EMT Training in San Francisco - accelerated course?

Question

I'm considering going through an EMT training course to learn the skills (not to work as an EMT). I understand that this involves some hospital and ambulance-ride-along component, which seems like great ways to learn while also helping the community.

I've heard that some full-time courses can be completed in as short as two weeks.

(1) Anyone know of such a program in the San Francisco Bay Area?
(2) Any thoughts as to such an accelerated program?
(3) Any alternatives to EMT training for someone not in the medical field, but who wants to learn some in-depth emergency care beyond basic CPR and AED?

Thanks!

Answer 1

The shortest EMT-Basic program I've seen was one month of 8 hour days, 5 days a week. I really doubt that there is a program that would complete the course in two weeks. There is a minimum hours requirement for the course, and it would be impossible to complete it in that short of an amount of time.
If you are not going to work as an EMT or need the training for a job or volunteer opportunity, why take the course? The only reason I ask is because an EMT learns to use some specialized equipment, and if you don't have access to the equipment, you will find that the EMT training isn't much good.
The best thing for you would to take a First Responder course (80 hours long from what I remember). You will learn how to perform first aid beyond the basic level, and you will learn how to stabilize a patient while awaiting a higher level of care. It's a course that was designed for people who might be first responders to emergencies, but who don't need to learn extensive emergency care procedures. There are a lot of police officers, firefighters, utility workers, etc, that are trained to the First Responder level.
If you still want to take the EMT-Basic course, then go for it! But you may find that the skills you learn don't really translate well into providing care without an ambulance or trauma bag at your disposal.
Hope this helps!

Answer 2

When you are learning on how to save a life....there is no short cuts... Heaven forbid,if you were dieing,who would you want to help or try and help you. Someone who learned correctly (the long hard way) or someone who took a crash course.