medicnick83
Paramedic
Hi all,
I get asked this via PM often enough, so I decided to start this thread so that it will stop people asking me via PM's
I'm a big fan of helping and such, so here goes!
It's going to be alot, so make an effort to read it please.
First things first, you probably have to sit down and ask yourself why you want to become a "medic" ? (I won't say paramedic because people abuse the term too much or don't use it correctly!)
For whatever reason you decide, I want to tell you a couple of things;
1. Becoming a medic is great - you will know a lot more than a average first aider, you could save a life etc but you will also see some horrible things too, so remember that because those things will affect you in some way or another.
2. If you want to explore it because of financial reasons, well, you are barking up the wrong tree - BAA's get paid R6000± - studying further will yield only slightly better results so it's very important to remember that becoming a medic, you really should do it for the passion of helping people... all people, all races etc.
3. Becoming a volunteer medic has it's own kettle of fish associated with it but it's probably more of a rewarding experience because while everyone else does the job to get paid, you do it for the love of it - my first warning here is that if you do it for the "love of it" like I do, you're probably going to fall inlove with it, like I have and then things will probably get more interesting!
4. Life is going to change for you, you're going to adjust the way you look at things once you see the things you see, the conditions people live in etc - brace yourself!
There are many rumors that the BAA/BLS qualification will be scrapped soon - I want to inform everyone that maybe it will, maybe it won't - they've been saying it for yonks now... you decide!
DOING THE COURSE!
1. I highly suggest that you do a first aid level 3 course - ignore level 1, I don't know why they bother with level 1, level 3 is level 1 with a few more stuff added. Spend the extra crash, do level 3 and don't just do level 3 to get the certificate, study it, know it because it will help you when you do your BAA/BLS qualification.
2. Go get your code 8 drivers license and while you at it, do your PrDP. Lessons cost money as is expensive.
3. Go get your code 10 (if you have your code 8) and do the PrDP for that too. Lessons cost more money are is really expensive! I know, I'm struggling to get money to do my code 10 driving lessons!
4. Find a college in your area that can do the BAA/BLS but make sure they are HPCSA certified! (Check this link for a document that has the latest names of places you can go) This is very important! Pointless paying however much it is (R7000±) and HPCSA won't register you because your college isn't certified! Since I come from Cape Town, I can highly recommend Ambutek (Milnerton) but I know that St Johns also does the BAA/BLS qualification - personally I would goto Ambutek - I've seen the St John's BAA/BLS guys and well... I think they needed to be taught more stuff! but that's honestly just my opinion.
5. Once you found your college and booked your spot in the course, now is a good time to get ready for the course.
6. You can download a BAA/BLS study guide that was started by Robert Burger and edited (alot!) by Me. The link is: http://www.quickshare.co.za/files/xz0obapu/BLSstudyguide.zip.html
7. Download and study the BAA/BLS protocols like it's your new bible! know it back to front and front to back! Jokes aside, the protocols are very very important. A link to download is as follows: http://www.hpcsa.co.za/downloads/emergency_care/basic_life_support.pdf
Point 6 & 7 will only help make your life easier while on course - the more you know before your course starts, the better because during the course, ALOT is going to be thrown at you! Just remember, Use the guide as that... a guide!
8. If you are able, and have time, approach Netcare 911, ER24 or the government ambulance service and ask them permission to do shifts as a "ride along" (You are generally allowed 3 shifts) and try get some exposure to what you are going to be faced with. It is a good idea to probably do these shifts BEFORE you have paid your money to do your course. Sometimes, you just need to be persistent with the 'powers that be' to get your shifts sorted - I struggled at first too, but now I'm a BAA/BLS and have been told "I'm part of the furniture"
Use these shifts as learning experiences and also ways of getting to know the medics for future help.
DOING THE COURSE!
1. If you do the course part time, remember that you must make time to study! Do not make the mistake I did and leave everything to the last minute - the course is not very long and they throw alot at you, study all the time!
2. If you do the course full time, you have the same story - study study study study!
3. If you don't know something, find a BAA/BLS and ask them questions but also don't be scared to use Google - I promise, it can help with alot of your questions!
4. Study your protocols!
5. Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! YOUR OSCE'S and PATIENT SIMS!!! (Did I mention practice? If you need a patient and no friends will help you, get pillow(s) and use that as a patient, need a 'oxygen cylinder' use a coke bottle! MAKE-R- PLAN!)
YOU QUALIFIED! YAY!
First off... Welcome to the family!
"Now the learning starts" as a paramedic said to me, and man was he right!
Depending on if you spend your time doing volunteer shifts or not, the more shifts you do, the more exposure you'll get and the more you'll learn - expect to learn all the time!
I suggest going out with the government ambulance service ALOT but working with crews that work! (You'll see what I mean by this!) It's the best way to learn as they get the most calls and the most exposure. The private services are great too, but many shifts will be quiet and that is time wasted (12 hours!).
