Peter A. DiPrima - Paramedic Survival Guide

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To my family
(Sue, Gabby, Jack, Mom and Dad DiPrima, and Sparling).
Thank you for believing in me.
Please do not ever doubt my dedication and love for you.

Louis Brand, BS, NREMT-P
Port Jefferson EMS
Setauket Fire and Rescue
Setauket, New York

Thomas E. Hoar III, BA, EMT-P
Port Jefferson EMS
Brentwood EMS
Setauket Fire and Rescue
Setauket New York

Daniel E. Meisels, MPA, EMT-P, CHEP
Director, EMS Program
University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center
Worcester, Massachusetts
Faculty, Center for Excellence in Emergency Preparedness Education (CEEPET)
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Worcester, Massachusetts
EMT-Paramedic
New York-Presbyterian Hospital EMS
New York, New York

Christopher VanHouten, EMT-P
New York-Presbyterian Hospital EMS
New York, New York

Angel Aviles

Paramedic Student

New Haven Sponsor Hospital

New Haven, Connecticut

Class of 2012

Joe Bart, DO, EMT-P/T

Department of Emergency Medicine

The State University of New York

Buffalo, New York

James F. Goss, MHA, MICP

Assistant Professor

Loma Linda University

School of Allied Health Professions

Emergency Medical Care Program

Loma Linda, California

Scott C. Jones, MBA, EMT-P

Associate Professor

Paramedic Academy

Victor Valley College

Victorville, California

Brian Kern, MD, EMT

Department of Emergency Medicine

Detroit Receiving Hospital

Detroit Medical Center

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan

Richard A. Nydam, EMT-P

Training Coordinator

University of Massachusetts Memorial

Healthcare

Worcester EMS

Worcester, Massachusetts;

Adjunct Faculty, Clinical Coordinator

Quinsigamond Community College

Paramedic Training Program

Worcester, Massachusetts

David Pecoraro, BS, EMT-P

New Haven Sponsor Hospital

New Haven, Connecticut

Brittany Selvaggi

Paramedic Student

New Haven Sponsor Hospital

New Haven, Connecticut

Class of 2011

Jorge D. Yarzebski, BA, NREMT-P, CCEMT-P

University of Massachusetts Medical School

Office of Continuing Education

University of Massachusetts Memorial

Healthcare

Worcester EMS

Worcester, Massachusetts

Despite rigorous medical education and training, are new paramedics equipped to handle all situations they may face? Over the course of our careers as emergency medical technicians and paramedics, we will encounter a remarkable number of scenarios not covered by formal education and training. Some are common and others are unusual. Some are life threatening and others are not. However, all are important and potentially challenging. Whenever the scenarios occur, people assume that you can and will be able to handle them just because you are or will be a paramedic!