enrolled in the EMT-B, and need advice

[Randy1987]

Hey. My name is Randy and I have enrolled in the EMT-B class at my local tech school . Not sure if I want to work ems or not ,Right now im leaning more towards firefighting as a career. as of now I recently joined a volly department, even if I don’t go into EMS or Fire for a career I am sure that if I stick with the volly dept that at some point what I will learn in the class will come in handy. I just wanted to know If anyone could give me any advice for this class.
Thanks……Randy

[Arparamedic04]

Study Hard, I'm not sure about around you but here in NWA you have to be a EMT to get on most if not all career departments here.

If you do not join a career department or EMS, what you learn in EMT school will help you in life anyways.

Z

[kachurak]

READ, READ, READ!

I recently completed my EMT-B class, and I found that the key to doing well (at least in my case) is to keep up with the readings. Listen to your instructors, listen to the assistants that work at your scenario lab stations, and learn your local protocols.

And most of all, HAVE FUN!

[HVFD65LRS372]

Do as many ambulance clinicals as you can. Definitely go to the ER and do some, but try and get as many in the ambulance as possible. I just went through my EMT-B class. I passed the written with 90%, passed the medical station, but failed the trauma station.

Definitely pay attention in class, read the book, take any practice tests that you can. Ride as much in the ambulance as you can so you get used to the flow of things, it will definitely help in practicals. Just remember though, if you ride with an ALS crew you won't be able to do everything that they do in the practicals. Just know your stuff and get as much practice as possible.

Good Luck!

[MedicHop7]

My only advice would be read, read, read and don't get flustered during scenarios or practical skills stations, that what they are there to do, learn it and be confident :-) Good Luck!

[Chief1600]

I have 24 years in career EMS and 14 years in EMS teaching and the best advice I have is to ask questions. Read as much as you can before you go to class and then ask questions to make sure you comprehend the subject. Never leave the class with any doubt or questions unanswered. Also don't be afraid to ask questions because there is probably someone else in the class that has the same question as you do. Also a good instructor will welcome questions because it provides feedback as to whether they are getting thier message across. Good luck with your class.

[Truck26]

The key and best way to become a sucessful emt is to read every part of the book, and make sure you practice getting comfortable with taking vitals and getting your sample which if you haven't learned yet you will.

[emt954]

At 47 years old, I joined a very small Volly FD. Realizing that some day I would need Medicial skills, either for a fire victim or an injuted Firefighter, I took the first responder course. Intrigued with that, and knowing that I would want to give the best care I could, I took a EMT-B class. It wasn't to bad, although I had to study hard to get all that info into my middle age brain.
After completeing the NREMT reg tests and passing, I was afraid that my skills would dull with non use. So I took a PT job with the county EMS. One thing led to another, I found that I really enjoyed helping people, at at age 51, took a full time EMT position. It's tough keeping up with my medics, some of which are young enough to be my children. They call me the "old man". Still by working smarter not harder I manage to do a pretty good job. (pardon my bragging)
My advise would be to use your skills as much as you can so you don't forget them. Perhaps, like me, you will find this job, frustrating, poorly paid, but also the best thing you've ever done!!! There is nothing like the look on a parents face after you've saved thier child, or the softness of a G'ma's smile during a nursing home transfer when they realize you truely care.