Prior to starting EMT Basics...

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dslprod

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i start my EMT basics Jan 2009. is there anything u guys did to prepare yourself prior to starting the class? so far this forum has been a big help but ive yet to pick up any books as i just recently just registered. ill be picking up books some time this week.

thanks to all replies. ^_^
 
I'd say read up on your basic anatomy, especially the respiratory and circulatory systems. Also, get used to using medical terminology (anterior, posterior, proximal, distal, etc, etc). All of that has been immensely helpful to me for my class.
 
Study your medical terminology, make flash cards, be familiar with directional terms and common terms. Research common abbrevations, medical mnemonics, and the body systems. Concentrate on the cardivacular system and the flow of the blood, the skeletal system and the spinal column, and definitely the respiratory system. Sounds morbid, but look up pictures of different kinds of trauma online, get used to looking at nasty stuff. I don't know what book you are going to use but, go to www.emtb.com and browse this extremely helpful site. The website is a companion to the book I used in my EMT class and it is excellent, go ahead and take the chapter pretests, see how you do, write down things that totally threw you. Print the skills sheets and start reviewing them now. Gosh.. I hope this was helpful.. got any medic school tips.. hahahaha
 
Study your anatomy! I had no anatomy in high school and that killed me. If you already have your book, start skimming it and studying terms. Also, the other posts have great info also.
 
daimere said:
Study your anatomy! I had no anatomy in high school and that killed me. If you already have your book, start skimming it and studying terms. Also, the other posts have great info also.
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yeah i just picked up an A&P book today, i never knew the human skull had so many names to each and every corner/part to it! thanks for all the tips guys. ^_^
 
I thought EMT-B/EMR anatomy was extremely superficial. Even my EMT/EMT-I anatomy lectures are nowhere near as in depth as my undergrad A&P stuff, so I wouldn't bother cramming all the info from an undergrad A&P textbook into your head.

My biggest advice for EMR/EMT-B is to simply keep up with the readings and lecture and use common sense for scenarios. Most of the people I come across have heard the story of one EMR candidate who kept trying to give an unconscious diabetic oral glucose and then figured the best way to do it was to squirt it down the OPA...lol.:ph34r::wacko:

But really, it's just advanced first aid, the only major extra things you get to do is to use airway adjuncts and oxygen, do vitals, and administer a very small # of medications (generally only if the ER doc is breathing on the other end of the phone line, although lucky me, I get to administer aspirin w/o medical supervision...but not Gravol, which is a paramedic drug here, lol) - there is really nothing in that class that should go over your head as long as you have some basic study habits.
 
jochi1543 said:
I thought EMT-B/EMR anatomy was extremely superficial. Even my EMT/EMT-I anatomy lectures are nowhere near as in depth as my undergrad A&P stuff, so I wouldn't bother cramming all the info from an undergrad A&P textbook into your head.

My biggest advice for EMR/EMT-B is to simply keep up with the readings and lecture and use common sense for scenarios. Most of the people I come across have heard the story of one EMR candidate who kept trying to give an unconscious diabetic oral glucose and then figured the best way to do it was to squirt it down the OPA...lol.:ph34r::wacko:

But really, it's just advanced first aid, the only major extra things you get to do is to use airway adjuncts and oxygen, do vitals, and administer a very small # of medications (generally only if the ER doc is breathing on the other end of the phone line, although lucky me, I get to administer aspirin w/o medical supervision...but not Gravol, which is a paramedic drug here, lol) - there is really nothing in that class that should go over your head as long as you have some basic study habits.
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Yeah EMT-B anatomy is no-where near as in depth as college level A&P. I am almost done with my A&P class and my EMT-B. I have 9 days left. Anyhow you just go over basic cardiovascular and respiratory systems, as well as the different quadrants of the abdomen and what organs are there. You won't be discussing stuff like the lymphatic system, or the limbic system in the brain. There is basic discussion on the integumentary system, it just a basic overview. I am taking A&P to prepare for paramedic, because it is required to have at least one semester of it to get accepted into the school.
 
try to be a patient at an upcoming skills testing. I was able to before the class started and it put me way ahead of the game
 
gicts said:
try to be a patient at an upcoming skills testing. I was able to before the class started and it put me way ahead of the game
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wow i never thought of that, thats great advice. i will look into that thanks B)
 
sure thing. You may have to dig around and fight to find a class that is testing and needs a patient, but even if it is during your class it will help to see things unfolding. I laid on the floor for 4 hours, and talked with instructors seeing what they expected and what the emt did wrong. When it came to my testing, I had the same instructors. By putting the teaching I had together with remembering what went on 3 months ago, I felt like I was the most prepared B) Almost felt like I had cheated, but I guess its just great preparation.
 
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I was a SAR medic for a few years before I took the class, and had CPR/AED/Basic first aid certs.

Know these like the back of your hand:

ABC
SAMPLE
OPQRST
AVPU
RICE

Also, if you can practice taking blood pressures, pulses, etc

...and look over the current CPR guidelines.
 
For most people using the Brady book, Chapter 4 is the hard part.

So... Know these bones:
skeleton1.gif


...and these bones:
spine.gif


Know these cavities:
cavities.gif


Know these terms:
proximal_and_distal.jpg


That will be a good start...
 
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is it to much to get an "EMT holster" prior to class or is this unnecessary?
 
whats an emt holster?

after practicing skills my instructor would put his finger in imaginary holsters as a sign of confidence. I made a pair of finger holsters and put them on after I knew I passed B)

dsc1423yo6.jpg


dsc1428tw2.jpg
 
if your talking about something like this

http://www.magnumboot.com/emiemrecoemt.html

I'd say yea thats too much. A nice stethescope and maybe a bp cuff is all you'll need for class. After you graduate/ get hired I'd look into things geared to the job you take.
 
After last night's exam, I'd say there is no such thing as too much studying. Study, Study.....STUDY! Know your terms and know what they really mean, not just be able to spout off a programmed answer. Find a group of committed study partners and go over your material as often as you can. Also, learn why you got a question/scenario wrong so you can improve your knowledge.
 
How much would you prepare for a first aid course? ...

Remember, EMT is just a little more as such. If you want to prepare to be a good EMS provider, then study the basic general education. This includes science (anatomy and physiology, which should be separated) and to remember mathematics, English, Psychology is just a important.


Don't purchase "Whacker" materials such EMT holsters, even BP cuffs, etc. Any respectable service will have their own supplies for patient care and uniforms. Holsters may not be permitted or you may have to wear a EMT type pants. One may want their own stethoscope but again why purchase a high dollar one, if you do not know what to do with it? Can you distinguish heart tones, adventitious lung sounds, or just to use for checking blood pressure? Then be reasonable.

Again, until you are certain that this is going to be your profession and not a first aid class, then be reasonable and use common sense.

R/r 911
 
Man, that seemed a little like a shut down, RR. A simple "no" about buying excessive accessories, and a tip about not forgetting basic knowledge would have been alright. Also, I seriously hope you aren't comparing a EMT program to a First Aid class.:glare:
 
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