Really, just how good are you? What life experiences do you bring to the table? Tell me all the experiences you have seen and dealt with in life in your whole 17 years? Sorry, I even realized that when I was a Paramedic at 17 I immediately learned that I had no idea of what life was all about. I acted like a sponge and absorbed as much as I could. Also, realized the other medics that were Vietnam veterans would literally beat the living poop out of me, if I even attempted to think differently.
Research even scientifically has proven that the brain does not mature for critical thinking skills until the age of 25. Hence one of the reasons insurance corporations can and do charge more for underage drivers. The same reason we have child labor laws and laws protecting under age why? .... Due to lack of maturity and inability to sometimes comprehend, they are protected.
You are lucky you live where you do, otherwise you would not be able to even have taken the course in most states. At my service the minimum age is 23. Sure, almost anyone can pass the test and the skills....well my pit bull almost have most of those down. It is the critical thinking skills that becomes the difference. What do you do when you have a severe trauma patient, and inability to fly and the nearest trauma center is 25 miles away .. Do you leave and possibly leave your town unprotected or take to the closest which has no trauma capabilities? How do you deal with a father that daughter has been raped? It's such critical thinking skills that one cannot learn in classroom or on paper that is an essential part of the job.
Are you sure your psyche is able to see and process multiple patients or grieving mothers crying over their kids? As was said, its not easy for even older ones. I have seen youth develop PTSD from such programs as Explorers. I was one and a Post advisor that personally witnessed it. At that time, we knew nothing about such and two potential health providers was permanently ruined. Yes, I am quite aware not all youth are alike; but that is not a gamble I am willing to risk or have to deal with.
Never understood why we should encourage or push kids into this profession? EMS will be there when they have finished college and matured some. Why does this branch of medicine feel that they have to have children exposed and perform emergency care? No where else would we even consider such! Can you imagine of hearing of teenagers working in a surgery suite? Could you imagine the public outcry? Even though it would be much more controlled, safer environment.
Just because a state has sanctioned or allowed definitely does not make it right. Just look at the curriculum and all the levels EMS has and see what a joke it is.
You really want to perform EMS? Then focus on your studies, have fun in life and experience the most you can! Find a well credentialed EMS program with great clinical sites, obtain as much exposure to medicine you can. Then when you have reached this then enter the profession. By that time you will be of age and have matured some. You will find you will be an asset and be able to perform much better and be able to make wiser decisions. What's the rush?
R/r 911
Like I said, I have much to learn. And I'm willing to learn. I can gurantee that I have not seen nearly as much as you have, and I have no idea how I will react the first time I see something truly serious. But the same can be said of anyone else of any age. I've dealt with serious tramatic injuries, and dealt with it just fine. (But, like I said, there is so much more that I will be exposed to, but I will face that when the time comes.)
In regards to flying a patient to the nearest trauma center, we are close enough to the hospital that we transport them there and the bird lands directly on the hospital.
I agree with many things you said, but at the same time, things vary person to person. But one thing I disagree with (And PLEASE, no personal attacks, and this is not being said directly to you, Rid,) is that I can go and be a medic in a war zone, and deal with those traumatic injuries, at the age of 18, but many people have an issue with individuals being an EMT-B at the age of 17, or any age under 25 (which seems to be the average age of maturity from what people are saying).
I also think that, because I ride with a rural ambulance, I am not exposed to as much as I would if I were to ride on an urban ambulance service. This also means that,
for the most part, I am not in the direct line of danger. (and yes, I understand that scene safety is important everywhere, and that just because I am in a rural area means nothing as to the dangers that can present themselves.) And, IMO, I believe that some people are just naturally good in certain fields, and I've found my nack in EMS. I'm trying my hardest to ride with good Intermediates and Paramedics in order to learn as much as possible in the field, because field-work is incomparable to the text-book stuff they spoon-feed you in the class room.
Also *Prays she doesn't sound like a brown-noser* I appreciate being handed a valid argument. It means a lot more to me than someone merely telling me that I'm young and naieve and don't belong any where near EMS. I'm looking to make this a profession, and the only reason I'm not looking for intermediate classes in the near future is because my deployment date is so close.
