Questions on becoming an EMT

[EMS Solutions]

Some great points and advice given for new EMT students.

Come and take part in the upcoming "EMT Training Preparation" Live Webinar at EMS Boot Camp. This is a free online class. You can see if you think this will help you and get all the details at http://emsbootcamp.com

[fiznat]

What you should do is see if you can ride along and observe with one of your prospective EMS employers for a few shifts; find out how the work fits you. This is getting harder to do these days due to privacy and liability concerns, but a lot of companies still do it and I think it could be a very valuable experience for you. The actual day to day experience as an EMT changes dramatically depending on where you work and in what kind of system, so I think it is important that you get a sample of the real thing rather than asking for opinions on here. It is the only way you will know for sure.

[Dustdevil]

Good advice. There is just way too much variation in this field to talk about a "typical" routine and decide if you might like it or not. What you should focus on is not whether you would like the job. It is whether or not you could even get the job. In many parts of this country, there simply are no EMS jobs to be had, whether you be an EMT or a Paramedic. Large cities especially tend to have all EMS duties carried out by firemen, not single-role medical personnel. If you're not a firemen -- which is a very hard job to get these days -- you're either unemployed, or else you're just a horizontal taxi driver. Even in those areas where EMS is run by non-Fire personnel, remember that there is usually only one EMS employer, which seriously limits your opportunities. Before you spend a dime or a moment on this, you should first do some very serious job market research for the area you are interested in living and working.

As for not having the stomach for it, in over three decades of this game, I have yet to run into someone who didn't have the stomach for it. Think about it. Ever seen a pilot get airsick? Ever seen a driver get carsick? It doesn't happen. When you are involved in the scenario, your mind is occupied with your responsibilities. You don't have time to sit and stare yourself into nausea. You may pass out while watching autopsies, surgeries, and Army training films, but when you're actually the one knee deep in it, it won't faze you. That said, there are sounds and smells that may eventually have you reaching for the barf bucket. It's impossible to tune those out. But that happens to all of us. Don't worry about it.

Good luck!