-=> Quoting David Linzer to John McAlpin <=-
 DL> Sounds good. I am not out to make it rich, but I want a career
 DL> where I don't have to worry if I can find employment. Also, I need a
 DL> change after working in a factory for 10 years.
I can imagine.
 DL> I need to find out what paramedics make in my area, as it is hard to
 DL> relate wages to different areas. Me and my fiance have a two-bedroom
 DL> apartment, about 900 square feet, for $475/month. Most smaller houses
 DL> here cost about $80,000. How does that compare to Austin?
Hum, not that cheap.  Certainly you could find apartments in that range.  
ut,
I doubt you'd want to live there.  Average around here for that size would be
around $650 (I think).  You can get into smaller houses for about the same.
 DL> this concern, though: I am thirty, and I have never done anything like
 DL> this before. I have no experience in even first-aid.
I started doing it as an occupation at age 29 myself some 8 years ago.  I'd
volunteered for a local agency for 6 months prior and did some teaching for
the Red Cross.
 DL> In my favor, I think, is the fact that I have always been good at 
cience
 DL> and math,
These are certainly good traits.  Common sense, compassion, good self 
ontrol,
and a willingness to help others are almost more favorable.  Sometimes our 
ob
is more of field social work than actual medicine.  And, even if it is real
medicine the patient/family/bystanders are more "impressed" by a caring
thoughtful presentation.  Of course it's the medicine that saves the lives.
But it's the "customer service" that will keep you without complaints and you
enjoying your job.  Just make sure you like dealing with diverse people and
don't mind the occasional VERY difficult to deal with folks.  Because let's
face it, we never catch folks at their best (or we wouldn't be there).
 DL> and I don't freak out at the sight of blood like many people.
And, even if you did you'd likely just plain get used to it.  There are 
hings
that I now do that I'd never have imagined myself doing before.  And, now I
think nothing of it.  The hard part is trying not to talk about them with
folks in restaurants (they hate that ).  ;-)
 DL> sounds like it's about a billion times more rewarding than what I'm
 DL> doing now.
It is rewarding.  But to be sure, it's not Rescue 911.  The "Big One" is very
rare.  The big bad trauma that they show on TV is typically the easiest call
you'll run.
Trauma is:
        1) If it's ugly, cover it up.
        2) Don't dingle-dangle onscene.  They need a surgeon, not you.
        3) Do advanced measures if you have time (typically you should be on
           the way before you start IV's etc.)
        4) We use news crews for their great camera lighting (besides, that
           way we know where they are).  ;-)
Not much thinking involved.  Give me an interesting medicine call that makes
me think anytime.
But, as opposed to Rescue 911, a typical day is:
        1) "take me to the hospital we don't have a ride, don't have
           insurance, and can't afford a taxi, and no you won't get paid
           either".
        2) Typical general illnesses that most folks would just see their
           doctor for.
        3) Alcohol related stupidity;
                A) I'm drunk help me. (take me to re-hab, who won't take them
                   because #1 they're always full anyway and #2 because they
                   have to be sober to start with.)
                B) He's drunk can't you help him (public nuisance).
                C) He's drunk and had a seizure (alcohol negates most seizure
                   meds and chronic alcoholism brings on the seizures in the
                   first place).
                D) He's drunk and he beat up Bubba.
                E) He's drunk and annoying so Bubba beat him up.
                F) He's drunk and drove his car and killed 2 people (but of
                   course "he's" okay).
                G) He's sick from other health ailments brought on by chronic
                   alcoholism.  (can you tell that I've acquired "brain
damage"                    about alcohol by working this job?)
        4) Cell phone calls that probably should never have been called in in
           the first place because the caller never stops to check things out
           (minor collisions, transients sleeping under bridges etc.)
        5) Collisions in general (usually very minor).
        6) The "regular" who calls because they're lonely or any other
           innumerable reasons.
        7) Psych calls (these are trying times).
        8) CYA calls (employers calling for something minor that they want to
           Cover Their #%^ with an Ambulance).
        9) Don't get me started on "Doc in a boxes" (minor emergency
           centers).
Please don't let this sound belittling.  These are important to folks.  And,
occasionally we actually run a call where we actually make a difference.  
nd,
those will last with you for months.  I live for that feeling of actually
helping someone.  It doesn't matter if it's "life-n-death" or just holding
someone's hand and listening to them.
So, as long as you don't think it's all TV portrayed stuff please join our
ranks.  Probably the best thing for you to do is to take an EMT course.
There, you'll get a good taste of what it's like.  You should get Clinicals 
n
both the Emergency Rooms and on an Ambulance.  You'll either love it or
decide on something else.  Besides the common sense information is good
throughout your life.  And, if you're ever in Austin you're more than welcome
to ride along with me anytime! :-)
Cheers,
      John
E-Mail: jmcalpin@eden.com
... Do you know what you call a Med Student who graduates "last" in his 
lass?
... Doctor!
--- GEcho/32 1.20/Pro
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