Opinion on Age

[lampnyter]

Ive been on the truck since i was 16. Dealing with patients, doing CPR, the whole 9 yards.

 

[medic4798]

You have a lot to prove, not just because of your age, but because of your shiny new card. You need to be on time, show up with a clean uniform and decent looking footwear. You need to be that person who is first out the door to wash the rigs, check out the spare unit(s), and do the food run. You're not the station slave, but initiative and enthusiasm will carry you far. Keep your mouth closed and your ears open. When you do have something to say, you don't need to use expletives to get your point across; keep the gutter language where it belongs. Believe me, it doesn't impress people nearly as much as you think it does. Acceptance will come slowly, but it will come. Wait for it and don't expect a thing. Most importantly, you're 16; leave time for all the good things that go with being your age and don't spend every waking moment at the station. Best of luck...

Well Stated..! I will add that you will soon run into other provider's that think it's cool to have a "been there, done that" type attitude. Please don't let them suck you into that. It's dangerous. EVERY call is different, and you'll learn soon enough that when you let your guard down..you will promptly get burned. Good luck!

 

[bahnrokt]

Good for you. If medicine is something you want to get into as an adult, dont let anyone give you :censored::censored::censored::censored: over becoming an EMT at 16.

Work hard, keep your head down, AVOID STATION POLITICS AND NO SEX IN THE BACK OF THE RIG.

 

[medicRob]

I haven't read anything other than the original post, and really don't intend too.

That being said, I don't really have an opinion one way or the other at this point, not because I am for or against, but rather because here in TN, our equivalent basics have to be 18 to enter the program as they must take the NR. Furthermore, I'd imagine it is a nightmare for HPSO and other Malpractice insurance providers (which is another reason we dont let anyone under 18 in class, because our lowest level is i/85 and has to log a certain amount of IV starts)...

On July 1, 2011 Tennessee will be effectively allowing individuals at the age of 17 to take the first responder exam. I think that would be a good program to teach in high school to introduce students to EMS.

As far as the limited scope of the EMT-B goes, here are a few issues I can think of:

1. Insurability (Both to practice and to drive)
2. Labor laws
3. The lack of judgement the majority (not all) of individuals below the age of 18 (really 21) possess.

 

[usalsfyre]

...NO SEX IN THE BACK OF THE RIG.

Or the Champagne Room for that matter.

I rode an ambulance starting at 17 as an assistant, but was not certified till 18. There's worse things for a 16 or 17 year old to be doing. That said, I'm not sure I'd reccomend it either.

 

[usafmedic45]

NO SEX IN THE BACK OF THE RIG

Well...just don't get caught. LOL

 

[Seaglass]

Seconding pretty much everything Vene said. I don't accept the idea that the current literature on PFC development in adolescents generalizes beyond typical college kids. Give me some studies on PFC development that sample adolescents who've been at war, raising families, or whatever at the same age that show the same results. Until then, I won't accept that the PFC suddenly developing right around the time adult responsibilities are typically assumed is a total coincidence.

I just think being 16 is way to young for someone to be in care for a Pt. I can just see it now a little 16y/o kid does a ride along with ALS see's a female around his age or even in there 20's or 30's and the female Pt is a trauma and they take her shirt and bra off and he gets all excited and gets immature and starts talking with all his freinds about it. Ya the girl may have a nice body (figure) but i could just see a little 16y/o running to all his friends talking about it or smiling in the back of an ambulance trying not to laugh because there all excited.

Because we know that all older providers have totally outgrown their creeper phase...

 

[lampnyter]

I dont see whats wrong with a 16 y/o being on the truck. Thats when i started and a bunch of my friends that are now medics started.

 

[mint_condition]

i think that age is only a number, and there will be some 16 y/o that can hadle it,and some that cant. its more of a judgement call to me, that's better than being stereotypical about it and saying that all 16 y/o are immature.

 

[medicRob]

i think that age is only a number, and there will be some 16 y/o that can hadle it,and some that cant. its more of a judgement call to me, that's better than being stereotypical about it and saying that all 16 y/o are immature.

I agree. My main issue would be related to insurability for practice as well as to drive.. the premiums for a 16 year old driver are through the roof in most cases. I would imagine that the insurance an ambulance service carries for its vehicles has a policy that requires all drivers to be 18 or older. Moreover, in most situations, you want the Paramedic in the back. Also, if the malpractice insurance of the service will not cover an 18 year old, the individual is screwed anyways.

