How long/short does paramedics training take?

[.cheese.]

I have an interesting situation coming up.

Currently, my area of study is economics (and I might add I'm pretty gosh-darn good at it ). I'll be graduating this coming early May.

Then I have to start cramming for the LSAT and GMAT and apply to grad school. But at the same time - I don't have any work. After say, December, all of that will be done and I'll be free until I start my first day of grad school wherever I end up.

I am wondering, inbetween when I graduate and when I start Law/Biz school, could I cram in paramedics/EMT training and get certified? Is that enough time?

Basically from Middle-May of 2007 (this year) to August 2008. Could I cram it in? If so, where?

I have no desire to be a paramedic or EMT - but I want to have the skills.

A few months ago I witnessed yet another death in front of my eyes. a vehicular homicide. I felt terrible because I just watched the guy die. I was afraid to do anything because I was afraid it would make things worse, and I kept praying to G-d that the paramedics would arrive already!....... but yeah, he died. To make matters worse, the guy who hit him fled.

Anyways, I vowed that I would one day get the proper training to be able to make a difference in the future.

I already am a Ham radio operator (hopefully will be Extra Class licensed as of tomorrow night - wish me luck - this is how I'm spending Spring break )

I obviously take my own personal safety seriously.... carrying daily.

Basically I am working towards being the ultimate socially responsible citizen. I DON'T want to be a hero - but I DO want to be able to help when either professional help is unavailable or otherwise.... and especially in emergency situations.

Any advice you guys could give me would be great.

I want to make myself into "The American's American" so to speak.

 

[thexrayboy]

Check your local community college. Most EMT I level certifications are a matter of months at the most. Even EMT II which is paramedic level is usually less than 1 year of training. Each program can vary in length but most all will cover the same essential course material. You will also have to do some freebie time in a clinical setting, usually an ER affiliated with the program.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Requirements vary from state to state. Here's Florida's requirements.

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/EMT-Paramedic/faq-certification.htm
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/demo/EMS/TrainTest/TrainTest.html

It was pretty easy to find using Google. There you can find the places that teach the course with links to their pages. As thexrayboy said, most EMT programs are through community colleges or technical institutes.

 

[69cougar]

I don't want to burst your bubble because what you want to do is great in all but unless you carry a full BLS kit in your car there won't be much you can really do until a BLS or ALS rig get on scene. But don't let it seem like I'm trying to discourage you because I'm not. There will be things you can do but sometimes even with the best training you can't stop everything. But good luck with the class if you choose to take it.

Edited to add: If your not looking to become a Paramedic or EMT that is a lot of training especially since you can only do so much without all of the proper equipment that is on a Ambulance. Might I suggest First Responder training if you area has it. In North Dakota the First Responder class is only 40 hours. They will teach you what and all you can do until EMT Paramedics arive with proper equipment.

 

[RexKwonDo]

I live in Seattle, and took an EMT course at a local community college, and it was four hours per day, two days per week, for I think about three months. And then there was ER observation time, which consisted of hanging out in ER for around 16 hours I think... Maybe it was just 8. Cost was around $600. To get paramedic training here requires that you're an EMT for at least two years, and the paramedic training itself I believe is around a year, and very competitive to get into. It's not something that people do (or even are allowed to do) if they're not actually engaging in a career as a paramedic. I ended up never getting a job as an EMT (and thus, I am not considered an EMT by the state) because I got a good job in my field instead.

I learned a lot in the course, but it's true that without equipment there's not much and EMT can do. The course really teaches just a few basic principles, but it really takes a lot of practice and application before you realize how simple they are and are able to comfortably treat. Overall, I would say it was a good experience.

 

[silverlance]

I've asked my friend who is an army medic to train me in some of the things medics do.

however, he just came back from iraq and understandably is relucatant to do so.

 

[YammyMonkey]

To get into an EMT-B class is pretty simple, most require that you have your CPR for Prof. Rescuer card, but other than that you can just sign up. At least in CO you have to be sponsored by an ambulance crew/fire dept type place to take the P-course, not sure about the Intermediate, or even if it's still a rating. More than anything you'll realize how much you don't know. You may want to look into a Wilderness First Responder or WEMT course, more improvisation as opposed to working with things you'll find on an ambulance.

 

[thexrayboy]

The proviso about not being able to do a lot without equipment has some merit to it. However basic first aid equipment including slings, collars, immobilizers etc are included in the more advanced kits you can purchase from various vendors. You won't be able to start an IV or push meds but you certainly can make a difference if you come upon a scene in BFE and you have the training and some basic equipment.

If you feel the urge to learn do so. It certainly won't hurt you, just remember, having training in EMT medicine actually increases your exposure to liability if you assist someone as a citizen volunteering. Good samaritan laws frequently cover people who render aid in emergencies but if you have significant training you can be held to a higher standard of care. Fail to meet those standards and you will have a hard time hiding behind good samaritan laws. Thats a sad commentary on the state of affairs our country is in but it is something you need to keep in mind.

 

[Trebor]

I've asked my friend who is an army medic to train me in some of the things medics do.

I'm sure some of his relunctance was the HUGE liability you were asking him assume by training you.

If you want professional medical training, go through a professional class. Just learning stuff "ad hoc" by asking your buddy to show you things can leave huge, dangerous, gaps in your knowledge and open both of you up to serious liability.

