If I may start with a sweeping generalization, we EMS folk maintain an odd and somewhat dysfunctional relationship with our gear. We love our gear, but we hate it. We chastise others for carrying to much stuff. We chastise ourselves for not carrying enough. Or just not carrying the thing that we could really use right now. (Read vomit bag, seat beltcutter, flashlight.)
There’s a commonly held belief that the longer you’re in EMS the less stuff on you tend to carry around with you. this observation is sometimes extended to paid vs. volunteer personnel as well. I’m not so sure that’s true. There are, however, clearly different styles.
Lately I got to thinking about what kind of stuff the typical EMT responder carries around with him / her. What is considered kosher and what’s excessive? Are there things we can all agree should be in your pocket or on your belt. Are there any equipment gems that I might be overlooking?
To that end I asked a whole bunch of EMS responders from around the Internet and around my system to tell me what they were carrying in their pockets. After editing out some of the more obvious or personal findings (Wallet, keys, Britney Spears fan club cards) here are my not-so-scientific results. Ask your doctor first, results may vary. Here’s what the folks who know are carrying with them.
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I was searching around on Twitter today for tweets using the acronym “EMT”. I was struck by how many EMT students were discussing their current trials and tribulations with EMT class on twitter. EMT students talk with each other about EMT class differently than they talk to me about it. Perhaps because I’m the instructor they downplay how difficult the curriculum can be.
Maybe they don’t want to be honest and show vulnerability to me since I also evaluate them on test days. Or perhaps they don’t want to seem like the class is to much for them. I talk with students about my views on the current EMT curriculum. If it were up to me the class would be longer and more in depth. This could make them reluctant to admit when they are overwhelmed.
I know EMT class is hard. I watch my students struggle through it. I remember. Most EMT students have never been asked to absorb that volume of information in such a short time frame. Since I do quite a bit of tutoring for the class, I also get a lot of one-on-one time with the students who need extra help. Some will eventually pass. Some will fail and I’ll have to have a hard conversation with them about the future.
I’ve come to some conclusions about which students are more likely to pass and which will likely fail. Failure is predictable. Sometimes I’m wrong, but not often. When a student sits across the table from me and hears the hard news that they will not meet the standard to pass the class, I can usually point to one of four key areas where they failed.
If you are contemplating EMT class or if you are already going through an EMT program, here are four questions to ask yourself to help you predict you probability of success.
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