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Originally Posted by potsdamcartel
how difficult were the classes?
i understand people learn at different rates, but i have college to contend with.
my plan is to start EMT classes next month (after finals) or next semester (as you mentioned) and then start actual EMT work next summer.
what exactly do you do a regular shift?
finally, do i have this correct: you have to get CPR certified before EMT training, that you do not learn CPR during EMT classes?
thanks
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The classes aren't too difficult as long as you pay attention. There's people I know that took the class 6 times and just gave up. I took it and passed it the first time. If you test well and you're able to absorb the information, you should be ok.
I would do Wicked said and see if your college/university offers the course, as many of the colleges and universities around here offer the class. That way, you can fit it into the schedule set by the rest of your classes, plus you can pick up a credit with it.
I didn't understand your question about the shifts. Our shifts vary in times and such. We have crews that are on 24hrs (off 48), 8hrs, 10hrs, 12hrs, and 14hrs. We're staggered around the day and night to make sure we have enough trucks during peak hours, and we aren't working too many trucks at once. We do both 911 calls and non-emergency transports. The majority of my time when working a 24hr shift is spent sitting in a station playing PS2 with my partner and firefighters, sleeping, or washing my car. Not everyday is like that though, and sometimes you will be up the entire time. If this isn't exactly what you were asking for, let me know.
As far as the CPR Certification goes, I didn't need mine coming into the class. The instructors will certify you in CPR as the class moves along. There are some steps that are different for our CPR as compared to Civilian CPR (IE: we can use Airways, Bag Valve Masks, Oxygen). The certification won't hurt, but it's not going to leave less to do in class.