Hello! Total Newbie Here

[asturias5]

Hi! I'm actually just beginning my journey to becoming an EMT-B. I'm supposed to be starting my classes in May, but if they can't end up not being able to do the summer course, then it will be in August. I'm pretty excited! It's funny how things have just been working out because when I began looking into become an EMT-B, I had no clue where to begin... and then my boyfriend told me that his mom used to be one. And then I found out that her brother STILL is one and that his wife is a paramedic! I got to talk to them and find out more information.

I do have one question for everyone, though. First, I'll establish this: I really do want to become an EMT, and I'm willing to put everything I can into this new dream of mine. There is one thing, though, that I'm kind of worried about right now. Even when I try my hardest, I'm not the best at science. And so far, what I've heard is that science is VERY important. My question to you: Would my lack of science knowledge and skills hinder my ability to become an EMT? Or would I still have a chance?

Also, common question I know, but is there any advice that anyone and everyone could give for a newbie like me? Any books that I can buy or more research that I can do while I'm waiting to prepare me or help me with the courses and just in general while persuing this certification?

Thank you all very much in advance!


P.S. I'm so glad to have found this website because I've been looking through and found so much more information!

 

[Aprz]

Nah, I don't think lack of knowledge in science will hinder you as an EMT-b, but from what I hear, I think it will make it difficult for you to become an EMT-i and EMT-p.

I am currently taking an EMT-b class, and it seems like students don't have that much of a problem with written tests, but when it comes to skill testing, they choke! I recommend learning how to take vital signs (VS): pulse, respiration, and blood pressure (BP); be able to do a complete patient assessment; and know how to manage airway and oxygen.

I recall when I was taking my first responder (FR) class, I struggled with VS at first, and it seems like most people do. In particular, taking a BP was hard. I couldn't hear anything, and I was all over the place with the sphygmomanometer/BP cuff, stethoscope, and trying to figure out where was the most optimal spot to place the diaphragm of the stethoscope at. A lot of students also forget to describe the pulse and respiration. I decided to buy my own (cheap) BP cuff and stethoscope, practice taking my own BP, pulse, and respiration, and got into the habit of describing it also. I also often practice(d) on friends and family (do them a favor and then they'll do you a favor ).

Uh, for patient assessment, I wrote it down on binder paper a googolplex amount of times and said it to myself outloud while I was driving. In my FR class, I thought that would be enough, but it wasn't. It helped give me something to go by, but when you actually do it on a real person, it seems so much harder. Anyhow, I still say it out loud to myself, write it, and when I have the chance, I practice on friends and family.

Unless you have a nasal cannula (NC), non rebreather mask (NRM), bag valve mask (BVM), a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA), an oropharyngeal airway (OPA), an oxygen tank with accessories, and a practice dummy (can't practice on your friends, family, and pets) at home, you're pretty much stuck with what you got at school. Thankfully, airway and oxygen isn't very hard, but that's also what makes it hard... People often forget little things and it's a critical fail. Oh, and people seem to have a difficult time with the BVM because they forget how to rescue breath, getting a good seal with the BVM, and being able to hold open the airway. My instructors threw a curve ball for our class and had us do CPR too, which a lot of people weren't prepared for and forgot everything or freaked out thinking they were doing something wrong.

I guess on every skill test, the worse thing I see is when students rush and panic. Take your time, pace yourself, and remember to breath. One of my instructors pretended to be in respiratory distress and all the student had to do was do scene size-up and the initial assessment (takes like 20 seconds). He freaked, was all over the place, rushed, and failed the practice test. He was in worse shape than what the teacher was pretending to be. Remember EMTs need oxygen too.

I recommend going to or setting up study groups with your classmates.

Practice, practice, and practice until you are comfortable enough to follow by the books, but also be able to deviate comfortably (be able to do things out of order, skip things, and explain your action) e.g. I'll ask the patient (pt.) "Do you have any idea what caused this?" when I am asking OPQRST questions (a common acronym/mnemonic used when assessing a patient) and then technically I should ask the same question if I choose to ask PASTE/PASTEMED questions, but I choose not to since I find it redundant to ask the same question twice in a short period of time. Another example would be sometimes I choose to skip asking "Did the pain come on fast or slow and progressively?" when the scenarios is the patient got hit by a car or stubbed a toe. It's really judgement call (in my opinion/I consider those acronyms/mnemonics to be guidelines), but it also depends on what your instructor finds acceptable too (hence why you should be ready to go by the books too). Anyhow, my classmates often interrupt me during my assessment to tell me that I forgot to ask those or asked it out of order and that I am wrong no matter what I explain.

When I am not doing any of the above, I really enjoyed studying ECG, medical terminology, and anatomy and physiology (A&P), and I believe it has helped me with understanding what I am looking for, what's normal, and it's really interesting. It is a bit science-ish, but if you have the chance, I recommend looking into these kind of things.

Well, that's all I can think of. Good luck with your EMT-b class (hopefully you won't need luck though, right? ).

 

[asturias5]

Thank you for that information! And for replying!

 

[Shishkabob]

At the EMT-B level, there generally is not much of a need for advanced knowledge of science, anatomy/physiology, biology, or even math. That stuff tends to be saved for the higher levels.

Depending on how good your school is, you might learn more then is required. You might actually start learning more about pharmacology, go more in depth with patho, and learn more about A&P... but in general it's just as the name implies... the basics.



Your class will (hopefully) do what it needs to do to teach you what you need to know.

 

[Silver_Lining]

That was a really great answer, Aprz!

It was helpful for me too.

thanks!

& asturias5, good question, I think when we do have questions & a thirst to prepare before hand, it shows that we're that much more dedicated to going through all the processes it'll take to become3 an EMT of any level. & I know you will do great!

Remember the person training you & fellow class mates who seem to know more than you, USED to be where you & I are now. So don't let the more knowledgeable class mates bother or get you down, because you aren't where they are. Rest assured, knowing, if they got there from where you are, you'll get there too!

dedication, practice, & heart. we've got that.

-C-

 

[ajax]

I want to recommend theemtspot.com. I learned so much from it before starting my emt-b course (and continue to learn from it). but then i also have to recommend that you then lay off it for a week or so before your tests - very useful for the field, but makes testing harder in a lot of ways.

 

[asturias5]

Thanks again everyone for replying with advice and websites and such!