What An EMT Student Should Expect On Third Rides

I remember how nervous I was when the time approached to take my 3rd rides. I was excited of course, but I was also worried. I was worried about what to expect and what was expected of me. We'll talk first about what will be expected of you.

The crews you'll be riding with will expect you to be nervous. Some of them will be understanding. Some of them will push you a little to help you overcome your fear. The first thing you need to remember is that you're not alone and it's not all up to you. The crew training you will be there, so will the fire dept, PD, etc. With that in mind, get involved.

The crews will expect you to get involved and not just stand there with your hands in your pockets. To know what is expected of you on scene, you need to think about your roll as an EMT. If you are on an ALS truck that day, you will be expected to do the physical parts of patient assessment.




If you want to make a good impression, go ahead and start to take vitals on scene. Don't wait to be asked. It's one of the first things you'll do on scene when you start working as an EMT. While you're taking vitals, listen to your paramedic as they conduct the patient interview. If the patient is complaining of chest pain or difficulty breathing, go ahead and start hooking them up to the monitor so the medic can run an EKG. Here is a video that teaches proper 12 lead placement. This video doesn't go in to extremity lead placement, but most of you will know that. Just click on the following link to watch the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUIKXnot-1k

If you want the easiest way to know what your preceptor expects from you, simply ask them at the beginning of the shift. I promise they will let you know. You will get much better comments on your day sheets.

Be eager to help. Offer to carry the jump bag. Ask to try anything you haven't done before. This is a great time to practice using the stretcher. There are a lot of different kinds out there, and some of them are difficult to use(because they are cheap). Most important... Don't forget to have fun! These will be some of the best and most memorable days of your lives!

Do's and Don'ts When Shopping for EMTs

Well, it’s a little over a week since Christmas. When you’re an EMT, paramedic, firefighter or cop, you probably received some gifts related to your profession. Some of these gifts are good, and some… not so good. I’m going to go ahead and write about this because my family doesn’t read this blog.

I received two EMT t-shirts. I will have to wear them at some point, but I don’t really want to wear them in public. I will tell you flat out… I’m a nerd… I’m a dork… But I can’t wear a shirt with a picture of an ambulance that says “Big Toys For Big Boys.” Mom meant well, but it’s too dorky even for me. I will just wear it under my uniform shirt where no one will ever see it.

It occurs to me that EMTs and paramedics are as hard to shop for as anyone else. So I’m going to take a minute to give you:

Do’s and Don’ts When Shopping for an EMT or Paramedic

Here is a perfect example of a gift most EMT's wouldn't want. I know a few EMTs with an attitude, and I know they would want this...

If you do know an EMT who would wear this, do him or her a favor. Don't buy it.

Here's another item most of us wouldn't want:


Here's a shirt I really wouldn't want to receive


No here are the types of things we do like. Great gifts for EMTs and paramedics are things we can acually use. We like simple clothes we can wear to work or out and about. We would prefer that these items not provide any reason for our coworkers to make fun of us.

Here is a simple crew shirt most of us would wear to work.















Cold weather gear is always a great gift for an EMT or paramedic.

I got this hat for Christmas, and I've already put it to good use. It looks good and goes with any dept. uniform.











If the EMT or paramedic you love works for a dept. that doesn't provide rain gear, this would be a great buy.














Here is a watch that would be a great gift for an EMT or paramedic.




In short, a great gift for an EMT or paramedic is a gift that has the star of life on it, and doesn't contain a goofy slogan.

Winter Weather on the Ambulance and in the ER

Are you considering a career as an EMT? Here's another thing to think about. If you're an EMT, you will be exposed to the elements. If you don't like to be hot, cold wet, sweaty or any combination of those, a career in EMS may not be for you.

Winter weather is your enemy on the ambulance and the ER. People in my neck of the woods are known for not knowing how to drive in the rain. They lose their mind with any type of frozen precipitation. I live and work in the Southeast where most of the cities are not well prepared for ice and snow.

When there is a forecast for ice or snow, the first thing that happens is a mad rush to the stores. Insane people clear the shelves of bread, peanut butter, milk and beer. You would think that would be a sign that people were going to stay home during the weather event. You would be wrong. People will leave the house even after the public officials have advised them to stay home.




Most of the people on the road will fall into two categories. The ones who drive to slow to have enough momentum to carry them up ice and snow, and the ones who don’t slow down at all. Both behaviors lead to slipping and sliding.

It snowed here. It snowed a lot. Definitely more snow than we are used to here. We responded to wreck after wreck. People don’t always have the best courtesy when it comes to yielding for an emergency vehicle.

I’m not bragging about my driving skills, but I am well trained. I have taken two emergency vehicle driving courses. That instruction has made me a much better driver in the ambulance and in my personal vehicle. Here’s a suggestion for the folks out there. In hazardous conditions, don’t drive faster than the ambulance and the fire engine.

Time after time we were passed while running emergency. We had to stop several times for witnessed accidents. We responded to several rollovers where no one was hurt, We responded to accidents that looked more minor but had some serious injuries. You never know what you’re going to find.

I worked the next day in the ER. The ER was already at red capacity at 7am. And the hits kept coming we had people on backboards everywhere. They were lining the halls. I spent the day working trauma. It continued to snow during my whole shift.

We also had a lot of slips and falls. Sorry to tell the truth, but older folks are particularly susceptible to these accidents. We had several who slipped going out to get the paper. Next time it snows or ices, please skip the paper and watch CNN.