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Between 1994 and 1998 I read what I remember as a paperback anthology of short stories about the practical issues involved in going to work in space.

One story in particular involved EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) who invented a way to design space suits with screw fittings so that they could have quick access to injured hands.

Another story may have revolved around daycare, or training spacesuit safety into toddlers of colonists (or that may have been another anthology -- I was reading a lot of them at the time.)

It's not Space Inc. -- the time frame doesn't match up, and none of the stories ring a bell.

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    @The rest of us: EMT = (I guess) Emergency Medical Technician. Commented yesterday
  • This may be "ABCs in Zero-G" by Elizabeth Moon, but I don't have a reference copy to prove it. The story involves paramedics working in orbit having to redesign techniques and tools designed for use on Earth. Commented yesterday
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    "ABCs" in this case refers to "Airway, Breathing, and Circulation", the most basic things required to keep your patient alive. Commented yesterday
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    @DoscoJones that title absolutely positively sounds familiar, especially as I took several CPR/First Aid refreshers in that time span.
    – arp
    Commented yesterday
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    The cover of Moon's 1990 "Lunar Activity" collection also feels familiar -- make an answer for me to accept, please, @DoscoJones
    – arp
    Commented yesterday

1 Answer 1

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As requested by @arp:

This may be "ABCs in Zero-G" by Elizabeth Moon, but I don't have a reference copy to prove it. The story involves paramedics working in orbit having to redesign techniques and tools originally intended for use on Earth.

Published in Analog in 1986, it was her first SF work. The story is included in her 1990 Lunar Activity collection, which roughly fits the year specified.

Lunar Activity

"ABCs" in this case refers to "Airway, Breathing, and Circulation", the most basic things required to keep your patient alive. If you have even a passing interest in basic field medicine then I recommend reading this article. You could save a life.

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    I'm reading the story now on archive.org. On page 24-25 of the yellowed copy of Lunar Activity, they are in fact talking about unscrewing a coupling on the wrist to get access to an arm for IVs and blood pressure measurements. No spoilers, but I'm 100% certain this is the story. Thank you.
    – arp
    Commented yesterday
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    Sweet. Thanks for confirming. Commented 19 hours ago

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