Stitches

Thanks guys! I know its a niche, and that its something that I'm probably not going to have the opurtunity to apply for until I've been in EMS for a long time. Kiwi, to answer your question, yes, even if I never get there, I will be very happy as just a paramedic. This may have been a thread for later on in my career, but I still apreciate the advise. Thanks, Chris "stitches" Johnson

Thanks for all the input! ParamedicMike: This is the first time I've heard of anyone serving in the military while taking ADD medication. Eydawn hit the nail on the head: It’s not that I don't want to go into the military, but that I have been told that in order to enlist, I cannot be on ADD medication. I'll definitely look into the issue to see if things are changing, or if I can get a waiver for it. Kiwiology: The point I was trying to make is that I would like to end up as an armed SWAT medic. Right now, I'm pursuing EMS/Fire because as far as I can tell, that’s where I need to start. The way I understand it, is that with most places, you are a FF/Paramedic most of the time, but when SWAT is called, you go in with them. I may be wrong, but for now, that’s the info I'm going off of. Eydawn: I want to be involved in EMS and The Fire Service because of the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment I get from helping others. There are other perks to it: I enjoy the variety, and there is so much that you have to learn. It’s also a career that provides a challenge that is both mental and physical. Mostly though, I want to help people. As far as my interest in Tactical Medicine specifically, its all of the above, but I think there’s another piece to it. I feel like I have a knack for EMS. Despite my lack of experience, I think it is something I can wrap my head around and be competent in relatively faster and easier than many other things, and I'd like to put those skills to a good use. I have done some firearms training, and shoot regularly, and I DO NOT want to go into Tactical Medicine because I like guns or I want the excitement. I want to go into Tactical Medicine because I have some skill with firearms safety/manipulation/tactical-thinking, and I want to put those skills to a good use, and do something where other people can benefit from that. Again, I appreciate all the info, and if there’s anything else you need cleared up to give me a better answer, just let me know. Thanks, and enjoy your Independence Day (for those who celebrate it) Chris "Stitches" Johnson

This is my first post in a long time, and I've got to say, it feels good to be back! I know this part of the forum gets a lot of threads asking how to become a SWAT Medic, or some other High-Speed-Low-Drag-Bullets-And-Band-Aids profession, and I don't want this to be just another one of those threads, but I have some specific questions. 1- Short of enlisting as a Corpsman, how do you get the experience needed to work in the field of Tactical Medicine? And... 2- What are the people making hiring decisions looking for? Should I emphasize/downplay anything? I suspect a lot of people in this field get their start in the military, but as it stands, I'm not eligible for military service. Maybe when I learn how to be as productive without ADD medication as I am when I'm on it, I'll reconsider enlisting, but that’s definitely a ways out. I'm still trying to get a job in EMS or The Fire Service, but I'd eventually like to end up over here. I'm assuming that it’s easier to start on the medical side, than it is to start in Law Enforcement, and convince your chain of command to make you a medic. Or would I be better off working in a branch of Law Enforcement before I get hired/volunteer someplace as an EMT/Fire Fighter? Does anyone know of any agencies - EMS or LE, that allow volunteers the opportunity to work or train in Tactical Medicine? I know I'm in no position to dictate the terms of my employment, but ideally, I'd like to end up as an armed member of the Tactical/Response/Boarding team. Don't misunderstand me: If being unarmed and not going through the door is the most I'll ever be allowed to do, I'll do it with a smile, and wake up every day thankful for that opportunity, regardless of it being a career or volunteer position. I'm also a little unsure of what I should be emphasizing or downplaying in my job search. I currently have a resume geared towards employment in the Fire Service, but I decided to play it safe, politically, and not mention any of the firearms safety/manipulation training I've taken. Infact, I didn't mention firearms at all. I was mostly concerned that I would be labeled a "gun-nut" or that they may be reluctant to hire someone who enjoys shooting for a tactical position. Is that a good idea, or would an agency, knowing that I'm interested in tactical medicine, see that as a good thing? If it would help at all, and if the forum moderators are OK with it, here’s a link to my linkedin profile/ resume. http://www.linkedin.com/pub/chris-johnson/53/a63/432 If there’s any other info that would be helpful, details about the firearms training I've taken, education, or anything else, let me know and I'll provide it. Thank you in advance for the input. I know you read a lot of posts like this, so I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out. Also, if any of my nomenclature is wrong, or I'm using incorrect terminology for anything, please, let me know. Thanks, Chris "Stitches" Johnson

