I’m so sick of hearing this phrase. If I could banish any phrase from the EMS lexicon this would most certainly be the one. I heard it today when I posted a question on Twitter, “How much do you really know about ACE inhibitors?”
I asked. The first reader reply, “Not much since I’m only an EMT Basic.” Ouch. I get stomach pains when I hear that.
I want to make a bonfire out of all the worthless phrases in our vocabulary and throw, “I’m only a …” right on top.
Since when was an understanding of out patients medications an advanced skill? Since when is medical knowledge of any kind an advanced skill?
Somewhere along the way we started giving EMT Basics the idea that anything that isn’t contained in their EMT textbook is somehow beyond them. It’s patronizing. “Here you go little EMT dude, here’s the basics. Don’t move on to anything more complicated, you could hurt yourself.” That’s just ridiculous.
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I’m blessed with two kids. They are amazing. My kids changed my whole perspective on the world. They re-framed my purpose. It’s wonderful, the way a few minutes with your kids can put an entire bad day in perspective. They also force you to evaluate some of your own behaviors. (If you’re lucky.)
Here are a few of the more valuable lessons I’ve learned from my kids.
1.) Test Your Limits.
Kids know this instinctively. The moment you create a boundary they begin testing it. There is no running in this area. How fast is running? Can we just walk really fast? What about jogging? It’s like they just instinctively know that life is more fun when you’re testing the limits.
Sure there are boundaries that we all have to live within but when was the last time you gave them a little test or maybe tried to actively redefine them? “OK, are you saying that I can’t attend this training or that you’re not willing to pay for me to attend this training? So are you saying we can’t use the conference room for an EMS journal club or we can’t use it during business hours?”
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Some of my favorite movies are sports movies. Movies like Bull Durham, The Natural, Hoosiers and Miracle. I love them. There is something about sports that encapsulates our human struggles like few other things do.
Sports can teach us a few lessons about being a good EMT as well. There are good ideas to be gleaned from successful athletes about running a scene and coordinating emergency care well. Here are my top five.
Have A Good Coach
Everyone needs a mentor. At least everyone who wants to be better at what they do needs one. Look around 
you for the EMT’s, paramedics, nurses and doctors who you respect. People who may have more experience and training in the field (but not necessarily). Find those people who you would like to be more like and talk with them. You’ll be surprised at how willing people are to offer advice and give input on subjects that can help you become a better clinician.
There is an old Buddhist proverb that says, “When the student is ready, the master appears.” There are people all around you that could be mentors and coaches. You’ll find them when you open yourself to the idea of using others to grow and improve yourself. And if you still feel starved for coaching you can always come here.
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