Crew members!

Corries Pookey · Senior Member

RE: Crew members!

Red Riding Hood · Veteran Member

Thanks for the invite Tammy, I'm sure I have your number around somewhere and will let you know if we can make it over

debbyj · Member

hi....This is my first year...I'll be on the Pit Stop crew!

My common law spouse will be riding the 200K but there's no way I would do that so this is my way of helping out too!

Any tips for packing up sleeping bags and stuff? I was thinking of using a large rubbermaid tote? Would that work ok do you think?

hypermama · Veteran Member

for packing I have a large backpack - roll the sleeping bag up tight, pillow too and stuff inside. with my foamie strapped to the outside. pjs, undies, socks, pants/shorts, toiletries. chances are we'll get a 2nd tshirt for the 2nd day so thats basically all you'll need. I didn't get a shower last year - I figured the riders needed it more than I lol, so I didn't have a big towel or shower stuff.

you can only have one bag - and it has to hold everything. you have to move it yourself as well.

nomofica · Veteran Member

Will you be doing the same again this year Mike? I'm just curious if we'll have any first aiders out there (though I'm sure there are plenty of people with their first aid certificate).

As for bags, I'll most likely only have on bag to carry my spare clothes, my sleeping bag, pillow, possibly an extra blanket (the medical tent gets real cold at night), and my medical gear (stethoscope, manual blood pressure sphymomanometer and and automated sphyg, nitrile medical gloves and CPR mask).

Psycho Mike · Guru

Nomofica...you betcha I'm doing double duty again :)

Though this year, I'm packing the "on the bike" kit a heck of a lot lighter. Last year I brought it all (my full MFR kit minus airway/O2 and collars), this year I'm focusing a bit more on the more likely stuff. I'm going to take it down to steth, manual sphyg, mask, emerg blankets, 4x4's, water, band-aids, cold pack or two and such....what one needs for minor stuff, road rash and holding things together until a bus or shuttle can transport.

nomofica · Veteran Member

In all honesty that sounds like overkill on it's own as a first aider. I don't even bring med supplies aside from my personal sphygs and steth, and usually gloves because I'm picky and can't stand sandwich-lady gloves. If I'm gonna be using any supplies, it's gonna be theirs. No sense for it to cost me money.

Psycho Mike · Guru

I've got it so I don't mind bringing it...but I'll replace anything I use from their supplies ;) Shouldn't cost me anything either.

The tubes, mask, cuff and gloves are items I look at as mandatory and/or personal preference items. I don't like sandwith joint gloves either ;)

-- Edited by Psycho Mike on Friday 18th of June 2010 12:38:18 AM

nomofica · Veteran Member

If anything requires O2, there are medics on standby with their ambulance. There's enough air in their lungs to last them the time it takes for Fire/EMS to show up with their gear.

hypermama · Veteran Member

just wondering guys.....what are your medical professions? just being curious. :)

my sister in law just passed her paramedic test so is now a real bona fide paramedic (now if she could get a job...)

nomofica · Veteran Member

I'm an Emergency Medical Responder and volunteer firefighter. Plan to get my EMT-A when I can afford it.

hypermama · Veteran Member

interesting...whats the difference between EMR and an EMT?

nomofica · Veteran Member

The scope of practice for an Emergency Medical Responder is very, very limited. No drugs (aside from ASA, Salbutamol, ipratroprium bromide, oral glucose and oxygen - cannot administer epinephrine but can assist if the patient's thumb is on the injector button). EMT-As can administer a variety of drugs. Essentially EMR is advanced first aid with some more skills thrown in.

hypermama · Veteran Member

interesting....always wondered but didn't have anyone to ask (other than the sister in law and well I glaze over when she starts yakking) thanks!

nomofica · Veteran Member

Well now you know!

Psycho Mike · Guru

nomofica wrote:

If anything requires O2, there are medics on standby with their ambulance. There's enough air in their lungs to last them the time it takes for Fire/EMS to show up with their gear.

Exactly. No need to haul that weight (though with some of the hills I would have been tempted to dip into the bottle last year ;) )

Psycho Mike · Guru

Hehehe.

Hypermama, I'm actually an engineer by trade. In my spare time I'm a Medical First Responder (MFR)with St. John Ambulance's Community Service volunteers. The closest comparison for a professional level would be an EMR like Nomofica, but what we can do is a bit more limited.

MFR's can give oxygen and assist with medications, though the EMR's salbutamol, ipratroprium bromide and glucose are outside of what we can do. The MFR training is far beyond just a standard first aid course, but not as much as an EMR.

hypermama · Veteran Member

interesting, quite the variety in levels isn't there. I had no idea - although now I just remembered that I need my updated first aid courses....lol

nomofica · Veteran Member

Just out of curiosity, Mike... Are you able to insert nasopharyngeal and orapharyngeal airway adjuncts or do suctioning? I'm not familiar with the MFR scope of practice. Also, are you trained in KED, nebulizer, etc, usage?

Red Riding Hood · Veteran Member

Sheesh way to take over the crew board with a bunch of medical terms and info lol.

nomofica · Veteran Member

Thanks, I try. :)

hypermama · Veteran Member

and I had to ask....hee hee. lol

Psycho Mike · Guru

nomofica wrote:

Just out of curiosity, Mike... Are you able to insert nasopharyngeal and orapharyngeal airway adjuncts or do suctioning? I'm not familiar with the MFR scope of practice. Also, are you trained in KED, nebulizer, etc, usage?

