Emt-b

[mroutdoorsman]

I just want to say I can't wait until next quarter of school starts when I take EMT-B. What I really can't wait for is the wilderness EMT class I can take after EMT-B is complete. I am considering Wilderness EMT and Intermediate/85 the following quarter... I am not trying to be a Paramedic but would like to get certified as it will be amazing for SAR and will be great for the FBI(My final goal).

[jocoyn]

I am just now taking the DOT First Rsponder Class (I think it is about 40 hours) and am really enjoying it. Our team, technically, only does search, not rescue, but we sometimes are the "first" responder.........I know how much there is to this compared to basic first aid/CPR, I can only imagine for the other stuff!

Good for you!

[Mrs.K]

I have the American CPR now and can't wait to take the EMTB too

[DharmasMom]

I was an EMT for many years and even a Cardiac Tech (the precursor to EMT-I and the level below paramedic). I volunteered for roughly 20 years with my local rescue squad, until local politics got too much for me. Good luck, it is very rewarding!!

[Coastie01]

You know you can take Wilderness EMT classes that combine B and wilderness into one right? That just saves you time and lets your get you I faster.

[mroutdoorsman]

Originally Posted by Coastie01

You know you can take Wilderness EMT classes that combine B and wilderness into one right? That just saves you time and lets your get you I faster.

I wish if it was offered like that here but it isn't...

[Coastie01]

There is an institute outside of Leavenworth that does it that way but it is live in for about a month and quite pricy.

[AbbyK9]

I am not trying to be a Paramedic but would like to get certified as it will be amazing for SAR and will be great for the FBI(My final goal).

Just make sure you are really clear about your goals. When you do something like EMT just for SAR or just "to have it", you may find that you are losing those skills you have learned very quickly when you don't actually use them on a weekly basis by belonging to a squad (volunteer or otherwise). It's called "practicing" medicine for a reason.

I went into EMT-B figuring that it would be "nice to have" but realized pretty quick that there's no point going through the class and getting the certification if it's not being used. It's very easy to forget things if you don't use them. And you really need to have that "field" experience to become proficient, too - part of the reason they don't let you take the final test until you have at least 10 hours actually working in an ambulance (or observing at the ER, although the latter really isn't that useful for an EMT as all you get to do are take vital signs, and taking vitals in a nice, well-lit, quiet ER is a very different thing from taking vitals in a moving ambulance ...).

If you are going to get your EMT-B, also look into the National exam and/or reciprocity laws to other areas to see how the training in your state will transfer when you go elsewhere if it is likely that you will move at some point. EMT certification is largely up to the individual states and differs a lot between different states.