Ambulance and Other Things

In order to graduate EMT class I'm required to do a shift in ER and a shift on an ambulance. I did both this last week. Honestly, ER wasn't that interesting. I trotted along behind an ER tech observing everything he did while not being allowed to touch anything. So frustrating. He didn't even allow me to help make the beds so I just stood there... watching.

The ambulance was a lot more fun. On our very first call of the morning I was allowed to put oxygen on a elderly woman; not super exciting but at least it was something. Later that day I even checked a blood sugar level for an older chap who was diabetic. Woohoo! I pricked someone and put a band-aide and on him! It actually was a little intimidating being watched by two paramedics and about four firemen. Happily, I gave a flawless performance and confirmed that the guy needed sugar and needed it fast.

My rig for the day. It was the first time I had ever been in an ambulance.

Something else that was fun (and I'm slightly sheepish mentioning it) was blasting around town with lights blazing and sirens blasting. I mean, how often do you get to go 60 miles an hour in a 35 and have it be legal? Driving on the wrong side of the road was fun too, and taking right turns on from the far left hand lane was pretty sweet (I don't know if the driver actually meant to do that... ).

All in all... good experience. Part of me wishes I could go on to be a paramedic. Eventually I think the job would wear on me but it would be fun for a while.

Speaking of school, I'm in the final count down to the end. I've been imagining what life will be like once all my exams and tests are done. No more weekends full of homework. No more coming home from class at 10 pm. No more memorization of long, long, ridiculously long lists of things. And time... I'll have time... so much time I may eventually get bored. What a thought. What a luxury.

But all the exams that stand in the way between here and there! I have six skills exams and a final written exam to pass the class. Then I have the Oregon state skills test to get my Oregon certification. And THEN I have to take the national written exam.

I can do it.

And here's a final picture of me at work during class splinting a classmates leg... proof that I am learning things AND that community colleges need more funding (the splint is floppy well-used cardboard that barely holds its shape and the padding is shredded triangle bandages).