Wish me luck!!! I start my class tomorrow!!!!

[reaper]

You're against people under 17 learning? Nope
You're against people under 17 acquiring skills that they can use on family and friends in an emergency since they can't work on an ambulance? Nope

Majority of Basic can be performed by a layperson.

Exactly!
Do away with it all together and we would not have this problem!

 

[ResTech]

An EMT doesnt go through their career limited to knowing what they learned in 140hrs. Only a half of what you will learn as an EMT is learned during the initial training. The other half you learn in the field and through continuing education. An EMT with many years of solid experience is worth more than a layperson.

 

[Hockey]

WWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tomorrow is the first day of my EMT-B class!!! I just got done washing, ironing, and lint-rolling my uniform and it looks great!!!! i polished my belt cutter, stethescope and shoes to the brightest shine possible. I washed, waxed, and polished my truck so that I could show up in and look professional when I got there. Went to the dentist Friday for a teeth cleaning, and haven't had any pop or anything since then. Brushing 4 times a day to keep from getting plaque before I go in. Got a haircut yesterday and bought me a shiny new watch with a second hand. They said it would be recommended we have a laptop to work from, and I already had Sony Vaio I bought for myself at Christmas, so I cleaned up my case for it and wiped down the screen and keys so it looks brand new. Am I forgetting anything?

The agenda for tomorrow is a formal introduction, then we're going right out on the street as soon as we get a call. Yes, I am going to get the new Braun! At the end of the shift there is supposed to be a video lesson on how to be a good student, etc. etc. We should be done and ready to go home around 6 PM or so. I plan to stick around and get t oknow my instructors a little bit better, and maybe help them do end-of-shift ops (paperwork, cleaning, checks, etc.). I really feel good about this; I think it's going to be a good decision. I don't get those feelings very often, but they are usually very accurate. Ha, maybe I can become the world's first psychic EMT lol. Well, time to get to bed and spend the night sleeplessly tossing and turning in anticipation of the most important day of my life so far.

should I bring my little digital camera to take pics of my first day in EMT class? I would like to but don't want to give everyone the wrong impression

it just so happens that one of my instructors is a chick. To say it in short, let's just say that if we ever get a cardiac pt. we won't even need a defibrillator...yes, very shocking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

well it's just that I want everything to be perfect and not screw up on the stupidest little thing. I have never really prepared for anything in my entire life and this seemed like the perfect chance to start. I had my first class today and it was amazing. I felt like showing up 100% prepared helped me feel more confident in myself, and I think that helped me learn better today.

Quoted for the epic awesomeness this thread has

 

[Sasha]

I 100% agree. And as I suggested, he oughta take another (better) class before he starts working in EMS. It is a waste of money, but again he already started this one. And I can't honestly blame him.

He didn't pay for the class, so he wouldn't be wasting money by bowing out gracefully. The class sounds really... bad. 5 kids at an inhouse training center who will respond to calls with their instructors... So in reality little learning might be done, AND you might be scaring the hell out of patients when a medic, emt, and five kids show up. I am also not a fan of inhouse training. He hasn't even made mention of getting a textbook.

An EMT with many years of solid experience is worth more than a layperson.

But still not worth much 'til they get their butt into medic school.

You're against people under 17 learning?

You're against people under 17 acquiring skills that they can use on family and friends in an emergency since they can't work on an ambulance?


Majority of Basic can be performed by a layperson.

But it's with hope that the layperson is mature enough to handle the emergency. He hasn't shown any kind of maturity on this site, and I suspect he doesn't show it in "class". I'm willing to bet the first time the tones drop he goes into SVT.

 

[surub]

But it's with hope that the layperson is mature enough to handle the emergency. He hasn't shown any kind of maturity on this site, and I suspect he doesn't show it in "class". I'm willing to bet the first time the tones drop he goes into SVT.

That made me giggle inside

 

[Sail195]

Live high school.

That is one of the best things said yet... He will probably look back on this in 10 years and regret doing it soon for the shear fact that he missed out on alot of the stuff that kids get to do... Now I know not all can say this but High School was truly one of the best times of my life, I didnt rush it and I enjoyed every day of it... Is he going to be able to look back and say the same....

With that said I wish him the best of luck and as I said in an earlier post keep organized.. I would suggest getting a pocket planner or if you have a phone with calender function use it! That is what got me through college between work, classes and my DJ business... just put everything in there so you don't forget! it may seem like a pain in the butt, trust me you will thank me later when your not stressing out trying to figure out whats due on this day and do I have work or class tomorrow lol

 

[subliminal1284]

That is one of the best things said yet... He will probably look back on this in 10 years and regret doing it soon for the shear fact that he missed out on alot of the stuff that kids get to do... Now I know not all can say this but High School was truly one of the best times of my life, I didnt rush it and I enjoyed every day of it... Is he going to be able to look back and say the same....

With that said I wish him the best of luck and as I said in an earlier post keep organized.. I would suggest getting a pocket planner or if you have a phone with calender function use it! That is what got me through college between work, classes and my DJ business... just put everything in there so you don't forget! it may seem like a pain in the butt, trust me you will thank me later when your not stressing out trying to figure out whats due on this day and do I have work or class tomorrow lol

Bingo thats exactly why I dont think anyone under 17 should be taking the course. They need to be a kid and worry about kid things. If anything do as I did and get first aid and cpr certifed and join an explorer program.

 

[rescue99]

I am in no way suggesting Paramedichopeful's situation is similar however; most secondary education EMT programs are alternative high school courses. Alternative education programs provide some students with an opportunity to complete a high school education and learn a marketable skill. This gives hope where in some instances, there was none.

