Anatomy and Physiology and other questions

[mjkinsey]

A n P or no A n P

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Hey everyone,
I just recently joined a local volunteer EMS rescue squad. As part of my membership I have to complete a EMS course within a year. I am at a 4 year college studying to become a teacher. The local 2 year college has a EMT program that I am considering taking part in. I spoke with a Paramedic and he said that because my main full time job isnt to be a EMT or paramedic I should just sign up for the Basic EMT course and complete it and then stop there. Do you think I should do that? Or do you think I should complete the whole EMT program? I already have all the non-EMT courses taken care of (this is my third year in college) if I decided to do the whole program. If I do decide to do the whole program, I would only take one EMS class a semester, because I need to spend most of my time on my teaching major. Do you think it is worth my time to do the whole program? Also, the next basic EMT class isn't offered until Fall 2006, so I am considering taking Human Anatomy and Physiology during the Spring and Summer semesters. Should I take it or not? Would it benefit me as a EMT-Basic? It is of course a required course if I do the whole program. Also, whats the difference between an EMT and a Paramedic?

Thanks for your help,
Mark K.

[ButlerJr]

Mark,

As a current EMT-B student, I'm sure there are <I>plenty</I> of others out there <I>far</I> more qualified than I to answer you questions; but I'm up at the moment, so I'll take a stab at it, based upon things I've gleaned in my own quests for guidance on taking "the next step."

First off, if you're working toward your degree in teaching - and you're planning on becoming a teacher, which means you're also contorting through all the hoops required to earn your teaching credentials - and that's what you want to do with your life, then for the time being, I'd suggest to take just the EMT-B course and be done with it. There's no need to completely derail yourself from the path you've set yourself on, just for some little side track. (And make no mistake - taking the entire Paramedic program <I>will</I> be a complete derailment.) Finish your 4-year degree.

Having said that, you may find while going through the EMT-B course that you really have a passion for the field. Part of the course will include clinical time in a hospital and ride-along time on an ambulance. This may whet your whistle, and you may find yourself wanting to actually pursue something in the line of prehospital care. Particularly given that you're in your 3rd year of a 4-year baccalaureate program, and that the EMT-B course won't begin until next fall, I still say to focus on your current academic goal and finish that up. When that is done, if you think you'd rather do the PHC route, give that a try by getting yourself a job with an ambulance company (you say you're on with the volley squad). You can't do the Paramedic program anyway until you've put in a minimum amount of time on an ambulance. (Some places require 6 months, some 1 year, and this is full time; part-time requires a certain number of hours. I imagine that a volley squad would count, but I could be wrong.)

A&P is prerequisite to entrance into the Paramedic program; and if you haven't yet taken Biology and Chemistry, you'll need to take these, too. (I'm kicking myself for not having taken them earlier.) If you want to take A&P, and you don't think it'll interfere with your current academic goals and curriculum, then go for it. If nothing else, it'll prove very interesting. That level of an understanding of the human body will certainly help you understand a lot of what you'll learn when you take the EMT-B course; but in my opinion, I don't think it will necessarily and/or specifically do much else in your training as an EMT-B. The skills you'll learn will remain the same, and the scope of your practice will remain the same. I do believe that most students going into a Basic course haven't taken A&P, and they'll still come out competent (or one would hope) as EMT-B's.

I don't know what part of the country you're in, but I'd <I>highly</I> suggest taking a look at the EMT programs and the Paramedic programs offered at the community colleges in your area. Look at the program curriculum, the courses offered and required, the prerequisites to entrance into the programs, etc. Also look into whether or not the programs offer National Registry certification/preparation. Some programs will only offer local (county/state) certification/preparation. Here are some links to look at from my part of the country (just to give you an idea of what programs look like):

http://www.palomar.edu/eme/
http://www.swc.cc.ca.us/%7Eeselby/cis.htm
http://www.craftonhills.edu/CHC/CHCdepts/Instructional/EMRG/EMRGENCY.htm

