What do EMT Basics do? Well that depend upon the system that employs them. If the system forces an EMT B to be a taxi driver and a gopher then that is what will be done. If the system allows the aforementioned provider to perform skills and interventions then that is what will be done. All systems have their fair share of idiocy and excellence. After a decade of seeing many different forms of service and how the levels interact, I feel that EMT B providers are being held back by the ego of the EMT Paramedic provider.
A request was made to have an explanation of what EMT Basics do, see if you can follow.
Airway
o OPA and NPA
o Combitube
o LMA
o King
o LMA
o ETT
o BVM
Of the above the most important is the use of a BVM to maintain PEEP and thus splint open the airway
Breathing
o Ventilation at the appropriate rate
o Proper BVM technique
Circulation
o CPR
o Bleeding Control
o Warming or cooling patients
This covers most of the stuff that we do. EMT Basics are also expert people movers and packaging is something else that is mastered.
In response to what makes them better than the high school kid with a first aid class, simple we come with the ambulance and we don’t really need you EMT Paramedics if you are going to be stupid and wast our time.
