As I work on getting back into the bl-bl-blogging groove, cruising through my Tweets for the morning, I wanted to send a huge shout out to Kerri at Six Until Me and her great edition of Grand Rounds. I need to spend more time at Grand Rounds Cafe. Anyone want to join me?

Oh, and follow Kerri on Twitter @sixuntilme!

I just love Twitter.  Just when things tend to get a bit comfortable, an entirely new group of people “find” you.  Lately, more skydivers have, pun intended, fallen into my follow group.  Would like to give @peterdierx credit for the Tweet linking this video!

Tags: Skydiving

We just can’t seem to shake the winter gloom up in my neck of the woods. Today (two days ago as it were) was quiet as work goes. Bad for us, but as my friend reminds me when I complain about slow days—it is good for those who aren’t so sick or injured that they need our services.

My day was spent painting, assembling lamps (more complicated then it sounds!) and ordering counter top for the Conex—aka, my office. Needless to say I am whipped.

How the heck did my office get such a name? This morning, John was roped into painting with mom and I. He declared that my office looks like the inside of a Conex. Think the name is going to stick, unlike “The Dungeon,” which will disappoint some of you. *pointed looks*

So, with little brain power to finish the lengthy post on HEMS safety that I started at 0430 today, I leave you with some Army humor as I will be wearing that hat (or beret as it were) this weekend.

[Thanks Greybeard!]

Captain McGee
as in ARRRRR Matey!

This is a very VERY long story, and Vijay needs all the props for this one. I really do need to frame this and put it on my desk at the Army. Think it may ruin a bit of my command presence though.

With that, I am racking out (going to sleep for all of you civilian types!).

Nite!

Yes! A Theme close to my heart—-errrrrrrrr or Arm! (tattoo reference for those of you who may be new here)

AnnyHooo—-This edition of Change of Shift is up at Digital Doorway. Go give it a read.

Great Job Keith!

Does anyone else come across random things during daily O2 life and think about friends in your digital life?

For example….

For Rico

I took this while at the market today knowing it would crack up @medpiano.

His response:

@crzegrl15 Aiaiai….estoy sudando con la pura mirada, ¡y no por los chiles!

I *heart* Twitter.

Translated:

@crzegrl15 (”I’m sweating just looking, and not because of the chiles!”) hehe

So, on that hot pepper tip……

Me & my Baby Sister Kate

We didn’t plan this. Just happened to have similar coats in the freezing, great white north. Oh, and showed up to dinner at mom and dad’s tonight.

See? Not such a crazy life.

Close of business today brought to an end to the first of four days of public NTSB hearings focusing on the safety of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS).

The WSJ lead their story covering the hearings with the following here: (h/t @symtym–his blog here)

WASHINGTON — Emergency medical helicopter pilots had the most dangerous jobs in the U.S., racking up fatalities at a faster clip than loggers and other historically risky professions, according to a new study presented to federal air-crash investigators.

Thirteen crashes, 29 lives lost, all in the 365 days of 2008.

By simple deduction, I, therefore, have the most dangerous job in nursing.

——————

Last year, the small rural ambulance service which served the area my parents live in couldn’t afford to stay in business. Now, if either of them need the advanced skill of a paramedic it will take and ambulance over 15 minutes to reach them.

That, quite simply, scares the shit out of me.

The closest hospital is over 15 minutes away, even with the use of lights and sirens.

That small hospital is over 35 minutes away by ground from the nearest cath lab, or trauma center.

They are nine minutes from the same advanced medical center by air.

The reality, however, is that the community my parents call home is actually very accessible compared to many of the residents of my state. My job is dangerous, and that is a risk I am willing and eager to take as the communities I serve need the advanced medical care we provide.

HEMS is dangerous.

HEMS is, without a doubt, VERY expensive.

But I ask you how much a few more afternoons quilting your mom is worth? What would you pay for few more rounds of golf with your dad?

Those few, precious moments, stolen from fate, are worth risking my life for. I willingly accept those risks because someday, it may be my mother that needs the expertise of a flight nurse. It may be my father I am called to save.

It is my hope that through these hearings, my peers, colleagues and friends will be safer in the air. That 2009 will be the year of Vision Zero.

End of Shift

On search for Vision Zero, I came across this post from Rogue Medic discussing the conclusions Dr. Ira Blumen came to in discussing the danger associated with HEMS.

The conclusions and decisions which will inevitably be handed down in the following weeks will have a direct impact on my professional life. Here is to hoping, in the end, the title of ‘most dangerous job’ goes back to the crab fishermen.

edit: CNN’s Coverage of the hearings here.

The cold of the great white north, more specifically the snow it brings with it, keeps us grounded more than I care to dwell on. I did more flying yesterday in one shift then in the whole month of January.

I get cranky when I don’t fly.

Me savoring the view

Flying keeps my world balanced.

Ice, Dam and Open Water

The pilots will attest to that.

Part of Downtown, edged by the River

Although the view out the window, is mainly rural, each time we land at our hospital, we get a glimpse of the ever changing skyline of our humble, but beautiful city. Downtown is adorned with a river which is part of the area’s identity.

Today definitely bordered on Bill Murray’s version of Groundhog Day.

Remember the movie?

Well, after digging out my piles . . .

. . . we were sent after our first patient.

On our way out the ER door, patient on stretcher, I called our fair well over my shoulder.

“Thanks! See you later today guys!”

Marky, my partner for the shift, almost threw the RSI kit at me.

The ER staff started hollering at my slip. That was almost as bad as saying the ‘Q’ word to them.

I chuckled all the way to the helicopter as my crew chastised me. I am easily entertained.

The flight was uneventful, and lunch was waiting on us 3 hours after we originally ordered it. I got into the second bite of my monster sub when—

—Of course—

—the tones went off.

Minutes later, ass planted in my seat, helmet on my head, lifting to go back to the same hospital for another patient, I was still groaning at the non-prank irony.

And the Ground Hog’s Day movie references began.

Murphy (as in ‘Law’ not ‘Bill’) knew I had a lot I wanted to accomplish today. It just wasn’t meant to be. Apparently my pilot for the day was recently jinxed with being a mission magnet so we kept flying.

Mark and the View from our Office Window

I can’t remember the last time I did three flights in one shift. Yeah Mark Thomas, I know, three flights aren’t much when you hot load cheap scenes in So. Cal. but the our first two patient pick ups were to a hospital 25 flight minutes away. Yup, ONE way. The third mission was to a hospital 45 minutes away.

That makes a three flight 12 hour shift long. And I loved every minute of this 13.5 hour day.

Shifts like this are so much better when you have an awesome crew.

As well as the chance to stretch your legs.

Leg Room? Yup!

And views so incredible, they always leave you in awe.

February Sunset

Even though Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, and we are doomed to 6 more weeks of winter, I think I can deal with it.

And I promise I won’t fly angry!

We had a change of shift pediatric flight just after kick off. Have to say—would rather go flying with Jess and Walt—-the commercials will be on YouTube. The city was just amazing to look over tonight. Wish this photo of Jess was a bit more clear….