Why? That's one person who has never been shy about pointing out the shortcomings of EMT-B's, the lack of education for them, their inability to render anything more than the most basic care, and the false feeling that many have that they provide so much care for their patients.What I am beginning to see is an entirely different side of a forum member that I had respected...
In all honesty, there really isn't anything taught in an EMT-B class that's that spectacular; the majority of the things a well-trained Boy Scout could do. The problem is that so many Basics, (and this is partially the fault of instructors who don't make it clear that what they are learning is a bare minimum and they NEED to know more to adequately care for people) think they can do so much when they can't. So many think that they bring a lot to offer to the table, when in reality, they don't.
The first time I had to care for a patient as an EMT-B, the first thing that crossed my mind was "Holy crap! I don't know anything about what's going on! I can't do anything for this person! Holy crap! I need to get my butt back to school, and fast!" It's a fairly common reaction...for people who actually belong in this field and will move to a higher level. The problem is that many don't, and won't, and will go on believing that what they do is all that needs to be done.
And our culture let's them keep believing these lies.