[Firebeef]

hey Maple

well, I'm just getting off duty this morning as a Fireman/EMT-Intermediate. I worked 2 codes yesterday. I doubt that as a guy who used to carry a heavy commo ruck and now carries heavy hoses that I am more advanced than you, but in your question you hit on something that is a pet peeve of mine...you put the words "pre-hospital" and "diagnosis" in the same paragraph. We don't diagnose in the field, bro!

As an ALS provider, I know that the best care that I can give someone who is having a bad heart day is to get them to a hospital with a cardiac unit muy pronto and pain free. I can't imagine what someone in the field would do or do any differently if they were able to discern A-fib or WPW from auscultating a patients heart sounds.

I am not trying to discourage you, bud, but you have to be able to seperate the field environment from what is I'm sure is a very good tool to use in the confines of cardiac unit....once the patient is delivered there, and fast, with the proper and most thorough care that can be provided by a member of the pre-hospital team.

I'm not sure what ACLS has to say about auscultating cardiac sounds, but I don't remember that being covered in any ACLS or recert I've taken. Good luck in your Phys class.