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About Jim Wilson
Expertise
I can answer questions regarding training, education, and experiences as well as providing some incite into the world of Emergency Medical Services.
Experience
I have over 25 years of experience in EMS, Fire, and Air Transport.
Organizations
AHA Professional Premium Professional
Education/Credentials
BS, AS, EMT-P, ACLS (and instructor), BLS (and instructor), PALS (and instructor), PPC (and instructor), BTLS (and instructor), PHTLS, and NALS. Have instructed EMT and Paramedic in Florida since 1986.
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You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > First Aid/Emergency Medicine > Careers: EMT/Emergency Medical Technicians > EMT student
Expert: Jim Wilson - 11/5/2009
Question
Hi Im Shayna. I am 18 and I just recently enrolled in EMT-B classes at my community college. I decided to start this job because I love helping out and I think a fast paced medical job would be good for me. I am nervous however about the lifting. I am 5'4 1/2 and am not the strongest. Will this be a problem? Also, how do you get past the gore of accidents and suicides? In my mind I think I can overcome it and be okay but then I get nervous that it will affect me mentally (ive heard stories of depression in paramedics and EMTS) After I pass EMT-b I plan on pursuing a paramedic certificate. Is there any advice that you could give me as to what I should do throughout this process and in my classes?
Thank you for your response
--Shayna
Answer
Hi Shayna,
I will tackle your questions in order...
Regarding the lifting many agencies now have power-assist stretchers which certainly help HOWEVER, you MUST be able to lift your "fair share". There may be times you have to assist in lifting and carrying patients on backboards and in chairs in order to get them to your stretcher. Upper and lower body strength is a must; start doing some push-ups. Your own health and safety will be depending on your ability to safely lift patients and I have not even mentioned how hazardous it can be for your partner if you aren't carrying your half of the load.
As for the blood and gore, thankfully that doesn't make up the lion's share of what we do. But it does occur and the only advice I can give you is to test yourself out while doing your clinicals. Really get in there and become a part of the "action". This will essentially serve to test whether or not you will be able to help your patients or vomit on them. All kidding aside one of my pards years ago would pass out when he saw really bad wounds. It made my job harder because I was on my own and it was dangerous for him. He fell one time when he passed out and hit his head. Better to find out while you are a student that you cannot see the gore and such.
As for the depression, you cannot see the things we see and do the things we do without ending up with some scar tissue. In my career I have seen things that make even the worst horror film seem like a comedy. (I cannot even watch those movies because there is no entertainment for me) I have personally gone through bouts of depression and even went in and got a little counseling in order to make it through one tough point in my career. But thankfully I have now accepted that, while I could never have saved them all, I did manage to make a little difference here and there, make people more comfortable in their time of need, make their bad day a little better, and pass the info I have learned over the years forward to new providers. You won't get rich doing this but you can make a living. The hours are long and stressful but it is a career, not just a job. You will have self-satisfaction knowing you are helping others and will be able to walk with your head up high knowing that your self-respect is intact - you are a part of the solution and not a part of the problem. That, Shayna, is what keeps EMS workers coming to work.
Finally...
Take some Anatomy and Physiology courses if you can. It will really make things going on in and on the human body make a lot more sense. A Medical Terminology course might also help. And whatever you do, remember one thing as you are going through your training.
Every single EMS worker went through what you are going through. The fears, the work, the sacrifice, and the self-doubts. It is the toll you have to pay in order to join us and become our sister. But there is one fact that cannot and must not be ignored. I am in the twilight of my career and will retire out of this line of work in a couple of years. People will continue to become ill and getting injured. Someone has to step up and replace the old dino-medics like me whose careers are coming to a close. Why can't it be you?
Good way to close this somewhat long reply, huh?
: )
Good luck and stick with it.
Jim Wilson
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