It Depends. Assuming I had time (i.e. the guy is on the gurney, I'm not doing CPR or anything,) and assuming it was a gun that I am familiar with (Such as a 1911 in 9mm) I would probably clear the firearm and place it in its holster (if easily removable) probably somewhere in the front of the ambulance. If its a gun that I am not familiar with, I'd probably leave it in its holster, and secure it someplace in the front of the ambulance Well said, DFIB, well said.

Thanks Vorenus! Yesterday, I pulled a 12 hour shift at the pool where I work, so I had a lot of time to think. Also, the firedepartment came in to do an inspection. One of the firefighters was talking to the manager, leaving the other standing there, doing nothing. He looked kind of bored, so I took the opurtunity to ask him the same question. He said that he hasn't found what you majored in to be as important as that you actually have a degree, and that you should major in your back up plan. Like I said, I had a lot of time to think, and this what is currently happening in my head; - I would love to be a SWAT medic. But I would also be very, very content and happy to just be a paramedic. - I've already put in some time at a community college, and theres no sense in throwing that away, so I'll finish up there and get my AA or AS (Any thoughts on which is preferable? I'd think that an AS might be more desirable, but an AA might show that I'm more well rounded.) - After I've gotten an Associates degree, I'll be able to decide if I should continue on to get my BA/BS, and then go through the fire academy, or just go straight to North Bend. - If I do decide to get my BA/BS, I'll probably major in something like Emergency Management or Criminal Justice, and minor in something like English, Spanish, or Archeology. Thanks for all the help guys! I'll probably keep adding to this thread as I go through the process, and as my thoughts change. Thanks again for all the input, it really does help. Chris "Stitches" Johnson

Hey guys, thanks for the input, and sorry that its taken so long to reply! Dwayne, I think you may be onto something with a non-related degree. I was thinking about getting a degree in Archeology, but now, I'm not 100% sure. My dream would be EMS in a wilderness or tactical setting (Expedition Medic, SWAT, etc)but I have no idea how to go about getting there, and really, I'd be happy with a 4 days on, 3 days off EMS gig. Crotchety, you're absolutely right - I have no interest in management at all. One of the things that atracts me to EMS is that I'm not chained to a desk.... well, ok, I might be stuck at a desk for a while, but they let me out every now and then. That being said, that could change if I get injured, start a family, or something. I have no doubt that getting a degree can't hurt - I just don't want to get only EMS related classes and be a "one-trick-poney." If there was one thing you could have done differently abotu college/degrees, what is it? Thanks, you've both given me something to think about, maybe one day I'll make a descission. Chris "Stitches" Johnson Also, is there any way to edit previous posts? I used my signature for another forum in my first post (Hence the "Kayak-Man") and wouldn't mind changing to back.

Its been a while since I last posted here, but life's been interesting, and I've been away from the computer for a couple weeks. I had a few questions about how a college degree fits into EMS, and I thought you guys have given me pretty good advice in the past, so it makes since to field the question to you. For the past couple years I've been going to a community college, working on getting an AA in Fire Science. I would have had it finnished a couple months ago, but a temporary lapse in judgement and one shoulder surgery (both unrelated incidents) slowed me down a bit. In short, the college canceled the Fire Science program, and now I'm re-eveluating my college plans. I may switch schools, and I'd like some input on how having a degree factors into a carreer in EMS. Does your specific major play a large part in determining depts hiring decisions, or is it more a case of just having the skills that comes with getting a BA/BS? Eventually, I'd like to be a paramedic, but I'm reluctant to get a degree thats only applicable to EMS due to how hard its been to get hired on, even as a volunteer, in the past. Would you turn down an aplicant because his major was History, English, Criminal Justice, or Anthropology instead of Biology, Chemistry, Nursing, or Paramedics (I've been told its a Major, but I'm still trying to figure if, used in this context, its even a word.)? If you don't mind, I'd be interested to know what you majored in, and how that has affected your EMS carreer. Thanks, and stay safe, Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson

