Practicing IV sticks in Intermediate class

[emtwannabe]

Anybody out there got any ideas on how to practice IV sticks other than on live patients? I'm in Intermediate class in NC and would like to know of any ideas. I heard from one paramedic that if you can pierce the first two of three sheets of paper, you are doing okay as far as the thickness goes. I don't know if that applies to all patients because of the fact that some patients have deeper veins. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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GOD is my Medical Director and JESUS is my EMS crew chief.

[EMT_Wub]

In both of my Intermediate and Paramedic classes, before we were released to do any clinical time, we had to buddy up and practice on each other. The trick was to be the one stuck first, that way you can retaliate. So grab a fellow student or coworker and practice away

[9C7]

A few companies also make fairly realistic plastic IV arms. I found them to be OK for practice, but there's nothing like the real thing.

Check a Laerdal catalog.



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Stay Safe.
You asked for my opinion, now you have it. Any similarity to another opinion, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

[N3UEA]

I agree with EMT_Wub. In Paramedic school, we stuck each other a couple of time they let us loose on the general public. The trick was to get stuck first http://www.firehouse.com/forums/wink.gif

[troll911]

I check off my students skills either by having them stick myself or each other (preferably each other). This way, they can:
1. Know what it is like to have a student working on them.
2. Actual anatomy and feel for the vein.
3.No cheating. The IV arms are great (and easy) for practice, but after a few sticks in it, everybody else knows where to stick.
4. They get a real feeling for aeseptic techniques.

One little trick that I pass on is to have them practice needle sticks on a length of IV tubing. Round surface... rather thick... and as you advance the needle, you can feel the actual "pop" as the catheter goes through the tubing.

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Peace,
TROLL

Just my opinions, not my departments. If they are alike, it usually means somethin's gonna happen!

[NCFiremedic]

The only way to get better is practice, practice, practice. Preferably on real pt's or your buddy in class. If your already pretty confident try picking someone who has smaller veins... It really does help in the long run.

I like the idea about the I.V tubing... Never heard of that before.

P.S.
1. Where in NC do you run?
2. Do you know Lou and if so do I know you?
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Running a code is easy.
The hard part starts when you bringem back and have a 30-40 min transport

[This message has been edited by NCFiremedic (edited 03-06-2001).]