Emergency preparedness - getting EMS certified?

[N2TRKYS]

You can probably find what you’re after in some YouTube videos.

 

[woods89]

You can probably find what you’re after in some YouTube videos.

I'd be interested in some suggestions if someone has some. Unless this is unlike every other topic on youtube, and all videos on the subject are factual and legitimate........

 

[Antarctica]

90% of it is maintaining an airway, and stopping bleeding. Look up EMT ABC's.. (Airway, Breathing, Circulation). Learn how to protect a neck/back, how to move people , how to backboard them. Learn wound care. CPR of course. Tourniquets have come back into vogue after much success with them in iraq, afghanistan... There's other useful things - splinting, etc. Learn how to find a pulse in several locations.

Some of the most useful things I learned afterwards, and I consider them extremely useful in more longer term, hospital absent situations (like a SHTF, environmental disaster). Being able to stitch (I've forgotten how to do it correctly, but I could do it in a pinch - you can do a lot with steri-strips though), intubate, give injections, and run an IV. I'm no pro/authority by any means, and I don't have access to the materials, but running an IV and pumping someone with fluids is probably one of the number one thing you can do beyond stopping bleeding.

 

[fwafwow]

Found this in my car. Reminded me of how much I’ve forgotten since I took the Dark Angel class. The card has seen better days. And I need to clip my nails

 

[Lawnboi]

You can probably find what your after with by taking someone with some knowledge and experience backpacking a few days. Really there isnt a whole lot to do, besides stop bleeding, splinting and maybe a few other small things. CPR is a valuable skill and I reccomend everyone know it, but not for the backcountry, cause if your doing cpr out in the middle of nowhere your already screwed. Personally I would start with a cpr class, and go from there. Some even incorporate torniquet use and some other easy things that the layperson can do to save lives.

I never think more knowledge is a bad thing, problem with an emt b class is that there’s a lot your never going to use, and a lot that is non applicable, because you won’t be working with a service. On top of that there’s only certain stuff your allowed to do as a bystander. If your okay with that, and just want the knowledge, invest, but IMO its a lot for someone just wanting to take it for some personal knowledge.

Becoming a paramedic is obviously off the table unless you have 1-2 years to commit to it and want to obtain a certification that expires in 2 years if not renewed, and cost 10k.

Iv never taken a wilderness emt class so can’t comment on that.

Just my 2 cents. I work as a paramedic/ff.

 

[Antarctica]

I just pulled my old WEMT book off the shelf (we had it in conjunction with an EMT book) - its called "The wilderness first responder" by Buck Tilton. I recall it was pretty good. There are many $5.00 copies abebook exchange. That would certainly be a good start.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I'd be interested in some suggestions if someone has some. Unless this is unlike every other topic on youtube, and all videos on the subject are factual and legitimate........

Just search what you’re interested in and you can usually tell if it’s legitimate or not.

 

[Rob5589]

90% of it is maintaining an airway, and stopping bleeding. Look up EMT ABC's.. (Airway, Breathing, Circulation). Learn how to protect a neck/back, how to move people , how to backboard them. Learn wound care. CPR of course. Tourniquets have come back into vogue after much success with them in iraq, afghanistan... There's other useful things - splinting, etc. Learn how to find a pulse in several locations.

Some of the most useful things I learned afterwards, and I consider them extremely useful in more longer term, hospital absent situations (like a SHTF, environmental disaster). Being able to stitch (I've forgotten how to do it correctly, but I could do it in a pinch - you can do a lot with steri-strips though), intubate, give injections, and run an IV. I'm no pro/authority by any means, and I don't have access to the materials, but running an IV and pumping someone with fluids is probably one of the number one thing you can do beyond stopping bleeding.

Procedures change; we don't backboard people any longer due to worse outcomes. We use a soft body splint. We also do not just collar everyone, again due to poor outcomes.
Pumping people full of IV fluids is no longer protocol, again, due to poor outcomes. Maintaining a blood pressure of 90 is what we shoot for.
But again, these are skills used in a more formal/precessional setting.

 

[ramsdude47]

WAFA bridges the gap of WFA and WFR, that would be my recommendation.

Not that a WFR course isn't great, but 8 days and $800 is a much bigger commitment than 4 and $400.

 

[Wumbo]

EMT ~5 years here. I'll try to add to some of the other good points that have been mentioned.
WFR>EMT for your purposes
KISS. Keep it simple stupid.
Splinting, bleeding control, recognizing S&S of some medical emergencies, CPR class for around town (unlikely to be helpful in backcountry, frankly)
Be familiar with your tools and practice improvising
Happy to help if you have specific questions
Cheers, and thanks for being proactive

 

[fwafwow]

One option I found is a hybrid - part 1 done independently, and part 2 in person - https://www.wildmedcenter.com/. The WEMT class there, however, is only for people who are already EMTs. Looks like their Wilderness First Responder might be a good approach, especially since I can take part 1 and not have to wonder whether the YouTube or other source is dated, or worse. Anyone familiar with this group?

