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.