Paramedic Mike,
I'll try to reply to this post with as much restraint and respect as I can, ignorance can be irritating...
You've obviously never been a scene where it rapidly changed into an unsafe scene, and if you have and hadn't had to use basic escape and defense techniques, your lucky!!! If you didn't notice I included Defensive Tactics in with this simple debate.
First off, please don't question my integrity or my status as a Martial Artist!
Second, You don't know me, so to prejudge based on a simple debate isn't very civil nor intelligent.
Third, You attack and question my status as a Martial Artist, based soley on a forum debate?
My question to you is do you even know what your talking about? Or are you just wanting to push a button here?
Last, I honestly question rather or not you even know what your talking about regarding 'True Martial Artists' Versus "Those who think they are"... Do you even know what a 'True Martial Artist' is?
Do YOU Even practice Martial Arts?
I'm seriously questioning if your even a Martial Artist yourself or a wannabe!! Martial Artists are civil in debates, usually.
With all due respect, I'm just trying to have a civil conversation as I've had in other forums, with you questioning my status as a Martial Artist, it makes it pretty hard to be civil, I take Martial Arts very seriously!! Sir.
But I'm also an EMS provider who has seen the effects of scenes becoming unsafe, even after 'observing, thinking, and declaring' a scene safe, which is why I posed this debate.
Now I'll address the other remarks:
I do believe that Defensive Tactics should be a basic part of EMS training, especially since scene safety can become an 'unsafe' scene just as quickly and usually without prior notice. The ability to escape such as situation can only hinder EMS safety and provide an extra layer of protection for escaping. Martial Arts can provide this as well. Certainly, we are not LEO's and therefore should be act as though we are. However, any situation in EMS in the field can become an unsafe scene just as much as it 'may' look like a safe scene. Scene safety is extremely important, but what many EMS providers often forget, is that a safe scene can quickly become unsafe for providers. What I would argue regarding Martial Arts and Defensive Tactics training is the awareness training you get from both. The use of force training, perception, awareness, and basic escape and avoidance training which comes along with Defensive Tactics and Martial Arts training.
A couple of you argued that if you have to use physical force, you need to reevaluate your scene safety, I agree!! But I would also add that a what would look like a safe scene, could quickly beocme an unsafe scene and with potential injury to the providers. I'm not talking hand to hand combat here, merely training in extra awareness, escape, and limiting the amount of injury to the provider in a situation. (Probably should have cleared that one up!) I'm not sure how some of your agencies do it with certain calls especially potential violent ones, however in my area, LEO's aren't always available and sometimes were in a situation for quite a while, alone with no LEO backup. So the potential of a violent situation, especially in a violent call is high.
In MY OPINION, first off I agree, A & P, Medical Terminology, English, and basic report writing should be included in all EMT programs. I know it is for many Paramedic programs. I'm a firm believer in hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst, this includes being prepared to get out of a sticky situation. Martial Arts and Defensive Tactics training offers basic awareness, escape, and defensive techniques. Basic Scene Safety is paramount, but I also have seen a 'what looked like a safe scene, quickly become unsafe. For example, being called to a 96 yo female difficulty breathing, and then having her grandson come out thinking we were LEO's and swinging a bat at us... I believe it should be, at least a basic 8-12 hour class included with CEU's. There are several programs around the USA that do offer such training, which is why I started this debate!
Peace.