"I Need a Medic!"

We occasionally get an inquiry asking to become a paramedic. It's encouraging to hear that there is still interest in becoming first responders!

A quick breakdown on the differences between an EMT-B(asic) and an EMT-P(aramedic)

Basic Life Support (BLS) vs Advanced Life Support (ALS)

EMT-Basic (BLS)	EMT-Paramedic (ALS)
​Recognize and stabilize any medical illness and traumatic injury Insert a supraglottic airway device (iGel) if an advanced airway needs to be utilized Utilize an AED during cardiac arrest	Perform endotracheal intubation which is a definitive airway as opposed to a supraglottic airway device Insert an IV and administer intravenous medications Perform EKGs and analyze cardiac rhythms

So there it is. The two main levels of care you would probably see in the prehospital setting. In a more rural setting, you might see EMT-I or A for intermediate or advanced. Don't get me wrong, an EMT-Bs can do A LOT. Basic does not mean easy but rather base or foundation. A good paramedic is a good basic first. Most of the 911 calls are BLS rather than ALS. Our goal in prehospital medicine is to bring the emergency department to the patient. It may seem like we're simply transporting patients, but if you dig deeper and treat each patient as an individual, it'll become more meaningful.

After gaining about 6 months of experience as an EMT-B, those experiences can help determine if paramedic school would be the next logical step. Perhaps you prefer the hospital/clinical setting a little more? Or maybe something completely outside of healthcare. You wouldn't have known unless you took this journey. So I commend for you that.

Cheers,

Vic