EMT student ride along

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jsmk23

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Hello everyone, I am new to the forum.

I am a new EMT student in California and I have my clinical ride along for Cal Fire in a few days.
From experience what can you guys tell me that I should expect.
Obviously you can't always predict what type of call(s) or patient(s) they'll receive, but more on what should the firefighters, medics, and or EMT's expect from me?

Thank You, anything will help.
 
3rd Rider

Good question.....Just listen and observe....If your proctor gives you instructions then do as he or she asks you. Every proctor is different...Some will grill you on subjects you should already know by the time your taking your rides, while some won't say much to you ....If your lucky you will get the former...Goodluck
 
How to take vital signs correctly, what are normal ranges for vitals, 12-lead and limb lead EKG placement, oxygen therapy, bleeding control, backboarding patients.

It all depends on the crew. Some will have you do a lot and expect you to know a lot of information while others will have you do very little.
 
Ask them when you get there. From the crew standpoint I'm going to be a lot more motivated to teach you if you want to learn and come and take initiative. If you show up, don't say a word and sit in the corner or act like you don't want to learn not many crews are going to go out of their way to help you.

We don't get paid extra for it and we pick up more liability.

Everything else in here is good advice too. Pool it all together and you'll be golden.
 
Jump in and don't sit around. Ask as many questions as you can. I did my ride alongs here in SoCal with fire and ambulance and fire was almost always on scene first. My third and fourth rideouts were with fire. During my last rideout with them, I was told to run the calls. Be prepared to do everything as you would as if you already were certified. If you don't know something, don't pretend that you know it. They aren't stupid and can't stand those who pretend to know it all. When you arrive at the station, introduce yourself (to all but especially to the captain). Don't just walk in as if you were at home. Have respect for "their house".
 
Ask to take a look through the squad compartments so you know where things are if they ask for something. If you get a patient that could use O2, go ahead and set up a NC or NRB while the crew is doing medic things. If you're not sure about jumping in, you can hold up the NC/NRB package and get a nod for the go-ahead.

Also, you may have a hard time hearing BPs in the truck over the sound of diesel & road noise. I had a brand new $70 Littman lightweight single lumen stethoscope when I did my clinicals and I couldn't hear :censored::censored::censored::censored:. Turns out I hear much more through a cheap $15 double lumen stethoscope. If you have a chance, practice taking B/Ps on someone in noisy conditions BEFORE you get to clinicals cause that was damn embarrassing
 
Thank you. I appreciate it all. Yeah at least class wise I got vitals, oxygen administration, back boarding down, but I'm sure it's a lot more different out in the field.

I'll take everything down that was given
 
All of the above are great advise. Dont be lazy as most stations hate that. If the floor needs to be swept between calls grab a broom. If the truck need some TLC then wash it. Dont make them tell you to do it (yes some will tell you to do it as they have earned there spot). Ask, Ask, Ask. I have learned more on clinicals than actual class. If you dont know how to do something tell them so and watch them if they dont walk you through it.

and ask. I remember one of my clinicals I went to a fire. As a student of course I can go in the fire or anything. They drug out a firefighter that collapsed and I was helping the medic. The medic tossed a bucket of water on the firfighter (after removing the suit). and put saline in a cooler for a bit and hooked it up to them. I had to ask why. We hadnt really even taken vitals yet or anything. He said they were healthy going in and they have a mask. Most possible issue right now is heat exhaustion. Fastest way to cool with whats on hand is soak them then add cool fluid to the blood (cool saline) now stick them on o2. It was something not taught in my class yet simple and very effective. In class you learn book stuff and basic skills. In the field you learn how to think outside the box while actually using the skills taught in the class setting. BP for example is a big one my class taught us how to take it in a quite room. not out there in the field where its noisy and your hearts beating hard and fast.
 
If they offer to show you something, anything, accept it and pay close attention. They don't technically have to do anything for you except to let you ride along, anything extra is them wanting to help you. Clean stuff, ask lots of questions, go over the medic 10 times. Bring some money to pitch in on dinner, or if you guys eat out you can get your stuff. A nice bag of coffee beans is always a good gesture, and any student who does that get's my full attention.

Handsome Robb said:
We don't get paid extra for it and we pick up more liability.

Everything else in here is good advice too. Pool it all together and you'll be golden.
Click to expand...

I just found out the FD near us actually pays there medics extra if they have a student on there shift. I want to go to their.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
rugbyguy said:
I just found out the FD near us actually pays there medics extra if they have a student on there shift. I want to go to their.
Click to expand...

Flip your usage of "their" and "there" in that paragraph. When you're writing reports on calls, accurate and appropriate spelling and grammar help others see you as a professional.
 
......thanks? Don't really consider proper grammar when posting to forums.
 
rugbyguy said:
......thanks? Don't really consider proper grammar when posting to forums.
Click to expand...

Sure not many other do either (myself included) but is a really habit to get into. Even though I am the worst offender of bad grammer. He does have a really good point.
 
When I have students I feel out how much they know. Most students are not confident and afraid to touch patients. If you feel this way dony worry. Its common.

I'll have them watch the first call usually.
Some students who I can tell are ready I let jump in and do assessments and vitals.
Others who maybe need a nice nudge I'll coach and prompt for answers. They usually catch on.

Know your scope of practice. Many medics will allow, and even expect you, to hook up a monitor and 12 lead and prepare IV supplies and drugs.
Often times hooking up a monitor or 12 lead is out of the scope for an EMT
Its really not a big deal as long as the medic interprets the information and confirms placement. However since medics DO NOT want you doing that especially if its not in your scope, so don't assume. Wait until they ask or offer if you know how. If you don't know, don't worry. Its not your responsibility just a favor many EMTs do for the medic.

Many times a EMT scope includes a vague statement like "May assist or setup ALS procedures under the direction of a paramedic."

I encourage shaking questions when appropriate. While he's visualizing cords is probably not the appropriate time. If it helps write down the questions. Also a big thing for me was, listen to how the medic talks.. What he says, how he says it, what questions lead to other questions etc. Often times questions are coupled with other questions or prompted by something the patient said.
Even now I still ask questions. Theres no shame that's what you're there for.
 
planetmike said:
Flip your usage of "their" and "there" in that paragraph. When you're writing reports on calls, accurate and appropriate spelling and grammar help others see you as a professional.
Click to expand...

As a college English teacher I'd hug you for your proper use of grammar. There, their, and they're. Also, "ain't" isn't a word, and "don't" is a contraction of "do not," so people writing reports need to keep those straight, too. :D
 
Ask a lot of questions and don't be scared to get in and help and if you don't know how to do something, bloody ask, don't make it up and NEVER make up vitals. No shame in saying you don't know how to do something and stepping back to watch someone else do it the first time.
 
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