Just got back from finishing my EMT practical. It involves proving that you are competent in six skill divisions:
1. Medical Emergency
2. Trauma Emergency
3. CPR w/a bystander
4. Managing an apneic patient's airway
5. C-Spine immobilization and
6. RANDOM SKILLZ, my all-time favorite.
I passed with flying colors in all of the categories except for Random Skillz--I did all the steps correctly, but I applied the tourniquet awkwardly and somewhat ineffectively. In my defense, I was trying not to cut off the circulation of my mock-patient's arm; ultimately, completely my fault. Should have known better!
I redid the station of "managing bleeding" and had to do "traction splint" as well to prove I knew my random skills.
Next week, I will be throwing an awesome party in upper downtown for the survivors of this class. It will be to commemorate surviving this torrid period of studying and memorizing and throwing ourselves at the book. There were difficult choices and sacrifices many people made to take this class and turn life towards new opportunities. It tore into our personal and social lives (for those of us who attended class) and also created rewarding new relationships that hopefully will last for a long time.
Cheers to us!