 

[spike91]

Personally I'm surprised they let me get behind the wheel of a car when I was 16, god only knows the dumb sh*t I would've done if they gave me an EMT Card. But more power to you. I'm still a teenager, and I've learned to know what I don't know and admit it; nothing like talking big and getting caught with your pants down. Never be afraid to ask for help and just do your thing. And ignore anyone else who tells you otherwise. As long as the sh*t you get is in good fun, roll with it, and ignore the rest.

 

[lampnyter]

In the city next to mine the ambulance service is ALL high school students. The school has an ambulance docking station and if there is a call they leave class.

 

[medicRob]

In the city next to mine the ambulance service is ALL high school students. The school has an ambulance docking station and if there is a call they leave class.

Where is this at? I have never heard of any service in the US like this. I'd be interested in reading up on this and finding out how they deal with the red tape regarding insurability, etc.

 

[lampnyter]

http://www.post53.info/

 

[jjesusfreak01]

http://www.post53.info/

I'll summarize. The Darien EMS service is comprised of adult volunteers who provide A-EMT level service when needed in QRS vehicles, young adult EMT-Bs who have been members of the service since 14 and certified as EMTs at 16, and paramedic response when needed from a nearby fire station.

All basic calls will have at least 1 experienced EMT on board, intermediate calls will have 2 EMTs and an A-EMT, and Paramedic level calls will have at least 2 EMTs, a Paramedic, and an A-EMT.

During school hours the adult volunteers staff the first response ambulance instead of their QRS vehicles, and if a second unit is needed the on call students are paged out from school to respond.

 

[emt seeking first job]

I commend the original poster.

Instead of hanging out at the mall, playing video games, he is doing something adult and productive.

He is gaining experience. He works with someone 18 and over. He is part of an organization.

It is not as if his entire service is a bunch of 16 year olds. He is a 16 year old member of an adult organization and he is better off there than most places 16 year olds end up.

What about a 33 year old playing video games in his moms basement.

I just caution him to choose his off-duty teenage friends very carefully. Ask your family to rent you the movie " A Bronx Tale"...........

 

[FutureRescue]

I personally congratulate anyone who has a definite career picked out at that age. I am 23 and am just figuring out what I am doing. Kudos to you kid.

As far as age goes, I am ok with it as long as the teen exemplifies strong knowledge and professionalism as a typical adult would. Yes, we do have our moments of immaturity as well, but we do know there is a time and a place for that.

Keep your head up high and continue to do as you do, and you will be fine. At the end of the day you have helped more people than most people do in a life time. That's what it is all about: helping. Good luck!

 

[Youngin]

I totally understand where you're coming from. I'm 19 and starting paramedic school earlier than any of the older EMTs are. I just got a new job working at an ambulance service and am really excited. The occasional "sweetheart" and "honey" still irks me sometimes, but you have to show them that you can't be broken down easily and that you can handle ANYTHING. Don't do anything stupid and use your age to your advantage while at the same time maintaining professionalism. Good luck to ya, kid.

You don't like being called "honey" or "sweetheart"? Make sure you stay above the Mason-Dixon line.

 

[Soco_and_Lime]

How in the hell do you think it's ok to operate a BLS unit when only one of the two people can drive? I'm not even getting started on the duties of an EMT.

Even if 16 year olds can drive in your state, there's no way in hell they should be behind the wheel of a mobile medical facility that has the authority and capability to disregard traffic laws.

If they CAN'T drive, it's beyond me how you can operate a crew with one driver, dedicating the 16 year old to patient care regardless of the nature of the call.

 

[JPINFV]

How in the hell do you think it's ok to operate a BLS unit when only one of the two people can drive? I'm not even getting started on the duties of an EMT.

Operationally, it's not that much of a problem actually.

Even if 16 year olds can drive in your state, there's no way in hell they should be behind the wheel of a mobile medical facility that has the authority and capability to disregard traffic laws.

True, but the same can be said about a lot of EMTs and paramedics over the age of 18.

If they CAN'T drive, it's beyond me how you can operate a crew with one driver, dedicating the 16 year old to patient care regardless of the nature of the call.

I can't argue with this.