trinalies

I am a 16 year old EMT-B in New Jersey, in the cadet program (16-17) at my local first aid squad. My squad does have several rules regarding cadets (MUST be an EMT-B before we're allowed to ride; cannot go to calls at the jail or courthouse, anything related to abuse or alcohol/drugs). Each cadet is under the direct supervision of a senior member at all times, and may only do what the senior member instructs us to. Cadets on my squad are usually permitted to perform a variety of tasks... however a majority of the time, all that's needed is for us to do vitals, oxygen administration, and paperwork, but i know two cadets who have gotten the opportunity to use the defibrillator, and one has even delivered a baby. Believe it or not, we know what we're doing. We had to take the same EMT-B course as the adults, we took the same written and practical tests (aside from national registry), and sat through the exact same lectures. We know what each piece of equipment is used for, and we know how to use it! Senior members should never have to worry about a cadet. All they should have to do is give us a task to perform. We're just as capable as they are.