ClutzyEMT Posted August 20, 2017 Posted August 20, 2017 Great to hear that you passed it! Congratulations!!! Yes, you can have a long career in this profession even if you are STA (shorter than average) lol! But I do stress the back brace and going to a specialist or experienced practitioner who will fit you with a custom one if you plan on remaining in EMS for a long period of time. Many have told me that it is not needed anymore since technology has advanced to the point of loading stretchers into the rigs, etc. but you will still have those scenes in the back corner of the only apartment building in town that doesn't have an elevator in which you will get to carry the patient down 15 flights of stairs, etc that will put tremendous stress on your back~~ I wish someone had told me this when I started but I'm fortunate that I didn't destroy my back before it was too late~~ out of everything that I faced in EMS, I think my height was the most challenging and sometimes entertaining (how I ended up dealing with things) LOL!! Plus you will be the first one they will want to shove into those tight, cramped spaces on a scene..... Good luck and hope you have a long and satisfying career!!
Katie94 Posted August 20, 2017 Author Posted August 20, 2017 13 minutes ago, ClutzyEMT said: Great to hear that you passed it! Congratulations!!! Yes, you can have a long career in this profession even if you are STA (shorter than average) lol! But I do stress the back brace and going to a specialist or experienced practitioner who will fit you with a custom one if you plan on remaining in EMS for a long period of time. Many have told me that it is not needed anymore since technology has advanced to the point of loading stretchers into the rigs, etc. but you will still have those scenes in the back corner of the only apartment building in town that doesn't have an elevator in which you will get to carry the patient down 15 flights of stairs, etc that will put tremendous stress on your back~~ I wish someone had told me this when I started but I'm fortunate that I didn't destroy my back before it was too late~~ out of everything that I faced in EMS, I think my height was the most challenging and sometimes entertaining (how I ended up dealing with things) LOL!! Plus you will be the first one they will want to shove into those tight, cramped spaces on a scene..... Good luck and hope you have a long and satisfying career!! Haha, being short does have some advantages thank you so much! I start orientation on 9/11/17 for AMR Southwest in AZ 1
Just Plain Ruff Posted August 21, 2017 Posted August 21, 2017 19 hours ago, Katie94 said: I passed my PAT Friday! Thank you for the backbrace advice. I know this line of work is rough on the body. It is nice to know there are other successful horizontally challenged women out there in this field:) Well this is awesome news, now go out and save a life. You've earned it.
paramedicmike Posted August 21, 2017 Posted August 21, 2017 Re: back braces Here's a Cochrane Review of the literature. Probably worth a read. Congrats on passing the test.
Katie94 Posted August 21, 2017 Author Posted August 21, 2017 Just now, paramedicmike said: Re: back braces Here's a Cochrane Review of the literature. Probably worth a read. Congrats on passing the test. Thank you, ill read it tonight after work:) 2 hours ago, Just Plain Ruff said: Well this is awesome news, now go out and save a life. You've earned it. Thank you, I am excited
Lili Posted August 22, 2017 Posted August 22, 2017 On 7/11/2017 at 5:49 PM, Katie94 said: Hi everyone, I just want some tips other than continue working out. I am a semi-new EMT and just did my AMR PAT. I got through all of it easily until I had to reload the 165 lb stretcher. To get it in I have to lift above my shoulders or get some extra strength. For reference, I am 5 foot 1" and 108 lbs. I will retest when I am scheduled but would appreciate some tips. Thank you. Glad to hear you passed! For the cots, what does the company or training source use? Are they manual or automatic? Just given that some "newer" ones are automated, which will allow for easier lifts/transfer. As well as I am short, at 4,11" and have stopped growing... Obstacle much? Haha.
Katie94 Posted August 22, 2017 Author Posted August 22, 2017 3 hours ago, Lili said: Glad to hear you passed! For the cots, what does the company or training source use? Are they manual or automatic? Just given that some "newer" ones are automated, which will allow for easier lifts/transfer. As well as I am short, at 4,11" and have stopped growing... Obstacle much? Haha. Thank you, and the one I used was manual, but im not sure where exactly I'll be stationed. Lol eh, we fit better into confided places I'm not sure if you work for amr, but if so, do you know when I find out my hours? I'm waiting on an email with orientation info, so I am completely in the dark about the next steps.
Lili Posted August 22, 2017 Posted August 22, 2017 5 minutes ago, Katie94 said: Thank you, and the one I used was manual, but im not sure where exactly I'll be stationed. Lol eh, we fit better into confided places I'm not sure if you work for amr, but if so, do you know when I find out my hours? I'm waiting on an email with orientation info, so I am completely in the dark about the next steps. Very welcome. Oh, manual... I've heard talk about those and putting on more pressure than automated ones. Fingers crossed your station/bay uses the automatic cots. Haha, yes, I don't even work and find that already something to agree with... I am only studying EMT, not even a student yet, but I'd see if there's another person at AMR you can contact about your hours. But I wish you best of luck!
Just Plain Ruff Posted August 23, 2017 Posted August 23, 2017 Why are places still using manual cots? I would be curious as to the numbers of back injuries with manual cots versus the automatic cots. I'm sure that they are night and day.
Lili Posted August 23, 2017 Posted August 23, 2017 3 hours ago, Just Plain Ruff said: Why are places still using manual cots? I would be curious as to the numbers of back injuries with manual cots versus the automatic cots. I'm sure that they are night and day. I'm unsure of why that is. I'd have to say that it'd have to do with the company itself and to how the staff agree... possibly not enough funding, waiting for more state-of-the-art fleet t come out for a full upgrade, name it. But I could be totally wrong. Does your station/service use automatic ones? As you said about the back injuries, I'm curious about that as well...
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