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foreverpsycotic

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I start my EMT class in 9 days, taking it at a local community college. After the course, I get to take the CT test and can take the NREMT test. The goal is to go volunteer after that and soak up all the experience I can.

The pointers I have gotten so far:
Get your own BP cuff and stethoscope (was told to get a Littmann, leaning towards the lightweight) and practice as much as you can.
The ever so obvious RTFM.
Tune out anything the instructor says about his personal experience, follow the book and gain experience later.

Anything I should look out for or refrain from?
 
As an EMT student don't drop a lot of money on a littmann. The $20 steths work just fine for what you will need them for.
 
Respectfully beg to differ. Assessment is assessment. And lung sounds are a part of any assessment that a competent EMT should be doing.
 
Wes said:
Respectfully beg to differ. Assessment is assessment. And lung sounds are a part of any assessment that a competent EMT should be doing.
Click to expand...

And you can only get lung sounds with a littmann? First time I've heard this.

You can easily hear lung sounds with a $20 steth.
 
It may be my old dude (39 next month) ears or it may be diesel, but I've had better luck with a decent stethoscope than I have the $20 specials at the uniform store. Doesn't have to be a Littmann. I know you're paying a premium for that name. Probably my favorite set of ears is my MDF ER Premier. It's about 2/3 the cost of a Littmann cardiology.
 
The issue with spending money on a steth is it can be a waste of money. If the OP decides to not be an EMT or doesn't pass the class and decides to not take it again, now the steth is useless. If the OP gets hired at a company that provides high dollar steths then once again it was a waste of money.

For the EMT level just stay with a cheap steth until you get hired. We still have plenty of EMTs and Medics who use the cheap steths that our company provides without any issues.
 
There's a gigantic thread that details the pluses and minuses of all the stethoscopes. It's called the "stethoscope mega thread".

http://www.emtlife.com/showthread.php?t=6096

If you'd like to debate stethoscopes, feel free to do it there. Otherwise… Let's keep this thread on-topic.
 
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DEmedic said:
There's a gigantic thread that details the pluses and minuses of all the stethoscopes. It's called the "stethoscope mega thread". If you'd like to debate stethoscopes, feel free to do it there. Otherwise… Let's keep this thread on-topic.
Click to expand...

Always have to take the fun out of it :P

OP, pre read your EMT book. It makes lectures easier if you have already went over the information once before (personal experience).
 
Concur! And don't be afraid to supplement your reading!
 
DesertEMT66 said:
The issue with spending money on a steth is it can be a waste of money. If the OP decides to not be an EMT or doesn't pass the class and decides to not take it again, now the steth is useless. If the OP gets hired at a company that provides high dollar steths then once again it was a waste of money.

For the EMT level just stay with a cheap steth until you get hired. We still have plenty of EMTs and Medics who use the cheap steths that our company provides without any issues.
Click to expand...

A little more background on me:
A $40 scope isn't going to break the bank, I am a 25 year old with a secure full time job in IT.
College degree already, I am quite familiar with busting *** and passing the class. The class is something I have wanted to do all year, unfortunately it didn't start until now.
Avid shooter, I have purchased firearms without even shooting them (which I could have lost more than a $40 scope). Hell, 1/2 my holsters cost more than the scope and most of them just sit in a drawer as I have deemed them unworthy for a variety of reasons.
Speaking of shooting, this is the main reason I want to get some training, I distrust other's lack of training if something were to happen at a range and some of the ranges I go to are 45 min - 1 hour away from a hospital.
As for getting hired for a company, I highly doubt that I will be getting hired out of the gate. Places around here are looking for experience, without at least a year of it I am going to be going no-where. I am not looking at this as a FT job, looking to learn valuable skills that will last a lifetime and to volunteer when I can (weekend/holiday shifts).
 
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With that being said, I will take the purchase of a more expensive scope under advisement. It is kinda hard to get out of the buy once, cry once philosophy.
Not to drive my thread into the black abyss of comparisons, would the $40 littmann be a better overall purchase than a $20 scope that I would need/desire to replace.
 
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