Ruffems, Thank you very much for the offer, and I do apreciate it. I checked, and Bremerton Naval Hospital does hire civilians, although my gut feeling is that they hire civilians for the administration side of things and let Corpsmen do the lower level medical stuff. Last night, I figured out that the problem is I'm bombing the interviews. I've been trying so hard to prove that I can be professional, and am not just "some dumb kid," that when I'm answering the questions, I'm giving text-book answers, and not showing much emotion at all. Now that I realise that, I'm not surprised I haven't been hired on anywhere: Emotionless "ice-cube" types are probably very good at some lines of work, but I don't think EMS is one of them. I'm going to take some time and work at my interview skills before I apply for anything else. I really apreciate the offer though. THanks, Chris "stitches" Johnson

I think that Crotchety is right on this one. I've found that if you take action on something, somewhere down the road, it makes things better for you. Afterall, whats the worst that can happen? Chris "stitches" Johnson

Ruffems, I'm very near Bremerton, and that sounded like some pretty good advice. I'm still going to a Junior College, and I am working on getting as much of an education as I can. I have a job (Actually started going back to work ths month for the first time since surgery - yay). I'll start looking at maybe getting my IV tech cert eventually, and just keep trying to get hired on somewhere.

Island, I live over in Western Washington, about 45 minutes away from Seattle. The Fire Depts around here are mostly carreer guys, but they do have good volunteer programs. Due to funding, they can only accept X number of volunteers, and as I'm still going to (community) college, they have a tendency to not put me as high on the list as people with more life experiance. Also, I live in an area with a LOT of former military personel, who also get preferance over me when it comes to hiring. Not that theres anything wrong with that, I'd do it the same way. I know I don't really have much to complain about, I've only been at it for a couple years, and it takes patience.

Best advice I can give is to study your sheet. If you know the protocol, and you just follow the protocol, you should do well on the practical tests. As for the NR, I bought one of the study guides and that really helped. Anatomy was kind of tough for me too, and I found flash cards to be helpful. Hope this helps. Chris "Stiches" Johnson

I know no one really cares and lots of folks are going through the same thing, but I kind of just need to vent. I don't think it should be this hard to become a volunteer. I don't mean that the system is flawed, and I'm not talking about the effort, so much as the ratio of work to reward. I've applied for volunteer positions with most of the local fire departments, but I'm just not having any luck. I started aplying in 2009, before I had my EMT cert, then in 2010 I thought that being Nationally registered and getting my WFR might help, but so far, it hasn't. So far, I've sunk atleast $1500 into training, and I admit that I'm glad I took the training even if I never get hired, but its still frustrating. All most all of my ride alongs in EMT class were a bust, and I'm sure it didn't help my case that I ended up needing shoulder surgery, and thus was unable to do much EMS related stuff for the past 6 months. I know that its no big deal, I've only been at it for a couple years, and expecting to get hired on so soon in even a volunteer capacity is kind of unrealistic. I know theres probably thousands of other people in the same boat, but still, its a little frustrating, but I'm just getting a little tired of having the "why don't you just volunteer somewhere?" conversation with friends and family. Guess I just haven't finnished "paying my dues" yet. Sorry, didn't really mean to ramble on like that. Really I shouldn't be bitching, afterall, I'm the one that chose this life. Well, thanks for listening. Chris "Stiches" Johnson

When I was going through EMT class, I think I went on three ride alongs before I even got a single call. I understand how frustrating it can be when you need to get x number of patient contacs in, and your spending every availalbe weekend at a fire station, but nothing happens. Some departments really are better than others, so I'd recomend trying to ride with as many different departmensts as you can. If it was me, I'd be honest in your eval - they provided great patient care, but were not very good on your end. Best of luck to ya!