Imagine that you suddenly have an accident on the road, or someone at home has difficulty breathing and suddenly becomes ill. At such a time, we panic and quickly call an emergency service like it was 1990, right? After a while, an ambulance arrives with a siren. A person in a uniform runs out and starts helping the patient. Is this a doctor? Is it a nurse? This is a question that many of us have. Actually, these people are called emergency medical technicians, or as we all know them, EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) . That's what we are going to talk about in this article today.
Who exactly is an EMT?
Simply put, an EMT is a professional who is specially trained to provide emergency medical care and first aid outside of a hospital, either at the scene of an accident or while transporting a patient to a hospital. Their main job is to protect the patient's life and stabilize their condition until they can get to the hospital and receive proper medical care.
But here's something we need to understand clearly. An EMT is not a doctor, a nurse, or a Physician's Assistant. Also, another word we often hear is 'Paramedic.' An EMT and a Paramedic are two different people.
What is the difference between an EMT and a Paramedic?
Both of these are people who help us in emergencies. But the main difference lies in their training and the range of things they can do.
- EMT (Emergency Medical Technician): They have basic training. They can perform basic tasks such as administering first aid, administering oxygen, bandaging wounds, immobilizing broken bones, and performing CPR in cases of choking.
- Paramedic: They have more advanced training than an EMT, so they can do more complex things. For example, they can insert a cannula into a vein ( IV - Intravenous line ) to give saline or medication, administer some emergency medications, and use machines that monitor heart function (ECG).
Simply put, an EMT is limited to superficial treatments. This means they are generally not allowed to perform invasive procedures. However, there are a few exceptions to this, such as giving a life-saving injection of epinephrine in the event of a severe allergic reaction.
What are the main duties of an EMT?
An EMT's day is very busy and full of unexpected events. Their main duty is to respond to an emergency call, provide life-saving treatment to the person in need, and safely transport them to the hospital. Let's take a look at what they do.
| The work being done | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Responding to emergency calls | Like in 1990, when an emergency number was called, an ambulance would go to the appropriate location. |
| Checking the patient's condition | Assessing the patient's condition at the scene of the incident by checking for breathing, pulse, and consciousness. |
| Providing emergency first aid | Things like stopping bleeding, cleaning and dressing wounds, providing oxygen, and immobilizing broken bones. |
| Providing life-saving treatment | If breathing or heartbeat stops, trying to save life by administering treatment such as CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) . |
| Transportation to the hospital | Transport the patient to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) as quickly and safely as possible. |
| Reporting to medical staff | After arriving at the hospital, it is very important to give the doctors and staff at the ETU a complete account of what happened to the patient, what treatment was given, and what the current condition is. This is very important. |
What are the qualifications needed to become an EMT?
Becoming an EMT is not easy. It requires special training and dedication. Usually, you need to have completed basic educational qualifications (such as GCE O/L or A/L). After that,
1. CPR Certification: First, you need to take a basic course in CPR and first aid and get certified.
2. EMT Course: Next, you need to take an EMT training course from a reputable institution. This usually takes about 120-150 hours.
3. Passing the exam: After the course, you must take and pass a national-level or relevant state-level exam.
4. Driver's license: To drive an ambulance, you need to obtain special training and a license.
After completing these basic qualifications, someone who is interested can pursue further training and become an Advanced EMT , which will allow them to perform more advanced treatments, such as administering IV fluids .
When do you need the help of an EMT?
You only need the help of an EMT in a medical emergency. In such cases, call emergency services without thinking twice.
Remember, even if it seems like a small thing, it's always wise to call emergency services if you're unsure. It's better to be late than sorry.
Below are some situations where the assistance of an EMT is essential.
| Emergency | For example... |
|---|---|
| Heart attack | Sudden, severe pain in the center of the chest, pain radiating to the left arm, difficulty breathing, and excessive sweating. |
| Accidental injuries | Serious injuries, bleeding, or fractures from a vehicle accident, fall from a height, or bumping into something. |
| Difficulty breathing | Asthma exacerbation, something stuck in the throat, or inability to breathe for any other reason. |
| Severe allergic reaction (Anaphylaxis) | A rash all over the body, swollen eyes and mouth, and difficulty breathing due to food, medicine, or an insect bite. |
| Sudden complications of diabetes | A person with diabetes may experience very low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) and may lose consciousness or have seizures. |
In any situation like this, an ambulance service with EMTs is your first line of defense. They will do everything they can to get you safely to the doctor at the hospital.
Take-Home Message
- An EMT is someone who is trained to give you basic medical care before taking you to the hospital in an emergency. They are not doctors.
- A paramedic has more training and the ability to perform complex treatments than an EMT.
- In the event of any medical emergency, such as an accident, heart attack, or difficulty breathing, do not hesitate to call an emergency service such as 1990.
- When an EMT arrives, it will be a great help for them to help you, without panicking, and to clearly explain what happened and the patient's condition.
- Their job is to keep you alive until you can be safely delivered to the doctor at the hospital.
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