Well, I finally managed to kick the crud that pretty much laid me out for most of March, though it took until last week to finally get rid of the last of it. It also laid up some co-workers of mine for a bit. Starts out as bronchitis, then moves to a sinus/inner ear infection, which also turned into a minor eye infection for a bit. Fortunately, antibiotics did their thing, along with the prescription strength Robitussin DM.
So I came across this post from DiveMedic regarding skillsets in austere times, and his post did raise a legitimate point. Having the knowledge and means to apply it real-world is one thing, having the tools to do so is another.
DM rated his applicable skills, and that made me take stock on my own capabilities:
- Master level: IT skills, including Windows server administration, network security and defense, and hardware/software troubleshooting (both book learning and hands-on experience from 17 years in the IT field, from telecom tech, to helpdesk, to NOC tech.
- Journeyman level: Advanced EMT, basic electronic troubleshooting and repair (nearly 7 years of hands-on skills and practical learning as an EMT and AEMT, and a near lifetime's experience with electronics, plus being a licensed ham radio operator). Though my emergency medicine skills would likely be considered by some as more of a master's level, I know that there is still plenty more I should learn, and when I have the capability to, I plan on upgrading to Paramedic.
- Apprentice level: Basic automotive maintenance and repair, sewing and mending clothing, and home maintenance.
Obviously, there's always more to add, and one thing I would love to learn is basic blacksmithing and tool fabrication. I've picked up a book which is a reprint of an older tome that covers such skills, and when time and finances permit I want to explore that more in detail.
Meanwhile my dad (he's 85), has been taken to the hospital due to extreme hypotension, and according to my sister, looks like a possible GI bleed somewhere. As of this writing, he's still in the ER waiting to be admitted, and he has had 4 units of blood transfused in him to keep his blood volume up and his systolic pressure stable. Not the first time this has happened but still worried.
On a personal note, I'm in the process of getting hired on as a contract EMT for a government contractor down in the Yuma area, what's holding things up is the required background check, which my recruiter tells me can take up to a year (!!) to complete. So let's see what happens. I'm gonna try to stay on part-time with my current employer, but have to see what transpires.
More later as I know it...
