our triage skills and equipment stagnate from infrequent use. The goal of Triage Tuesday is for EMS and hospital staff to periodically triage patients using START and JumpSTART (or other triage method). Regular use of […]

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News and Events Press Release

Press Release: iPhone App for Managing Mass Casualty Incidents

“MCI Triage” is an iPhone App for EMS paramedics, ambulance officers, firefighters, law enforcement and other emergency service personnel to help manage mass casualty incidents. It builds on the Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment (S.T.A.R.T.) system, originally developed in 1983. With simple button prompts and on-the-fly calculation of triage categories, “MCI Triage” makes it easy […]