Is anyone out there an EMT?

Question

If you are an emt....please talk to me. Let me know what you think of your job, what are some really scary situations you have been in....or what level you are. Stuff like that! I am a new EMT-B and I am currently riding 3rds on my volunteer service in my town.

Answer 1

I've been an EMT-B in So. CAL for the last 4 years on a 911 rig for a private ambulance. I loved my job the, but the pay sucked. I worked in a beach city so I was fortunate enough to see a little bit of everything including some MCIs, Structure, and plane crashes.

Not many scary situations, stressfull yes. We had PD respond within a minute with 4 or 5 squads if there was any trouble.

Scariest I guess would be a full blown structure fire that we arrived at after the first roll engine and other units hadn't arrived.

The engine crew was busy setting up but me and my partner noticed a side door open and someone collapse. We dont have full on turnouts, just brush coats but that person was getting burned so me and my partner went after the resident with flames shooting out of the windows.

We got some minor 2nd degree burns but we saved the resident from further injury. Although the scene was not safe there was an immediate danger to somebodys life and we did something about it.

Anyways, some pointers:
KEEP STUDYING. There's a lot to learn. Stick to learn the job of the person above you and teach your job to the person below you.

If you don't know ask or say so. This saves a lot of grief and most medics and EMTs will be glad to show you whatever you want to learn.

Know your area, if you live in a smaller town might not be so important.

Know your job well (spiking bags, setting up EKG'S, splinting, SAMPLE history, vitals, etc.)

and there will be times where you just want to punch out your patient (eg. bums and drunks), it's normal talk to your partner

hope this helps

Answer 2

NOT an EMT and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn last night.. My daughter is a paramedic and started out as a EMT-B for the local volunteer FD. She wanted to do more and learn more, so she kept training until they sent her to school for her Paramedic license. She enjoys the action being a FF/Paramedic, gets to return something to the community being a volunteer, and on a more basic level , she enjoys being able to help people. Especially in tramatic situations. It's not all roses. There's the people looking for a free drug fix, free medical attention, some just plain attention. She's been screamed at and spit at by people whom she's just saved their lives by doing a quick diagnosis and administration of the correct drugs (suicide attempts). There's the getting up in the middle of the night to cut people out of smashed up cars. Even picking up body parts.
Congratulations on your choice, and I mean that ! I "knew" what voluteer FF/medics did, but I didn't KNOW all the time that's put in and all the training behind it and the commitment needed. The majority of people don't even think about the training ...of running to the engine to drag out the jaws and get it up and running to pry open a car door while a medic hangs thru a broken window stopping some bleeding or stabilizing a broken limb. All that happens like clockwork and it's no accident it does. Every volunteer FF, Emt, or Medic are true American Heros. I wish you have a long, satisfying and safe career.

Answer 3

I am an EMT and about to take my paramedic test. I think it is the greatest job in the world, and would not do anything else. I have never been in a situation (yet) where I have been scared for my life. We have a lot of ways in which we keep ourselves safe. If you like it you should look into paramedic and if you really like it, working full time somewhere. If you do go to paramedic school, remember after you get a piece of paper which says you are a medic, that your EMT skills are the most important skills you have. If you want to talk feel free to email me.

Answer 4

I'm an EMT-Paramedic, and I've been working for about six months. It's a very rewarding job, but it's hard. If you want to make a career of EMS, you might consider going to paramedic school. The pay is better, and there are always employment opportunities. It's awesome that you are willing to volunteer!
Just learn all you can, and keep an open mind (and watch your back - back injuries are a big issue in EMS - at my company, all the senior staff consists of paramedics that can't work on the rig due to back surgeries).
If you have any questions, feel free to email me!