Continue to teach yourself, read up on the ILS protocol, understand why ILS/ALS do what they do, learn about ECG's etc etc etc.
Remember your basics!
When you ready to do your ILS, go for it - but don't go and do it because you have the money and time - do it because you are ready and only YOU can answer that (It's the best bit of advice I've ever been given!)
MORE INFORMATION
* Some Netcare 911 bases have a 'reservist' program - you can join them and jump on as a 3rd person etc. (HERE is one such example that I helped start)
* ER24 do not take reservists, volunteers or ride alongs - To work for ER24 as a 'reservist' or 'ad-hoc' you need to register with a company called "MEDI STAFF" and that my friend is a mission! Also expect to be called at the last possible moment to work a shift, you can say yes or no obviously, but ya!
* Metro EMS (Western Cape) do allow people to jump on as 'ride alongs' or 'observers'
* Gauteng EMS - I'm not entirely sure how they work but from what I've been told by people, they need all the help they can get which is why there is so many private EMS type services in that part of the world.
THE END
Okay! Any questions... ask!
I'll update this first post accordingly or just add to the thread.
And for those who are keen to know what I've learnt since starting as a medic... see the following blog post: http://medicnick83.blogspot.com/2011/06/for-all-those-aspiring-medics.html
QUESTIONS!
1. I put my name down to do a national diploma - Ndip, maybe you know it? But didn't get in, what do I do now? (Via Twitter)
Go do a BAA/BLS! Once you do manage to do your Ndip, your first year will be a breeze whereas those coming straight outta school (most of them) will spend most of the 1st year struggling whereas you have the knowledge and the practical experience!
2. I qualified as a BAA and will be doing my first shift with Netcare 911 next week, any advice? (Via Twitter)
Be early, get to know the crew, ask them to show you the ambulance (and equipment) and the jump bag (study it as best as you can so you know where everything is) and do the vehicle check WITH the crew... get as involved as possible, show you want to learn and the shift will be lovely!
3. You talk about volunteering, but what about career path? (Via MyBB)
Same things apply, but you must remember that I highly recommend you spend alot of your time, especially when you NEW volunteering, getting the experience - that's what others do, it helps in your interview! I'd choose someone who has 9 months (thumb suck) of road experience over someone who has no experience and just qualified.
4. I need help with my studies, questions etc, but don't know anyone - help! (Via Twitter)
Send me a e-mail with your questions and I'll help you gladly. But don't expect me to do your work for you! I'm all for helping and explaining and where I don't know the answers, I have a network of friends who would be more than keen to help me help YOU.
5. To do shifts, must I go or can I get my parents to go and sort that out for me.
Oh, please don't get your parents to do things for you!!! Do it yourself! If you want to be in this industry, you have to be a adult about things so go and do it all yourself.
I get asked this via PM often enough, so I decided to start this thread so that it will stop people asking me via PM's
I'm a big fan of helping and such, so here goes!
It's going to be alot, so make an effort to read it please.
First things first, you probably have to sit down and ask yourself why you want to become a "medic" ? (I won't say paramedic because people abuse the term too much or don't use it correctly!)
For whatever reason you decide, I want to tell you a couple of things;
1. Becoming a medic is great - you will know a lot more than a average first aider, you could save a life etc but you will also see some horrible things too, so remember that because those things will affect you in some way or another.
2. If you want to explore it because of financial reasons, well, you are barking up the wrong tree - BAA's get paid R6000± - studying further will yield only slightly better results so it's very important to remember that becoming a medic, you really should do it for the passion of helping people... all people, all races etc.
3. Becoming a volunteer medic has it's own kettle of fish associated with it but it's probably more of a rewarding experience because while everyone else does the job to get paid, you do it for the love of it - my first warning here is that if you do it for the "love of it" like I do, you're probably going to fall inlove with it, like I have and then things will probably get more interesting!
4. Life is going to change for you, you're going to adjust the way you look at things once you see the things you see, the conditions people live in etc - brace yourself!
There are many rumors that the BAA/BLS qualification will be scrapped soon - I want to inform everyone that maybe it will, maybe it won't - they've been saying it for yonks now... you decide!
DOING THE COURSE!
1. I highly suggest that you do a first aid level 3 course - ignore level 1, I don't know why they bother with level 1, level 3 is level 1 with a few more stuff added. Spend the extra crash, do level 3 and don't just do level 3 to get the certificate, study it, know it because it will help you when you do your BAA/BLS qualification.
2. Go get your code 8 drivers license and while you at it, do your PrDP. Lessons cost money as is expensive.
3. Go get your code 10 (if you have your code 8) and do the PrDP for that too. Lessons cost more money are is really expensive! I know, I'm struggling to get money to do my code 10 driving lessons!
