I take issue with the statement that these EMTs are in "hot water." Anyone who has to follow policies, at some point, has to explain why they didn't follow the policy. In the medical field, the process is more formal because lives and huge sums of money are at stake. Now, assuming the facts are as stated in the article, I would take issue with these EMTs being disciplined. In fact, I feel they should be commended.
Additionally, I'm not an EMT or doctor, but this policy seems reasonable to me. In areas with ready access to hospitals (not the wilderness), it seems to me a reasonable policy to leave decisions on whether and what type of antivenom to administer to doctors. No policy can cover every situation. This situation was highly unusual. There was no doubt about what species bit the man. It was identified by an expert that was very familiar with that particular animal. The species was extremely venomous, much more venomous than the snakes native to Kentucky. And they had a vial of the proper antivenom at the ready. The decision to break with policy and administer the antivenom in this situation was a no-brainer.
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