 

[COHunter1994]

Coming from a military medic who went through combat medicine and emt training, I agree with the guys saying you're probably better off taking a wilderness/austere medicine specific class.

 

[Unclemoe]

Paramedic for the suburbs of Chicago here for the last 10 years or so, like everyone else said look into the wilderness class, other wise youtube university is a great bet.

Like others have said the more advanced classes are a waste, 95% of my paramedic skills are all gear based, i cant push drugs in the field i dont have a cardiac monitor in the field, im not dragging around an intubation kit in the field.

if its bleeding stop it, 4x4 bandages or shirts or anything that will absorb the blood, dont take them off dont peak to see if its working, if its bleeding threw put more on top. if its still bleeding put more pressure on the wound, put all of your weight on the wound if needed.

buy a tourniquet, watch videos on how to use them keep it available, its like bear spray if its burred in your pack and you dont know how to use it then dont bring it. tighten it till the bleeding stops.

Boy scout first aid books are also decent for showing different ways to splint if needed.

more then willing to answer anything you may have

 

[Seth]

Depending on your interest level, there are volunteer opportunities in many communities. I have volunteered with fire and EMS in communities where I lived, as well as with rescue teams at work. In addition to First Responder and EMT-B certifications, I gained practical experience, formed relationships, gave back to my community, and helped neighbors in time of need.

 

[Wellsdw]

Pretty much echoing everyone. So when I get a rookie firefighter fresh out of the academy with is EMT cert, it still will take them months to get them in sync with the rest of my company, and calm enough to apply what they have learned on a legit call. And we ride 3300+ Runs per year. I’d say cpr, wilderness cert. my.02

 

[Marbles]

Training is just a door into something that even years of experience does not complete. But, it is better than nothing. An EMT class would only be worth it if combined with volunteer work for experience. Even then, the focus is different.

As many people have said, WFR and self taught would be more useful.

In the Backcountry use CPR for drowning, asphyxiation, children, and hypothermia. After 30 minutes you probably are not going to get anywhere (situation dependent, but that is getting into into deep knowledge). For all of these you need breaths, compression only CPR is for areas close to help.

Look up military combat life saver stuff. MARCH is a great approach.

Learn how to fabricate a pelvic binder.

A lot of Backcountry medicine is knowing what can wait and what is worth a 50 grand flight. The NOLS book on the topic is a good starting point. The same assessments can be useful in deciding to stay home, get an appointment with the family doc, drive to ED, or call 911.

Wilderness Medical Society position statements are good reading.

Auebach's Wilderness Medicine is a good book, gives way more information than most people would want at over 2600 pages though.

The problem with those last two is you may not be able to understand everything as they are written for a professional audience.

I would not recommend IV fluids in austere environments. The exceptions, while many, require in-depth knowledge to understand and apply. An EMT class will not give you that.

 

[WTFJohn]

I have my WFR through Desert Mountain Medicine in Leadville, CO. I highly recommend a reputable WFR course for anyone going solo or in small groups into the backcountry. WAFA would be another good course for most of our uses. Wilderness med is a bit different in some regards than front country/definitive care medicine, and there is some environment-related knowledge that will come in handy too in terms of signs to watch for so you can catch things before they turn for the worst.

You're on the right track; knowledge doesn't weigh anything but means everything.

 

[ffparamedic]

@fwafwow I am a paramedic in Georgia, as well as I work for the office of EMS. My job is to oversee EMS education in Ga. I am very familiar with several options in the state that you can do for free. I also teach multiple tactical medic, stop the bleed, cpr, and one Wilderness First Aid class every year that you can take for free.

Please reach out to me via PM and I will help you all I can.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[fwafwow]

@fwafwow I am a paramedic in Georgia, as well as I work for the office of EMS. My job is to oversee EMS education in Ga. I am very familiar with several options in the state that you can do for free. I also teach multiple tactical medic, stop the bleed, cpr, and one Wilderness First Aid class every year that you can take for free.

Please reach out to me via PM and I will help you all I can.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Awesome - will do, and thanks!

 

[Rob5589]

Pretty much echoing everyone. So when I get a rookie firefighter fresh out of the academy with is EMT cert, it still will take them months to get them in sync with the rest of my company, and calm enough to apply what they have learned on a legit call. And we ride 3300+ Runs per year. I’d say cpr, wilderness cert. my.02

3300 calls a year?! That's a vacation My county is somewhere around 70000.