Haha! Excited but nervous......

[ayblinkin]

30 years of experience is great but not a substitute for a properly educated instructor with a degree. You can learn the "street knowledge" from senior medics once on the job, you need an educator in the classroom.

Didn't mean to exclude...they both have degrees. One is now an admin in EMS and the other is an anatomy professor at a major university. Both are great educators and very informative. Couldn't ask for better.

 

[codethree]

When was the last time you took an EMT class? Not all classes are created equal and not all classes are "first aid". Just because Basics don't push drugs doesn't mean your smarter than us or that the class is "easy".

My EMT class was very heavy on the A&P and Pathology. There is a reason we spent 280 hours in class instead of the legally required 180.

I don't claim to know everything or that EMT class even prepared me for the real world, but to call it an "easy" class or to dumb it down is not only an insult to Basics but also to you as well. I am sure you didn't go to school to be an "ambulance driver" but I promise you that some people think that of you. Basic skills are used far more than ALS skills and having a competent basic will do better for a patient than an incompetent medic.

To the OP: Holy cow that is a really fast class. If you pay attention, the class isn't that hard. If you get behind expect it to be very difficult. For this reason you need to make sure you understand the topic as its being covered. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Your class is really fast and I feel that will be a huge disadvantage for you as I don't think you will be getting the best education.

Finally, remember Basic is ONLY a foundation. There are a lot of classes you can take and skills you can learn. Even if you can't do something doesn't mean you can't learn about it. I can't push narcotics but I still like to learn as much as I can about them. Same with EKG's.

Good luck.

Strongly agree! Basics do alot depending on the state you are in. Also the basis education is the foundation to ALL emergency care. I also did over the amount of hours and my class was also well into the A&P. Best advice.. study hard, remember what you are studying is really life or death so take it seriously. And most of all keep learning new things to keep you up on the material. Good Luck

 

[NYMedic828]

Strongly agree! Basics do alot depending on the state you are in. Also the basis education is the foundation to ALL emergency care. I also did over the amount of hours and my class was also well into the A&P. Best advice.. study hard, remember what you are studying is really life or death so take it seriously. And most of all keep learning new things to keep you up on the material. Good Luck

Define a lot?

Even an EMT class extended to 300 hours, double the length of some classes, does not incorporate any proficient level of A&P. What do you consider "well into A&P?" A college level A&P 1/2 class could be over 100 hours alone plus hours of self study. (Mind you a medic lacks this as well)

It's hardly life or death 99% of the time.

Don't mean to come down on you, but I get defensive when people are under the impression that their training has any level of sufficiency.

 

[Martyn]

I start my emt course oct22 this Monday! I'm not going to lie I'm a little nervous. It's a 21 day course 3x a week M W F from 900-1500, idk what to expect! Which me luck! I shall be asking a lot of questions on here soon !

Sorry but I agree with several others (I do wish you luck though, lots of it) 21 days at 6 hours a day = 126 hours. Can't see what good that is. Where are you taking it? How much is it costing you? For comparison:-

480 contact hours, that doesn't include 110 hours ambulance ride or 10 ER that we had to do. How much ride along time do you have to do? I am not trying to be negative but there are threads/posts on here regarding these short courses and if you have a look they all generate the same response...bewilderment. Anyway, after the rant, I do wish you luck and any problems/questions we are always here on the forum...good luck.

 

[Martyn]

Define a lot?

Even an EMT class extended to 300 hours, double the length of some classes, does not incorporate any proficient level of A&P. What do you consider "well into A&P?" A college level A&P 1/2 class could be over 100 hours alone plus hours of self study. (Mind you a medic lacks this as well)

It's hardly life or death 99% of the time.

Don't mean to come down on you, but I get defensive when people are under the impression that their training has any level of sufficiency.

Even 480 hours isn't enough

 

[Martyn]

Just found out where you are taking the course. I have looked at their website before and just noticed this:

The program is intended for those who want to gain employment as a firefighter, emergency care technician at a hospital and Ambulance driver or attendant.

Sorry but I don't hold ANY value with a course that calls us 'Ambulance driver'... :rofl:


http://www.ciemt.com/basic-course.asp

 

[RocketMedic]

My training is woefully inadequate.

 

[medic417]

If a person cannot complete an emt basic class that is less than 1 month and do as good as an emt basic that took a one year class they don't belong in EMS. Basic is not rocket science and the 110 hours is 110 hours no matter how you stretch it out.

 

[nwhitney]

I start my emt course oct22 this Monday! I'm not going to lie I'm a little nervous. It's a 21 day course 3x a week M W F from 900-1500, idk what to expect! Which me luck! I shall be asking a lot of questions on here soon !

Best of luck to you. As others have said it's an easy course. I think the challenge will be going through the class in 3 weeks.

The main thing I learned from my Basic class is that I know crap when it comes to A&P, pathology and EMS. However that is also the driving force behind my desire to continue my education and I hope it is for you too.

 

[MendezEmt]

Sorry but I agree with several others (I do wish you luck though, lots of it) 21 days at 6 hours a day = 126 hours. Can't see what good that is. Where are you taking it? How much is it costing you? For comparison:-

480 contact hours, that doesn't include 110 hours ambulance ride or 10 ER that we had to do. How much ride along time do you have to do? I am not trying to be negative but there are threads/posts on here regarding these short courses and if you have a look they all generate the same response...bewilderment. Anyway, after the rant, I do wish you luck and any problems/questions we are always here on the forum...good luck.

I'm taking it at ciemt, it costed me 850$
We have a 10 clinical ride along,( I've been an la county fire explorer for 5 years now I know what to expect in a 12-24 hour shift

 

[MendezEmt]

Thanks guys, yesterday was my first day it was a lot of information but got it down,