As to differences between EMTs and Paramedics...whooooo, nelly. What angle should I approach that from? Paramedics are, in a nutshell (and I know I'm gonna get kicked in the pants for this), essentially EMTs with very advanced training. The general breakdown for levels of training goes like this:
EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and EMT-Paramedic. The Basic learns how to recognize different types of medical and trauma emergencies, and how to treat them and provide care at a basic level. Most Basic care is manual application - simple airway management, bleeding control, splinting and immobilization, taking vitals, and asking lots and lots of questions. Basics are allowed to administer Oxygen, and sometimes ingested, inhaled, or patient-administered injected medications. The Intermediate works with this and additional, more advanced training, and is allowed to provide more advanced forms of care (the likes of which I'm honestly not familiar with). The Paramedic gets a fancy Associates Degree that says, "Look at me, I can push drugs and run IVs, and you can't! Nah nah nah-nah nah!" Er...ahem. ;) Paramedics go through extensive schooling, covering not only human body systems, but pharmacology and cardiology as well. These are the guys who get to pull out the manual defibrillators and yell, "CLEAR!" (Don't ever call these guys EMTs, unless you want to be defibrillated on the butt.)

Some parts of the country don't have EMT-Intermediates. California is one of those places. I'm not entirely sure why this is, but I think it has something to do with scope of practice - what the law says you can and cannot do for a patient under certain levels of training and certified recognition.

Anyway, I hope some of this helps you. Like I said, others may be far more qualified to answer you (and I hope they'll correct me if I got anything wrong here). My advice remains, if you're that close to getting your teaching degree, and that's what you really want to do, then don't deviate from it. Keep the volley squad thing, do the EMT-B training, but don't worry about the more advanced training. Give yourself some time to niche into a solid job, and to accumulate hours on the volley. <I>Then</I> maybe give some thought to more advanced training, if you still think you want it.

[ButlerJr]

<I>(hey, why aren't the HTML tags working?)</I>

[croaker260]

Great post Butler.

I will only add that even at the EMT-Basic level you will find the college level A & P helpful, regardless if you proceed on.

[mjkinsey]

Thank you for responding to my e-mail. I have decided to take the Anatomy and Physiology course this spring at my local community college. I also will try to take the 2nd half of it in the summer and take my first EMT-B class in the Fall. If I plan to take classes during the summer for my teaching major I should have trouble finishing it on time. Most likely I will take classes during the summer because I love school alot. I will be completeing my EMT degree at my local Community College. The following is a link to the course requirements for the degree if you interested.

http://www.hgtc.edu/academics/emt.pdf

Thank you again for your help in answering my questions.

Mark K.

[mjkinsey]

I have one more question. As part of being on the squad I am in I have to take a stretcher test. I must complete a 200lb stretcher lifting test. I've never opened a stretcher before so is it pretty easy? Will I have trouble doing it? I am not the strongest person in the world but not the weakest either. I'm 5'11 and only 105 lbs. Is this something that I need to get a membership at the local gym to do? LOL! Or is it something that can be done fairly easy. Since it is a stretcher I know it would of course be easier to do then lifting a 200lb person up on a flat board but can it still be complicated?

Thank you,
Mark

[N2DFire]

<I>(hey, why aren't the HTML tags working?)</I>

Because the forum software doesn't interpret true HTML code - it uses a similar syntax though. Basically whatever you wanted to do in HTML you can still do here but instead of using < & > you have to use [ & ]


<i> becomes [ i ] and </i> becomes [ / i ] (without the spaces of course)

Like This - See ?? ;)


Anyhow - Back to Mark's question.
This "Stretcher Test" sounds like they simply want to see if you can load a cot w/ 200 Lbs on it. The "catch" is they have to be using a 1 Man (er Person) Cot (or at the very minimum a Person & a half Cot)


W/O giving a great lecture with tons of A/V on different types of cots, I will simply say that you should be fine. What will happen is that either the cot will already be in the "load" position or someone will assist you in lifting it to there. Then once you place the head end of the cot into the unit, you will grasp & squeeze the release handle to allow the legs to collapse.
From that point on you are holding 1 end of the cot & the ambulance is supporting the other (and in theory you should only have half the load or 100 lbs).

