In EMS we hate the “N” word just as much as anyone else.

“Never” is a very popular word in EMS.

Never step over the patient
Never let go of the head during manual stabilization
Never let go of the hub during IV access

The list can go on forever. But the thing is, all these “nevers” are put in place for a reason. Safety (yours and the patients), proper patient care and efficient techniques used to perform well in the field.

Along with the “nevers” come the “always”.

Always try a NRB before a Nasal cannula
Always get the three “R”s in medication administration
Always wear protective or BBP precautions

Again, creating almost a continuous list of “always” and “never”

If you have been in EMS for longer than say, 30 minutes, you quickly realize the theme is repetition. As EMS providers we must keep these rules in our minds while performing our tasks. They have been drilled into us during training and retraining for a reason.

Many other organizations do the same, the military, fire suppression, police.
All use repetition to hammer home critical areas of training.

Imagine treating a patient without gloves or performing spinal immobilization without holding the patients head? It sounds almost unheard of to do.

Think about it though. What would someone who is not trained do? How many scenes have you come upon to find that bystanders already pulled someone from a rolled over vehicle, or who are trying to stop bleeding by applying pressure with a napkin?

We are held to a higher standard and are expected to know how to treat various injuries and illness while keeping ourselves safe and doing no harm to the patients. By following all the “never” and “always” we help to ensure we do just that.

Recent changes in AHA guidelines and EMS education curriculum along with hopeful expected changes in EMS as a whole will continue to advance our profession. With all these changes and improvements, the basics will always remain.

While this article covers a basic idea. It is the basics that we learn in EMT or Paramedic school that build the foundation of our patient care and our careers.

As I have mentioned in earlier parts of the series. Remember the basics and you cannot go wrong. Perhaps two of the most important basics are:

“Never” perform duties beyond your training and “always” go home safe at the end of your shift.