That guy...

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MarioKart

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In my early 40s, haven't been to school in a while, though part of my job is to always be learning and stay current on specific technologies (Software/Hardware Professional).

Becoming an EMT is somewhat of a bucket-list item for me. Those few times (I seem to have a nic for it) where something bad happens, and I happen to be there before the Pros -you guys- arrive, and that feeling of helplessness.

But not just that, the challenge to learn A&P more in depth than high school level, and increasing my own knowledge of life saving techniques is something I've wanted for a very long time. Not a matter of IF, but rather of HOW. It's a quest of learning how to be prepared.

I'm not planning to become a full time EMT or work in the Industry. I do have 5 years in the Healthcare Industry supporting clinicians and Hospitalists, and I very much enjoyed being part of a system (that aside from all its politics and usual workplace BS) is committed to helping people heal. I think having the knowledge and some practice is a good thing to carry around with me anywhere I go.

What in your estimation is a realistic approach for someone like me who is willing to learn and put the time in between my regular work shifts and family stuff, but is really committed to achieving this goal?

Medically I fear I am only at CPR level. If a puppy is choking on Purina, I give it 50-50 chances for now. ;)

Part of me wonders if going for First Responder is in order, then moving onto EMT-B, or if I should do some College A&P, a couple of related courses (to wake up the neurons up there) and then jump into a local EMT Program, how do you see it?

Thanks, and stay safe out there.
 
This is a tricky question. MY OPINION is that you should be able to just go into an EMT-B class. I was working and did the class simultaneous with work(40-55 hrs a week for my job). I had no issues with my teacher, never failed a test(came close a few times), but i went in with a fundamental knowledge of some kind of anatomy(not advanced by any means). If your not looking to change over to EMS full time, i'd say go for it. Thats what i just finished, i will continue working my main job, and supplement income with EMS(or just volunteer if I feel in a giving mood/girlfriend makes me with her). I do not know much about the emergency first responder, i think its just cpr and showing some equipment, but do not quote me on that. If you want to become an EMT-B you can, I personally see it as common sense, theres no rocket science in being a basic(TO ME). But if you go on quizlet or khan academy a few weeks before your class to get back into the "school spirit", and get your volunteer corps to pay for it, go for it, instructors don't look to fail you, they just look to make sure you know what to do and won't be detrimental to patient care.
Feel free to pm me for questions, I just finished my EMT-B class in August
 
MarioKart said:
Medically I fear I am only at CPR level. If a puppy is choking on Purina, I give it 50-50 chances for now. ;)

Part of me wonders if going for First Responder is in order, then moving onto EMT-B, or if I should do some College A&P, a couple of related courses (to wake up the neurons up there) and then jump into a local EMT Program, how do you see it?

Thanks, and stay safe out there.
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Honestly? You sound more qualified than most. Go straight for your basic, chances are you'll do fine.

You'd probably be a good paramedic, too if this is another "bucke list" goal of yours.
 
Thanks for your kind comments. I have picked up lots of knowledge along the way, enough to make me "dangerous". That's why I decided to get this thing out of the bucket and put it on the table, have it become a real goal. (Part of my work/training is with Laerdal simulators, OSCE drills, that sort of thing, though I do the support as people run through, rather than being the student myself, well not officially).

I live in the greater Sacramento area in California, and over the last month found two people down, one that had passed out and fallen on his back/head, and another -just this weekend- that fell just outside a liquor store, lascerating his head pretty good. I was able to pull in with the fam in the car, have them call it in while I grabbed my car kit, gloved up (nobody wants them pathogens) and was able to keep the drunken man stable until the hose draggers (;)) showed up and were able to C-collar him, and such. I didn't go past the very basics of comforting the patient and gathering basic info about him and his injury, but I did feel helpless and almost in the way when proper help got there. But then that's also another discussion altogether perhaps, involvement when in a populated area and help is underway.

Being a seeming magnet for walking into these situations (I swear, either people get hurt a lot where I leave, or the universe is trying to tell me something) and having my own family, it's good knowledge to have (before I let too much time go by and the wife ends up buying me a "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up" device, he he).

Thanks for the encouragement so far as well.
 
MarioKart said:
Thanks for your kind comments. I have picked up lots of knowledge along the way, enough to make me "dangerous". That's why I decided to get this thing out of the bucket and put it on the table, have it become a real goal. (Part of my work/training is with Laerdal simulators, OSCE drills, that sort of thing, though I do the support as people run through, rather than being the student myself, well not officially).

I live in the greater Sacramento area in California, and over the last month found two people down, one that had passed out and fallen on his back/head, and another -just this weekend- that fell just outside a liquor store, lascerating his head pretty good. I was able to pull in with the fam in the car, have them call it in while I grabbed my car kit, gloved up (nobody wants them pathogens) and was able to keep the drunken man stable until the hose draggers (;)) showed up and were able to C-collar him, and such. I didn't go past the very basics of comforting the patient and gathering basic info about him and his injury, but I did feel helpless and almost in the way when proper help got there. But then that's also another discussion altogether perhaps, involvement when in a populated area and help is underway.

