EMT-B vs OET

[AK_SAR]

Originally Posted by JCyrus

....But the OEC textbook IS available to the public and may help you in translating your EMT skills to the OEC testing. If you don't want to put money into buying it, maybe someone on the patrol might have an old copy laying around to lend to you?

Just be aware that NSP has gone to a brand new 5th edition OEC book. There are some changes, so make sure you are using that (most recent) edition.

As noted above, OEC is a national program, so there shouldn't be any differences in challenging the course from place to place. However, once you get on a patrol different mountains may have slightly different local protocals, depending on their medical advisor.

[hherrn]

OEC 5th edition has moved more toward EMS.

The only thing you want is 5th edition- significant changes. Under no circumstances should you rely on previous knowlege or common sense. You will be responsible for the material in the book.

The OEC is universally accepted by any NSP patrol. Once certified in OEC, any patrol will have its own requirements and hoops to jump through. Every patrol is different. Even whithin a patrol, there are often different standards for paid staff and vollunteers.

Patrol is fun- I used to be fulltime, and continues as a vollunteer.

[zmedic]

One of the big differences is that ski patrol tends to expect a higher level of forearm splinting, sling and swath ability, and ability to deal with shoulders stuck up (blaket rolls). It's not that the skills aren't part of the EMT class, but I've found that most EMTs spent about 10 minutes working on putting on slings in their class. Ski patrol expects a better splint that is going to work when the patient is bouncing around in a sled.

Don't get my started on the new OEC textbook. I feel like NSP is trying to position OEC as the answer to all pre hospital medical training. Want to be a river guide? Take OEC. Want to learn about HAZMAT? There is a chapter in the book on that too. The problem is that OEC classes aren't actually long enough to go through about 65% of what is in the book, so you have the huge thing that no one will actually read. WEMT or WFR is a much better class for those who want to be wilderness professionals. And if you are doing OEC to be ski patrol, do you really chapters on advanced airway management, ambulance operations (where to park the rig), etc etc?

[Jon]

Originally Posted by zmedic

One of the big differences is that ski patrol tends to expect a higher level of forearm splinting, sling and swath ability, and ability to deal with shoulders stuck up (blaket rolls). It's not that the skills aren't part of the EMT class, but I've found that most EMTs spent about 10 minutes working on putting on slings in their class. Ski patrol expects a better splint that is going to work when the patient is bouncing around in a sled.

Amen. It's sad, but I've come to believe that the average Boy Scout can do a better job immobilizing a fracture than an EMT. And heaven forbid if the EMT doesn't have a SAM splint to use .

Originally Posted by zmedic

Don't get my started on the new OEC textbook. I feel like NSP is trying to position OEC as the answer to all pre hospital medical training. Want to be a river guide? Take OEC. Want to learn about HAZMAT? There is a chapter in the book on that too. The problem is that OEC classes aren't actually long enough to go through about 65% of what is in the book, so you have the huge thing that no one will actually read. WEMT or WFR is a much better class for those who want to be wilderness professionals. And if you are doing OEC to be ski patrol, do you really chapters on advanced airway management, ambulance operations (where to park the rig), etc etc?

That said, in PA, OEC has been determined to be materially similar to MFR - and our DOH considers it an acceptable course to test for MFR. At some point, if the class wants to be recognized by more than JUST NSP, it needs to expand to cover other things.

[JPINFV]

In general, states license EMTs, thus granting EMTs the ability to perform otherwise restricted interventions. This is called a scope of practice.

Most states do not have a "wilderness" level of EMT, as such they do not license anyone to have a "wilderness" scope of practice, and OEC does not have, in the strictest sense, any scope of practice.

Now, there are multiple ways to skin a cat, and depending on the circumstances the basic EMT scope and training is not fully appropriate, but that doesn't mean that the alternative has a scope of practice.

[Robb]

Originally Posted by Jon

Amen. It's sad, but I've come to believe that the average Boy Scout can do a better job immobilizing a fracture than an EMT. And heaven forbid if the EMT doesn't have a SAM splint to use .

Splinting is one of those skills that you truly have to use and practice to become good at it, IMO. Also, creativity is a must.

[Jon]

Originally Posted by NVRob

Splinting is one of those skills that you truly have to use and practice to become good at it, IMO. Also, creativity is a must.

I totally agree. Whenever I break out the Board Splints and rig something up, at least one co-worker asks "where the heck did you learn that" Answer: Scouting.

[JPINFV]

I think the reason Scouting does so good is that it isn't as ridged as what is taught in EMT school. For Scouting, you do what you need to with what you have on hand. If that means sticks and scraps of clothing, then that's it. What I think happens with EMTs is that EMTs are taught one way of doing something, and often leave class thinking that is the only way and no deviation can occur.

[Mountain Res-Q]

Originally Posted by JPINFV

I think the reason Scouting does so good is that it isn't as ridged as what is taught in EMT school. For Scouting, you do what you need to with what you have on hand. If that means sticks and scraps of clothing, then that's it. What I think happens with EMTs is that EMTs are taught one way of doing something, and often leave class thinking that is the only way and no deviation can occur.

I love you JP. Do you know hard it is to beat the "this is how we are supposed to do it" out of provide? To quote the founder of NOLS: "Rules are for fools!" In the outdoors there can not be a rule for every situation. The greatest tool you have is the ability to think. MacGyver is the man. In my opinion, if you do not have 10 ways to do one thing, you suck.

[EpiEMS]

Silly question: How difficult would it be/how much prep would be needed for an EMT-B to challenge OEC? It sounds like the EMT-B program covers most of it, and all that would be needed is to brush up on skiing and read the OEC book.