First day

[Jay114]

Yesterday I had my first shift; 16 hours as a third rider with a bls crew. We had 7 patients and 3 were emergency calls. I had numerous opportunities to practice my skills during the day and everyone was supportive and encouraging. The capper was a call an hour before I was to leave. My crew supported ALS on a 30 min ride to downtown Boston with a patient with a serious head injury. I bagged the patient the whole way. It was amazing. I felt excited but was calm at the same time. I was exhausted after the shift, still a bit groggy, but I can't wait to go back again tomorrow!

 

[Chimpie]

Awesome!!!!

 

[bstone]

Sounds like you had a fantastic time. Keep it up!!!!

 

[medicdan]

Yesterday I had my first shift; 16 hours as a third rider with a bls crew. We had 7 patients and 3 were emergency calls. I had numerous opportunities to practice my skills during the day and everyone was supportive and encouraging. The capper was a call an hour before I was to leave. My crew supported ALS on a 30 min ride to downtown Boston with a patient with a serious head injury. I bagged the patient the whole way. It was amazing. I felt excited but was calm at the same time. I was exhausted after the shift, still a bit groggy, but I can't wait to go back again tomorrow!

That sounds great. Keep practicing skills and asking questions.
Can I ask-- what training program in MA has ride-alongs set up? Since they are not required for MA cert, I didn't think anyone ran them... Are you running with a service on the north shore?

 

[Jay114]

That sounds great. Keep practicing skills and asking questions.
Can I ask-- what training program in MA has ride-alongs set up? Since they are not required for MA cert, I didn't think anyone ran them... Are you running with a service on the north shore?

This isn't a training program, its my first week of work as an EMT-B. My company, and I assume others, has new folks do ride alongs as a third crew member with experienced crews to give experience and to gauge where you are at in the learning curve. Fyi, When Seconds Count is a EMT-B training program on the north shore that mandates ride alongs as part of their course.