Being a seeming magnet for walking into these situations (I swear, either people get hurt a lot where I leave, or the universe is trying to tell me something) and having my own family, it's good knowledge to have (before I let too much time go by and the wife ends up buying me a "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up" device, he he).

Thanks for the encouragement so far as well.
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Very good, kind sir. Just remember those "hose draggers" are part of the team, too:).

Disclaimer: I am not a "hose dragger", and any/ all similarities to this term is merely a coincidence.
 
The term was used in the most respectful manner indeed, any man/woman who runs towards danger rather than from it, deserve nothing less than 100% respect. :)
 
MarioKart said:
Becoming an EMT is somewhat of a bucket-list item for me.
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It totally was for me, too.

You're more than qualified to take an EMT course. The initial courses assume little to no knowledge, and the average EMT textbook is written at a high school (or lower) level. Indeed, the A&P knowledge required of an EMT given our current educational standards is at or below the high school level, so any inclination towards furthering your knowledge is to be lauded.

Give it a shot! If you want to ease into it, consider taking an EMR or "First Responder" course first!
 
To the OP, I did pretty much what you're considering: got into EMS at 39 after many years in the corporate world. I started as a volunteer, became an EMT, then a medic, went to work in EMS part time, then full time. At 63, looking back, I'd say there were more pros than cons.
 
It's so great to hear others over the age of 30/40 thinking about this career path. I'm 34/f and will be signing up for an EMT-B course this Jan. As a vet and new weekend warrior (ANG), I can't image sitting in an office, eight hours a day, anytime in the near future. I have minimal BLS knowledge and will be taking the EMT course along with other college credits in Med Office Admin (sigh). I'm greedily searching for info on this course and employment experience. I gather no one does it purely for the pay check. Good luck to you!
 
VentMonkey said:
Disclaimer: I am not a "hose dragger", and any/ all similarities to this term is merely a coincidence.
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But of course you are ! Nose hoses, trach hoses, chest tubes... Size doesn't matter, innit ?
 
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Qulevrius said:
But of course you are ! Nose hoses, trach hoses, chest tubes... Size doesn't matter, innit ?
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ANGMotto said:
It's so great to hear others over the age of 30/40 thinking about this career path....
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I was 49 when I became an EMT, and 53 when I became a Medic ... You're never too old.

Trouble is that everyone assumes I'm the grizzled old veteran when my 25 yo partner who became an EMT at 16 can run circles around me :-)
 
PA EMT said:
I was 49 when I became an EMT, and 53 when I became a Medic ... You're never too old.

Trouble is that everyone assumes I'm the grizzled old veteran when my 25 yo partner who became an EMT at 16 can run circles around me :)
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Perks of looking old and grizzled. Can't start counting how many times a patient would dismiss a younger medic/EMT only because they looked like 'rookie kids'.
 
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ANGMotto said:
It's so great to hear others over the age of 30/40 thinking about this career path. I'm 34/f and will be signing up for an EMT-B course this Jan.
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I'm glad to see some older folks as well. I'm 31 and was a career high school teacher when I took my EMT class. It was always a bucket list thing for me too. In the scheme of things I know 30-something isn't that old, but I sure felt old doing ride-alongs with 22 year old medics. Now I'm in school to be a medic myself and hopefully make EMS my new career.

To the OP: Just go for the EMT class. You seem like you have a good head on your shoulders, and have a little medical knowledge already. I think you'd "outgrow" a first responder class quickly. That being said, any A&P you're willing to take may not be necessary, but is a really good idea nonetheless. You'll be able to understand the medicine a while lot better and, hey, you'll need those classes when you inevitably decide to go for your medic ;).
 
You can do it. I'm 42, work 7:30a-5:30p, and go to an EMT-B night class from 6p-10p 4nights/week, and I'm caregiver for my spouse. Not going to lie, it's been hard, but I'm making it & have kept a solid B average. My plan was to get my Basic & be a volunteer. Right before our ER time & ride-outs began, I started feeling burnt out (wasn't getting enough sleep) and was losing confidence in myself. I thought maybe I really couldn't hack it after all & wouldn't make it to the end of the program, which is a month away. Lemme tell you, ER time & ride-outs were just what I needed. I love it and I'm so hooked. Now I'm considering going on to AEMT, and I looked up paramedic classes at the college yesterday...just to see (for now?).
 
Leporidae said:
I'm 42, work 7:30a-5:30p, and go to an EMT-B night class from 6p-10p 4nights/week, and I'm caregiver for my spouse.
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I believe this is what the younger crowd refers to as "beast mode", strong work.
 
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