 

[Cory]

That is one of the best things said yet... He will probably look back on this in 10 years and regret doing it soon for the shear fact that he missed out on alot of the stuff that kids get to do... Now I know not all can say this but High School was truly one of the best times of my life, I didnt rush it and I enjoyed every day of it... Is he going to be able to look back and say the same....

With that said I wish him the best of luck and as I said in an earlier post keep organized.. I would suggest getting a pocket planner or if you have a phone with calender function use it! That is what got me through college between work, classes and my DJ business... just put everything in there so you don't forget! it may seem like a pain in the butt, trust me you will thank me later when your not stressing out trying to figure out whats due on this day and do I have work or class tomorrow lol

Yeah, I totaly agree. And as much as I hate to admit it, I am 15 and I don't know if I could handle watching a person die while I treat them or any of the horrible things y'all see.

The worst thing I have seen so far was a 5 pound plastic dummy have a heart attack

But really, good luck. Enjoy it, and just take all this advice (even the rude advice) and make good use of it. I think you'll make a good medic some day as long as you take a better course somehwere else closer to your career in EMS.

-Cory-

 

[Shishkabob]

OryCory: age has nothing to do with being able to watch someone die. You don't wake up on your 18th and go "let's see the bodies!!" (atleast I hope not)

 

[NC13]

From someone whose in EMT-B class right now: Chill out bro. We have a couple of kids like you in my class, they show up with their pen light, trauma shears, and knife attached to their belt for the first day of LECTURE. just relax. i don't think you need your pen light to learn about PCR's and duty to act.

 

[medic417]

Actually that pen light would be handy if you took one of my classes. I sometimes walk in shut off all lights and guess what you have to run a scenario. If no one has a light pretty difficult.

 

[Sasha]

Actually that pen light would be handy if you took one of my classes. I sometimes walk in shut off all lights and guess what you have to run a scenario. If no one has a light pretty difficult.

The end all to most any scenario "Look, I found his DNR!"

 

[EMT11KDL]

The end all to most any scenario "Look, I found his DNR!"

Now if we could only find his wallet to make sure we have the right person for the DNR... o no, hotelco is the patient :sad:

 

[Cory]

OryCory: age has nothing to do with being able to watch someone die. You don't wake up on your 18th and go "let's see the bodies!!" (atleast I hope not)

Well, no. But any study can show you, based on puberty and mental maturity, 18 year olds are more likely to be able to handle situations like that better than 15 year olds. That of course does not include some variables, like life experiences. I have been fortunate enough to not have seen too many bad accidents or deaths in my lifetime, but who knows, by time I'm 18 and have been driving for two years, I might have been in a bad wreck or anything.

My staement was in the general sense. And I don't think paramedichopeful is a very disturbed person, he seems pretty happy.

But I can say that at 15, I would have no problem seeing blood, sticking tubes in people's throats, or even seeing death there on scene. I am a person who reacts first, and dwells later. But I don't think at 15 I could go through too many casualties before it would start really getting to me. And maybe not at 18 either, i don't know yet.

 

[Sasha]

But I can say that at 15, I would have no problem seeing blood, sticking tubes in people's throats, or even seeing death there on scene.

I think your patients might have a problem with a 15 year old doing that.

 

[Mountain Res-Q]

I think your patients might have a problem with a 15 year old doing that.

Actually, Sasha, if a pt. is getting intubated, I really don't think s/he cares too much about the age of the person doing the tubing... they have bigger concerns... LOL

 

[Cory]

I think your patients might have a problem with a 15 year old doing that.

That is why I wouldn't do it in the first place.

 

[usafmedic45]

As someone who did do his first responder and EMT courses before turning 18, I would like to make a couple of comments.

I took 18 credits at school (Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Investigation, Crime Lab) went to work full time plus OT and EMT school and look how I turned out

I did the same thing- full class load (high school + two classes at the community college + EMT program + working as a dispatcher for an ambulance service) and I had NO problem with picking up the information in class. In fact, I thought the stuff was done at such a ridiculously basic level that we were not getting taught enough (and still don't believe EMTs get enough knowledge coming out of the basic class). I've always wondered about people who complained about having to learn "so much" and the "stress" of the class. I think it boils down to- as someone said- poor time management and study skills. From my experience as an adjunct instructor and preceptor, I've noticed the younger guys tend to do better in class (once you get them to calm down) than the older folks do, but the exact reverse is true when you get into clinicals.

My primary reason for discouraging EMS training for people under 18 has nothing to do with them not being able to perform adequately. It has everything to do with the effects on them of what they see. You're talking to someone who burned out at the age of 20 (hence why I sometimes (usually?) come across as really bitter on here) after some crap happened that seriously messed me up (Ridryder is well aware of what I am talking about since I had a very long in-person conversation with him about it and some other stuff; for his providing an empathetic ear, I am forever in his debt) and I wish to keep other kids from experiencing that. If I could go back and do it all over, I would have still taken the classes, but I would not have been so focused on EMS to the exclusion of a lot of the stuff I missed out on.

He will probably look back on this in 10 years and regret doing it soon for the shear fact that he missed out on alot of the stuff that kids get to do...

What he said.

It was funny when I went to my first high school reunion and the introductions of everyone including, "You all remember Steve.....captain of the Academic Superbowl team and the only student in our school's history to have the honor of deliver a baby before graduation." Not exactly the way I wanted to be remembered.....on either account. :lol:

 

[Shishkabob]

He will probably look back on this in 10 years and regret doing it soon for the shear fact that he missed out on alot of the stuff that kids get to do...

I did all those things and I STILL regret not doing it 24/7/365 for 4 years.