Posted: 8/28/2008 5:43:55 PM EDT
| The local technical college offers a course for around $800 and was thinking about takin it while i'm laid up. Does anyone know how strenuous it is, have neck problems and weakness in my left arm. |
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Just let them know. You will be required to do things such as CPR, manual C-spine immobilization, splinting, patient 'log rolling,' and probably some lifting; along with many other simple manual tasks such as administering oxygen. We have a medic on one of our local FD's who has a hook for a hand. If he can find a way to do it, you probably can too. The training is worth it. Just be up front with your instructors from day 1. You will most likely be fine in the class, but it may not be a job you'll want to pursue if you already have problems you're worried about. Our bodies tend to get pretty beat up in this field. 
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Yeah, don't take a job in the field. The burnout rate is high and the pay down here is so good most people have to have a second job to prevent starvation. One of the best Paramedics in this area (and also one of our squad members) liked it so well, he went into long haul trucking. You will find that the very people that you would normally avoid in everyday life are the ones taking advantage of the 911 system. They are the "regulars" who call for an ambulance about twice a week just for some feel good medicine. Nothing like stepping in dog shit or lifting someone off of a bed soaked with urine! As you can figure, I am just about ready to give up the volunteer end of it. But hey, everyone is different, it might be just what the doctor ordered (just ahead of a colonoscopy). RS |
I was certified in Va, back a few years ago, its not a tough course mentally or physically, I thought of it as advanced First Aid. I guess it depends on your states requirments, as far as a neck injury, that might hurt you when it comes to preforming CPR and what not. But like somone else said tell the instructors that you got a bad neck, and basically you sound like you are only there for education purposes only so, shouldn't be a problem! |
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I finished a community college EMT course this past spring. Just got my NREMT certs in the mail last month. I'm happy in my job right now in the health field, I have no plans to ever ride an ambulance. The most I'll ever do with it is possibly volunteer at sporting events/U of MN. I took it because my employer picked up the tab, and the only thing better than learning is free learning. I have battled a bad back since a car accident almost three years ago. Prolonged CPR compressions were out for me, as was stretcher lifting and stair chairs. I was open and honest with my instructor at the beginning of the class, and he was more than happy to accomodate my physical limitations. Speak with your instructor before class starts and he/she can give you a yea/nay on your situation. My class wasn't really strenuous, but I did break the occasional sweat. |
I learned a lot in the class. I learned a lot more "on the job". All my stuff has expired now, but I still carry my gear and stop at any accidents to assist within my legal limits. |
| It's great knowledge to have. I would like to see EMT level training be common in college if not high school for everyone, I think it is information that everyone should have. If nothing else would make our jobs a little better because bystanders and patients would just maybe understand a real emergency vs what they feel is an emergency and better understand what goes on from the time they pick up that phone until we have the patient at the hospital. |
If you can, try and take a wilderness first responder class. I have had both EMT and WFR and found the WFR to be 10X better in gaining emergency FA skills. Obviously, the focus (i.e. environment) is a little different, but the skills are still applicable. I found the WFR to be much more hands on. Feel free to IM if you have any ques.
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| Where in alaska do you work, i used to work in the northward building in fairbanks and always was dealing with the same people you have to put up with. My favorites were the ones who would call an ambulance to go to the emergency room because they were too drunk for the rescue mission. |