The 20/80 Rule

[Paramike]

I am instructor at a local Community College, as sure as sunshine I have students ask the grand "what if" questions. I have a little lecture that I go over with them; I call it my 20/80 rule lecture.
It goes some thing like this:

Question:
"Instructor ****** What if your patient is in the zoo and being torn to shreds by a mad elephant??

"Instructor ****** What if my patient stops breathing, but has an compound femur fx?

I normally will go into my lecture after questions like this.

Let' just say that I am a mean, mean, man. I was so mean that I broke your leg right the knee. Then, because I am such a mean sucker, I throw you into the pool and hold you under water. But today is your lucky day because I have a nice streak today, I am going to give you one of two choices:

1: I can snap my fingers and magically fix your leg.
or
2: I can let you up out of the water.

Which one will you choose?
1 or 2?

They, of course, say #2.

Then I tell them that this business (EMS) is
20% How to
80% Common sense.

It is a good way to get the students to start thinking out of the box. Gets them thinking ,that most times, things are only hard because we make them that way.

Next time a WHAT IF comes up the whole class will say 20/80.It becomes a game that the class plays.Itf they catch someone asking a what if then the person has to figure out the What IF by themselves. It always works. They go through the problem until they work it out.

Give it a try it will help your students.

[volparamedic]

I seem to find those who aren't aware of the 20/80 rule. For some reason I always seen to get them on the scene. aka....cluster f*@#'s.

[Baker3634]

Mike What college do you instructs at and do you guys offer medic Programs?

Bruce

[Paramike]

I am currently the CE coordinator at Riverside Community College EMS academy. We have an awesome Paramedic program. The staff really cares for the students, if a student is struggling he/she is remediated over and over again until they get the point. Our goal is to bring to the field commited CARING individuals that have the compassion and professionalism this noble career deserves.The staff knows that everyone learns differently, where one guy will need you to pressure him another may need a arm around them saying "you can do this!" That is what I love about the program.

I guess some of the cons about the program is that we sometimes take on too many students. Sometimes geting a preceptor lined up can be challenging. BUT on the other hand we do dual preceptorships, meaning, that you do Private and Fire. Which is AWESOME.

Here is a link: http://www.rcc.edu/academicPrograms/ems/paramedicStudents.cfm

I hope that this information will be helpful to you. Let me know if I can do anything else.

Humbly,

[Paramike]

I know vol,

That is why I set out to get these students to understand that simple rule. To take their own pulse and remember 20/80.

Thanks for the reply

[champ]

Wxcellent way of putting things. I have always said that common sense should supercede education in many of the circustances we are faced with on this job. I just wish I could get some of doctors at the facilities I transport to to understand this!!! Excellent way of explaining things, I think I will use this with my upcoming group of ride along students!

[BHFD121]

That is a great rule! I will have to use it! I teach CPR and last weak I heard a question like that...hmmm.

Shelby