Now - if it's a true 1 man cot - all you have to do is push the cot into the rig and the legs will fold up as you go. If it is a Man & a half style then someone will have to reach down and lift the legs into the collapsed position and THEN you simply push it forward into the rig.

Either way - you should be fine.

Simple way to determine what type of cot you have:
4 Wheels & "X" style supports = 2 man cot. Has to be lowered to the collapsed position and then lifted up & into the rig (These things are so out of date I can't even find a good example)

6 Wheels and "X" style supports = Man & a half cot. 2 Front wheels are fixed to the upper frame and support the head of the cot when the legs are collapsed. Still requires the "Half" person to lift the suspension into the closed position. (Ex. Stryker MX-Pro R3 or Ferno 35 Series Cots )

6 Wheels and an "H" Style (or 2 parallel sets of legs) = 1 man cot. 2 Front wheels are fixed to the upper frame and support the head of the cot when the legs are collapsed. Legs will fold on their own as cot is pushed into the rig. (Ex. Stryker EZ-Pro R4 or Ferno 93 Series Cots)

[skyraider]

Stephen's right, but bottom line, is yeah...it's going to take a little practice. Lifting the cot up & down w/out someone takes a few practice tries. It's a completely different feel w/ someone on the cot, especially if you're at the person's head, even with a light person. Just practice a few times...then, as Stephen says, it's really not a problem.

Smart move on the A & P class...it will definitely give you a better understanding of what you're doing. Wish I had done that.

And thanks for wanting to be a teacher!!! We need more like you.

[crsemt1258]

Great Advice and it sounds like you have chosen the right route to go at this time. As far as the cot goes, practice with it so you know where all the handles are and how it works. We usually have to new members watch video tapes on each of our cots so they have a heads up before they try to use them in the field.
Good Luck with your training

[mjkinsey]

N2DFire, SkyRaider,CRSEMT1258,

Thank you for responding to my question. A feel a sigh of relief now. I though the test was with a 200 lb person on the stretcher and it being in the collapsed position and then I would have to lift the whole stretch into the air to extend the legs. The real procedure sounds alot easier. I am not sure which type of cot my squad has but next time I am there I will investigate into it.

I still plan on taking Anatomy and Physiology next semester and I hope all goes well.

Wish me luck- Next weekend I have EVOC training.

Thanks again,
Mark K.

[N2DFire]

Wish me luck- Next weekend I have EVOC training.

Just remember that:
1) The rig WILL fit through the course so don't psyce yourself out on how "tight" it gets.

2) For every maneuver you have to perform in reverse - Pivot Points, Pivot Points, Pivot Points. And in case you didn't know - your Pivot point is the center of your rear tire.

3) Diminishing Alley - don't focus on the cones - focus on something beyond the end of the "alley". If you watch the cones you'll have a tendency to drift toward them.

4) Serpentine - Forward is cake. When backing up - stay as close to the cones as possible. Don't swing the nose any farther out than you have to. As soon as you see the next cone in your mirror - stop your turn and back straight up till the cone is even with your pivot point - then start swinging 180 till you see the next cone. Not bad once you get the hang of it.

Lastly - practice practice practice.

Good Luck

[skyraider]

AAahhh....EVOC...whole different story. You get three tries (we did) just make sure the last one is "just practice, it doesn't count." :)

The stuck us on a little hill for backing into a parking space. It's the easiest part of the course but with that hill... Mark..practice the parallel parking...I only got one practice through on the course

gotto go....