 

[.cheese.]

Yeah, I was talking about the kit part with an Army friend the other day.

He was basically telling me that as part of his training he has lots of medical training, but he can't really use much of it in a civilian capacity due to lack of equipment. He told me that there are some things that you can buy though and store in your trunk that aren't terribly expensive.

I mean, like I said, I'm not trying to gear up to play hero here. I just want some training, and some equipment so that I never have to watch somebody die in front of me again and just feel like all I can do is watch and hope the paramedics arrive soon because don't know what to do.

I'm sure some of you have been in a similar position. To just sit still and watch somebody die - well, words can't even describe it.

I don't care what it costs, I'm happy to pay the money. I'm happy to buy some gear to store in my trunk too. I just want to be prepared should that situation ever come up again.

I know a lot of us on gun forums try to remind ourselves that the only life we have responsibility over is our own - but I feel that's not entirely accurate. Even Adam Smith the father of economics whose general theories tended to gravitate towards each man doing what is best for himself once said:

Man was made for action, and to promote by the exertion of his faculties such changes in the external circumstances both of himself and others, as may seem most favourable to the happiness of all.

Social responsibility. That's what I'm talking about. I want to be able to help others, and pray that there are others like me who will do the same for me when I am in trouble.

Or maybe this is just the incoherent ramblings of somebody cramming for their Extra class ham-radio license..... who knows.?

 

[Lonestar]

Ditto to the not much even an EMT can do without a lot of equipment. If your short on time, I would just take a Red Cross CPR and advanced first aid course, then buy a good first aid kit and a cell phone. Good basic CPR and first aid given at the scene, before help arrives has probably save millions of lives.

I know you feel bad, but even if you had advanced medical training, that crash victim still might not have made it.

 

[paramedic70002]

What do you call a Paramedic without an ambulance?
A First Responder!

EMT is federally mandated minimum 110 hours. Lots of Volunteer rescue squads will give you the training free. Just have to luck out on WHEN the class starts, for some reason most start them in September.

I second the suggestion to take a RC First Aid class. Get some gloves, 4x4 and 5x9 dressings, gloves, some roller gauze, gloves, tape, gloves, scissors and gloves. And a blanket. Did I mention gloves? Forget heroic saves and tourniquets. The vast majority of victims are going to live or die despite your valiant efforts either way.

Here is the Old Paramedics Guide to being a citizen lifesaver:

1. Make sure they are breathing. Yes? Good. No? Adjust head position. Don't worry about spinal injuries. If they ain't breathing, they don't care, so you shouldn't either.

2. Small bleeds, fuggetaboutit, it will stop. Big bleeding, will also stop, but you might want to help it along, so fix it. Direct pressure. Press dressing onto wound. Still bleeding? Use more dressings. Still bleeding? Tie bandage onto dressing. Still bleeding? We'll skip pressure points and go straight to elevation (above the level of the heart). Good luck with this one. But take heart, you've probably fixed it two steps back and didn't know.

3. Does the victim appear to be dead? Like not breathing after moving the head? Lay them flat, put hand over hand between the nipples, lock elbows, and PUSH PUSH PUSH. Forget breathing for them. They don't really need the air, but you do. Fast as you can, like 100 times a minute. That'll last for about two minutes, then you'll need your own ambulance, a gallon of Gatorade and an unfiltered Camel.

4. Don't pull anything out of the victim regardless of whether it belongs there or not.

5. It is perfectly acceptable to DO NOTHING most of the time, other than cover them with a blanket if it's cold (not the face).

6. Let the walkies walk, don't make them lie down, which will help you avoid the urge to give them a pillow. NOBODY gets a pillow!

7. This should be # 1 but I'm too lazy to go back and fix it. SCENE SAFETY! SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY!!! Sharp objects, gasoline, rubberneckers, lions tigers and bears! And don't get near any overturned vehicle, weebles wobble!

Good luck and stay safe.

 

[69cougar]

paramedic70002 Wow you stated it better than I could have ever dreamed of. (Dangit shouldn't have daydreamed through English class :banghead: ) I think if the area offers it First Responder is a good choice I think don't quote me now it’s been awhile but I think its 40 hours. Like paramedic70002 said the vast majority will live or die whether we like it or not. Listen to Paramedic70002's words that was some sound advice.

 

[Davo]

I recommend a good first responder class for ya. Its true that an off duty medic is little more than a salty first responder, but that dosent mean you wont make the difference between life and death, or that you wont be a help.
I carry a trauma bag off duty, and have used it to "buy time" for a man ejected from his vehicle, and have performed CPR on a man who collapsed in a parking lot once.
Learn your ABC's, know CPR, know how to obtain a set of vitals, use an AED, and get some experience. Do a few ride outs with an ambulance crew, vollie at the fire dept, or spend some time volunteering in the ED. Getting experiece will pay dividends later, something about grace under pressure. Carry some gloves, and a cpr mask with you or in your trunk (basically everything that paramedic7002 stated) . Also remember that in a time of crisis (SHTF for the people involved) remember people will be looking to you.

 

[hso]

Attend the Wilderness First Responder and then decide if you want to go on further. http://www.wildernessmedicine.com/