Posted: 2/16/2008 2:10:13 PM EDT
| My employer approached me about taking EMT training on his dime. Never really had an interest in it. Tell me about it. Difficult/easy? |
| My advice is take it. Never pass up free training. Not to mention there are people on the survival threads that would love to have that training. It isn't hard if you get into it. I have taught a bunch of EMTB courses and a couple of paramedic courses. If you read and write at the 8th grade level or above, and apply yourself you won't have any trouble with EMT. |
| You shouldn't have any trouble. Just put the time in outside of the classroom and you won't have any trouble. Most of the people who don't make it through the course have bad study habits. It is not that they can't learn the material, it is that they won't. It boils down to self-discipline. |
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The coursework is simple. But I submit that unless you spend some time on an ambulance, running EMS calls it won't really be that valuable. Just like anything, classroom training is nothing compared to hands-on. The practical exercises that I've experienced in basic EMT courses are nowhere near stressful/realistic enough to count. Either way, take the course, I bet you'd enjoy it and it may come in handy! |
| My buddies girl a honor roll student in a nursing program, failed it 3 times, but I'm an a simple fireman/infantryman and I passed it the first time, its not all that hard at all just pay attention to detail...... going throught the recert process now andsome of the people in my class make my head hurt with stupid question. |
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EMT-B and even EMT-I are both easy courses. The Paramedic is a whole different ball game though. Lots of shit to memorize there. Not to sound like a complete dick but if sombody can't pass a basic course after taking the test 3 times I hope they don't ever. I wouldn't want that person working on me or my family. This just isn't their calling in life. Just remember, all bleeding stops............eventually.  Stay safe... |
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I put 200 students through their EMT-B every year. I tell them all at the beginning of the course that they will have no problems passing the class and becoming certified if they read the book before lectures, pay attention during the lectures, practice (and not screw around) during practical skills practice time, and learn a method for the practical skills. It's very easy to tell 3 weeks into class who didn't pay attention to that. EMT-I's and EMT-P's are a little more difficult. Most have been doing it for a while and think it will be 90% basic material with a bit of ALS on top. The ones that walk in thinking they know it all end up not meeting the basic standards to sit for the State exam. It's great training if done by competent instructors. I can teach you to only pass the tests or I can teach you to be a competent care provider, which in turn means you'll pass the test. Unfortunately there are programs out there who's only goal is to get people passed the test. Seeing as the test can't encompass every skill within an EMT-B scope of practice, they do the student and their future patients a huge disservice by only teaching them the pieces they need for the test. |
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I could not agree with you more as that's the way my EMT class was ran. My instructor was great, however the college that sponsered the program had different intentions. I've been an EMT for a yr, yet I'm the Medical Training Officer for my department. What does that mean? Either my department is dumb or I learned fast and kept my ego in check when I went on calls and soaked up every bit of knowledge I was given. Most now think I'm either a medic ( I don't even practice anywhere near that level... Basic only here!  ) but the point is, you trully learn from those around you. To be good is to understand people, love your work, and learn and constantly study. 
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In Minnesota to be a licensed LEO you have to be a certified first responder. From what I have been told EMT-B is a few extra things (more spinting, airways, etc...). Being AED CPR First aid certified you should not have any trouble. Free training is goot training BenWa |
 thought this applied to nights out with the boysAs for EMT. Free training? Go for it. If you never use it for work its great knowledge. After you take the training you may decide to try going on a volly rescue squad and eventually a career. Good Luck. |
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It isn't that difficult. If it was, a dumb ass like me would not have completed the course with the top scores in the class. LOL. But it is worth the effort. I did mine in the 90's right after graduating high school and joining the area volunteer fire department. I'm glad I took it. If you ask me, they should work an EMT-B class, or at least a First Responder course into the high school curriculum all around the nation. Imagine how much better off our nation would be if everyone was trained to that level? It would sure beat a lot of other crap being taught in our schools these days that will never be worth a diddly squat for anything. |
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Piece of cake, Bama. I've been a paramedic longer than I've been a cop. Becoming a cop was easier--as far as the training goes--but once you're there--staying a cop was harder than staying a paramedic. In case anyone gets into my case about not being a real medic--I flew for over 20 years as a medic and held all the alphabet soup certs. pato |