Hehehe

Well, OPA's are part of our kits, but NPA's aren't (we have the background, but NPA's are not in our scope of practice). We do suctioning and have manual suction devices in our kits. We also do BVM's, collars, boards, helmet removal and such.

We learn and do hands-on work with KEDs, but it is more for assisting the next responders...we don't typically do extraction so it is not something we usually deal with. Most of us can set up a neb, but we don't do the meds as part of our scope, so officially we're just another set of hands in that regards.

Realistically, we're as close to EMR as we can get without having ACP involved and having to pay annual dues. :)

Psycho Mike · Guru

We're part of the crew too, Red ;)

hypermama · Veteran Member

nice to know that if anything happens....we're in good hands. lol

not that I imagine having much problems in my truck (yeah...love my truck). lol

just got set up with my cocaptain today. oh boy going to be a great weekend.

nomofica · Veteran Member

Well I'm nowhere near the most advanced trained personnel in the medical crew, that's for sure. Last year we had 3 or 4 CCRNs (critical care registered nurses), and three EMRs (one of which was in EMT class so if he's back this year we'll have an EMT on hand). This all in addition to the paramedic and EMT that were on standby with their ambulance and equipment. You're definitely in good hands. :P

Mike - I'm slightly jealous. ACP is a slight pain in the financial rump. And AHS is a huge pain in any rump you can think of...

hypermama · Veteran Member

its impressive the amount of support there is. I've done the breast cancer walk every year since it started (not this year) broke my foot last year and was well taken care of.

nomofica · Veteran Member

Yes, it is impressive. This year I know we'll at least 3 EMRs (two of which are firefighters - including myself), more than likely the same CCRNs, the medic/EMT on standby and hopefully the EMR-turned-EMT from last year.

Red Riding Hood · Veteran Member

YAY ONLY 4 MORE DAYS!

hypermama · Veteran Member

yay!!

nomofica · Veteran Member

Yaaaaay. Hopefully my rib heals up a bit to the point where it doesn't hurt too much. Last night's event at EEC was a gongshow....

Psycho Mike · Guru

I know the feeling....Sat evening I went out for a ride and ended up crashing. I'm going to be multi-colored for the Ride, but nothing broken on me. Thankfully, I was riding my other bike, so the bike for the Ride is okay too.

nomofica · Veteran Member

I ended up getting jumped by a guy I had a verbal altercation with earlier in the evening (I have a part-time bar/event security side job). He punched my previously cracked rib. I won't mention his condition... LOL.

hypermama · Veteran Member

yeouch....both of you sound like you had fun weekends. all I did was get a sunburn and a very sticky truck (someone insisted on letting the kids have slurpees on the way home from drumheller).

hope you're both healed for the weekend, or you can use it as some good advertising about how tough the ride is. lol

Psycho Mike · Guru

Hehehe... well, I should be okay...I managed to ride the couple km's home. I think with a little vitamin I I should be fine for the ride. I may be colourful on my left side, but that's okay.

Red Riding Hood · Veteran Member

I'm not going to lie, I think I jinxed myself with getting injured the first time when I was initially going to ride. Since then I keep getting minor injuries here and there lol, it'll be nice to be crew and kind of relax. I work with Nomofica (Brian) and we worked a gong show on Sunday, seriously you never realize how pyscho people are until you work in the bar scene.

nomofica · Veteran Member

Wouldn't say they're all psycho (though I wouldn't put it past some of them....), but there are some definitely undesirables. Case in point: last night. The guy was a bouncer at some bar just off the downtown core - that says enough about his character right there. The EPS sergeant I'm in communication with told me he had warrants for his arrest though of course he didn't disclose at to what for.

Psycho Mike · Guru

Hehehe...sonds a lot like some of the concerts I've volunteered to work :D

nomofica · Veteran Member

I would never volunteer to work concerts lol

Psycho Mike · Guru

Hehehe...there is a reason (or two...dozen) why I got the nickname "Psycho" ;)

nomofica · Veteran Member

I can believe it!

.... always stay 10 paces away from me. hahaha

=P

Psycho Mike · Guru

hehehe....well last year, Corries Pookie thought I'd do in the person in the tent with me :D

Buhahahahaha!!!

Really, I'm an okay guy....I just am a little nuts :)

hypermama · Veteran Member

and THIS is why its a fun event. gruelling...but FUN.

:)

I can't wait - got my tent number today, my tent buddy is ready and basically crapping herself because she hasn't gotten much training in, washed the truck inside and out (banished the crayons, barbies, stickerbooks, joke books, hair clips, glitter, and everything else kid related).

and now...to find my bag

nomofica · Veteran Member

I agree it's a lot of fun. You guys would be surprised at what goes on in the medical tent after we shut down and everyone goes to sleep.... Actually, you probably wouldn't be surprised. You'd have fun with it too!

Corries Pookey · Senior Member

Hey Mike ... It was your team mate that started that rumor! I just supported it!!!!
And well it added to your flavor...lol

hypermama · Veteran Member

nomofica wrote:

I agree it's a lot of fun. You guys would be surprised at what goes on in the medical tent after we shut down and everyone goes to sleep.... Actually, you probably wouldn't be surprised. You'd have fun with it too!

I was up in the food tent at 3am last year.....lots of fun happening in there too. lol amazing what only a few hours sleep will do to you!

nomofica · Veteran Member

A few hours of sleep and a few beers thrown in and you've got the same happenings in the med tent. :P

hypermama · Veteran Member

BEER? there was beer?

nomofica · Veteran Member

We're a sneaky bunch....

nomofica · Veteran Member

Hey if you BYOB, there's no problem joining in!