Video based EMR first responder course?

Hey guys how is everyone doing? Hey I had a quick question and I have no idea where to begin. I just wanted to start out by saying I was a volunteer firefighter for 4 or so years years starting when I was about 21 years old. I’ll be 27 before too long. I was never medically certified in anything but I worked along side an EMT and a paramedic helping them out with whatever they needed.

I had to quit the fire dept about 3 years ago (lost track of time) because of a horrible neurological condition I came down with. Very similar to a head injury. Long story short I was in a blindfold for a year off and on and my functional neurologist said I would have lost my vision if I didn’t get any help. The other symptoms were horrible. Worst pain I ever experienced.

I’m now to a point where I’m very healthy but I can’t read long.... my eyes strain really easy if I read. The small text kills my eyes. My doctor said this will get better over time but it’s gonna take a while. My reading comprehension is not good... I also have autism so it makes it very difficult. I’m often asked how I can cope with being on scenes etc and it’s just because I always thought this was the coolest job in the world. If I really put my mind to it I seem to thrive.

It’s just very difficult for me in a classroom setting. I can do it... but it’s not the best way for me to learn. Reading not only hurts my eyes but I can’t understand the information well.

However if it’s visual like video based or someone showing me... I nail it. I’m a very visual person.

I was wondering if there was such a thing as an online video course for first responder? I think they call it EMR now.... emergency medical responder. When I go back to the fire dept I want to bring back something to show I been training. That would be huge for me.

I know I would have to do psychmotor exam in person and that’s totally cool. I was just wondering if there was a course I could take online that was mostly video based (work at my own pace) kind of thing. I’ve tried looking around but im struggling not knowing where to start. I saw an online EMT course so I know there’s gotta be something out there.

I took a first aid and cpr course a long time ago through Red Cross but I lost my card. If they included that all over again in the course that would be cool. I live in Colorado Springs. I was just wondering if someone could try helping me find what I’m looking for.

I appreciate it so much!!

Welcome to EMTLife!

Why not pursue your EMT-Basic if you're willing to put in the time and effort for the Emergency Medical Responder (glorified first aid)?

There are online options, but they all require an in-person skills portion. Some options:

Texas - http://www.trainingdivision.com/all-courses/ems-training-courses/emergency-medical-response-emr/
Texas - http://www.lifesavercourses.com/ecademy_eca.html

Good luck!

1) most decent / not half assed training courses require a written test at the end. in addition to a psychomotor exams

2) I don't doubt you can do the skills, but will you know why you are doing said skills?

3) there are no 100% purely online EMT classes. They all have some in-person element, even if it's just for testing. And those online or hybrid classes have A LOT of reading that you need to do on your own.

4) even if you were in my in-person EMT class, we do a lot of hands on stuff, but students are expected to read the chapter prior to class; not everything is covered in the lecture, and you are responsible for everything in the textbook.

5) I would call the Colorado department of health and ask them if they would recognize a first responder class that was offered online. they might be able to help you out. https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cd...ncy-care/ems-and-emergency-medical-responders is there website, but I'm sure you can find a phoen number or send an email.

I won't sugar coat it: it will be tough, it will be a lot of work, and you need to know why you are doing the skills in addition to being able to do them. But if you put your mind to it......

Thank you both so much... I really appreciate the feedback! I think what I will end up doing is wait until my eyes are 100%. I have no idea when that will be... and then just go ahead and take a class locally and get my EMT. Ever since my coconut injury I haven't been able to read like I used to. I have a software on my computer that can read my stuff too. (I can read all of this just fine it's just it doesn't take long for my eyes to wear out.) Maybe I could somehow get the books on my computer and while it's being read to me I can kinda scan the pages. I'm really just trying to make it as easy on me as possible.

Drparasite - I definitely understand all that you said. I'll probably just take it day by day and see what happens... and when I am ready I will give it a shot. I am pretty sure the fire dept does free EMT courses for the volunteers... So that may be a good time to do it as well.

Thank you guys so much