[mjkinsey]

Thanks for the EVOC tips everyone...I hadn't really thought about the course yet but now I'm a little scared. I'll do fine probably. Sorry, but I'm a little slow, what exactly do you mean by pivot points on the rig? Is it the midde of the tire if I was looking at the back of the tire or is it the middle of the looking at the tire from the side? Maybe I will have more then 3 tries...the training is through my volunteer rescue squad. Last night was my first night riding in the ambulance and going on calls. WOW! It was lots of fun! MAjor adrenaline rush.
Mark

[mjkinsey]

Because the forum software doesn't interpret true HTML code - it uses a similar syntax though. Basically whatever you wanted to do in HTML you can still do here but instead of using < & > you have to use [ & ]


<i> becomes [ i ] and </i> becomes [ / i ] (without the spaces of course)

Like This - See ?? ;)


Anyhow - Back to Mark's question.
This "Stretcher Test" sounds like they simply want to see if you can load a cot w/ 200 Lbs on it. The "catch" is they have to be using a 1 Man (er Person) Cot (or at the very minimum a Person & a half Cot)


W/O giving a great lecture with tons of A/V on different types of cots, I will simply say that you should be fine. What will happen is that either the cot will already be in the "load" position or someone will assist you in lifting it to there. Then once you place the head end of the cot into the unit, you will grasp & squeeze the release handle to allow the legs to collapse.
From that point on you are holding 1 end of the cot & the ambulance is supporting the other (and in theory you should only have half the load or 100 lbs).

Now - if it's a true 1 man cot - all you have to do is push the cot into the rig and the legs will fold up as you go. If it is a Man & a half style then someone will have to reach down and lift the legs into the collapsed position and THEN you simply push it forward into the rig.

Either way - you should be fine.

Simple way to determine what type of cot you have:
4 Wheels & "X" style supports = 2 man cot. Has to be lowered to the collapsed position and then lifted up & into the rig (These things are so out of date I can't even find a good example)

6 Wheels and "X" style supports = Man & a half cot. 2 Front wheels are fixed to the upper frame and support the head of the cot when the legs are collapsed. Still requires the "Half" person to lift the suspension into the closed position. (Ex. Stryker MX-Pro R3 or Ferno 35 Series Cots )

6 Wheels and an "H" Style (or 2 parallel sets of legs) = 1 man cot. 2 Front wheels are fixed to the upper frame and support the head of the cot when the legs are collapsed. Legs will fold on their own as cot is pushed into the rig. (Ex. Stryker EZ-Pro R4 or Ferno 93 Series Cots)


I have the 6 wheels and "x" style...it doesn't look like it would be hard. I'll keep you posted

[skyraider]

what exactly do you mean by pivot points on the rig? Is it the midde of the tire if I was looking at the back of the tire or is it the middle of the looking at the tire from the side?
Mark
Pivot point is the middle of the tire if you're looking it from the side of the rig. You need to be able to judge when an object (cone, curb, etc.) is right at the middle point of your tire (that's your pivot point) so you know to turn the steering wheel. Turning earlier means you'll run into the object, turning much past that means you've gone way past your object and will probably hit another cone elsewhere and it's hard get back into synch.

Just so you know...in EVOC you need to know how to use only your mirrors....you're not allowed to stick your head out the window and look. So you need to make sure your mirrors are adjusted so you can see (or somehow are able to determine) when an object is at your pivot point...on both right and left sides. If you have your pivot points down pat...you're good to go.

[mjkinsey]

Ok...I understand about the pivot points now. Thanks again for the tips.
Mark

[mjkinsey]

AAahhh....EVOC...whole different story. You get three tries (we did) just make sure the last one is "just practice, it doesn't count." :)

The stuck us on a little hill for backing into a parking space. It's the easiest part of the course but with that hill... Mark..practice the parallel parking...I only got one practice through on the course

gotto go....


Hey everyone,
EVOC training went very well. I did really good on the diminshing ally...took the advice about not paying attention to the cones just the end...didn't take out any cones on that one. Driving forward was pretty easy...but backing up was a little tough...especially during the "Lightbulb Course" (a big circle that you drive around and into until you drive into the center of the circle...then you have to back out. Thanks everyone again for your help. Y'all have answered alot of my questions though I'm sure I will have more later on.

Thanks again,
Mark K.

[ButlerJr]

Last night was my first night riding in the ambulance and going on calls. WOW! It was lots of fun! MAjor adrenaline rush.

*heheheh* Doncha love that feeling? :)