• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.90-109
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• 2007

This Study aims to examine the relative importants of various tasks of EMT and to examine knowledge level and problems associated with AED. It is based on the survey of paramedics and rescurers. The instrument by Hoe Sum Lim(1999) was used. as the questionaire for this research. The collected data were analyzed by means of $x^2$ test, t-test, and measured by percents. The results for this study were follows: 1) Among the tasks of EMI, "Basic Life Support" were rated as the most important, followed by "O2 supply" and foreign-body removal from mouth. 2) Some of the lower level of importance in task were Intubation, IV, dextrose infusion of Hypoglycemia, NTG S/L for chest pain, hydration for fluid therapy, brochodilator IV for Bronchial Asthma. 3) Some of the lower level of importance in task were apply of MAST, Vital Sign check and administration of traction & spine immobilization & air splint. 4) The most important reason that the used of AED is delayed is "unclear boundary of treatment directed by medical control".

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.211-216
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• 2010

Fire service personnel and ambulance paramedics suffer musculoskeletal disorders as they lift and carry patients while performing Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The objective of the current study was performed to examine the association between working environment and musculoskeletal disorders of 119 paramedics and to analysis the EMS activities for them through basic survey (including task characteristics, risk factors, symptoms and illnesses). Observational job analysis of EMS activities indicated the squatting posture during first-aid performed on floor and the abrupt use of force during carrying heavy load including stretcher with patients on as hazard factors, and excessive low back twisting and bending during stairway transfer was observed. In addition, work-physiological assessment revealed various but rather high lumbar muscle usage rate among the study subjects, being 14.6~32.8% compared with Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC) during patients transfer work. Resting heart rate showed 65/min, on the other hand, heart rate on mobilization indicated maximum 124~156/min. Therefore, the results of analysis to the EMS activities, rescuer activities and medical tasks were accompanied with high possibility of accident and musculoskeletal disorders. Also, EMS activities indicated high muscle fatigue and energy consumption, and accumulated muscle fatigue with during continued work.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.94-101
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• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the noise exposures of firefighters according to their time-dependent activity patterns. Methods: Personal exposure levels were measured for six days and nights using noise dosimeters; three days and nights for on-duty tasks, the other days and nights for off-duty activities. Results: The total amount of time spent in the workplace was 13,677 min (67%), outside areas 4,833 min (23%), in transit 1,002 min (5%), and other indoor area 807 min (4%) during a working period. However, during off-days they spent 10,858 min (76%) at home, 1,382 min (10%) outdoors, 1,225 min (9%) other indoors, and 493 min (3%) in transit. As a result of individual exposure levels, TWA did not exceed 90 dBA of the occupational exposure limit for the majority of the firefighters, whereas the levels of Lmax were 119 dBA, which were higher than the noise levels of firefighters in USA. Sometimes during dispatching the levels of Lpeak exceeded the ACGIH exposure standard (140 dBC). The Leq levels in transit were higher than the levels in home and other indoors even though the activity time is short. Conclusions: This paper characterized the noise exposure patterns of firefighters in Korea. We suggest that special noise sources, including sirens and speaker phones, should be readjusted to reduce noise exposure.