4. Find a college in your area that can do the BAA/BLS but make sure they are HPCSA certified! (Check this link for a document that has the latest names of places you can go) This is very important! Pointless paying however much it is (R7000±) and HPCSA won't register you because your college isn't certified! Since I come from Cape Town, I can highly recommend Ambutek (Milnerton) but I know that St Johns also does the BAA/BLS qualification - personally I would goto Ambutek - I've seen the St John's BAA/BLS guys and well... I think they needed to be taught more stuff! but that's honestly just my opinion.
5. Once you found your college and booked your spot in the course, now is a good time to get ready for the course.
6. You can download a BAA/BLS study guide that was started by Robert Burger and edited (alot!) by Me. The link is: http://www.quickshare.co.za/files/xz0obapu/BLSstudyguide.zip.html
7. Download and study the BAA/BLS protocols like it's your new bible! know it back to front and front to back! Jokes aside, the protocols are very very important. A link to download is as follows: http://www.hpcsa.co.za/downloads/emergency_care/basic_life_support.pdf
Point 6 & 7 will only help make your life easier while on course - the more you know before your course starts, the better because during the course, ALOT is going to be thrown at you! Just remember, Use the guide as that... a guide!
8. If you are able, and have time, approach Netcare 911, ER24 or the government ambulance service and ask them permission to do shifts as a "ride along" (You are generally allowed 3 shifts) and try get some exposure to what you are going to be faced with. It is a good idea to probably do these shifts BEFORE you have paid your money to do your course. Sometimes, you just need to be persistent with the 'powers that be' to get your shifts sorted - I struggled at first too, but now I'm a BAA/BLS and have been told "I'm part of the furniture"
Use these shifts as learning experiences and also ways of getting to know the medics for future help.
DOING THE COURSE!
1. If you do the course part time, remember that you must make time to study! Do not make the mistake I did and leave everything to the last minute - the course is not very long and they throw alot at you, study all the time!
2. If you do the course full time, you have the same story - study study study study!
3. If you don't know something, find a BAA/BLS and ask them questions but also don't be scared to use Google - I promise, it can help with alot of your questions!
4. Study your protocols!
5. Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice! YOUR OSCE'S and PATIENT SIMS!!! (Did I mention practice? If you need a patient and no friends will help you, get pillow(s) and use that as a patient, need a 'oxygen cylinder' use a coke bottle! MAKE-R- PLAN!)
YOU QUALIFIED! YAY!
First off... Welcome to the family!
"Now the learning starts" as a paramedic said to me, and man was he right!
Depending on if you spend your time doing volunteer shifts or not, the more shifts you do, the more exposure you'll get and the more you'll learn - expect to learn all the time!
I suggest going out with the government ambulance service ALOT but working with crews that work! (You'll see what I mean by this!) It's the best way to learn as they get the most calls and the most exposure. The private services are great too, but many shifts will be quiet and that is time wasted (12 hours!).
Continue to teach yourself, read up on the ILS protocol, understand why ILS/ALS do what they do, learn about ECG's etc etc etc.
Remember your basics!
When you ready to do your ILS, go for it - but don't go and do it because you have the money and time - do it because you are ready and only YOU can answer that (It's the best bit of advice I've ever been given!)
MORE INFORMATION
* Some Netcare 911 bases have a 'reservist' program - you can join them and jump on as a 3rd person etc. (HERE is one such example that I helped start)
* ER24 do not take reservists, volunteers or ride alongs - To work for ER24 as a 'reservist' or 'ad-hoc' you need to register with a company called "MEDI STAFF" and that my friend is a mission! Also expect to be called at the last possible moment to work a shift, you can say yes or no obviously, but ya!
* Metro EMS (Western Cape) do allow people to jump on as 'ride alongs' or 'observers'
* Gauteng EMS - I'm not entirely sure how they work but from what I've been told by people, they need all the help they can get which is why there is so many private EMS type services in that part of the world.
THE END
Okay! Any questions... ask!
I'll update this first post accordingly or just add to the thread.
And for those who are keen to know what I've learnt since starting as a medic... see the following blog post: http://medicnick83.blogspot.com/2011/06/for-all-those-aspiring-medics.html
QUESTIONS!
1. I put my name down to do a national diploma - Ndip, maybe you know it? But didn't get in, what do I do now? (Via Twitter)
Go do a BAA/BLS! Once you do manage to do your Ndip, your first year will be a breeze whereas those coming straight outta school (most of them) will spend most of the 1st year struggling whereas you have the knowledge and the practical experience!
2. I qualified as a BAA and will be doing my first shift with Netcare 911 next week, any advice? (Via Twitter)
Be early, get to know the crew, ask them to show you the ambulance (and equipment) and the jump bag (study it as best as you can so you know where everything is) and do the vehicle check WITH the crew... get as involved as possible, show you want to learn and the shift will be lovely!
3. You talk about volunteering, but what about career path? (Via MyBB)
Same things apply, but you must remember that I highly recommend you spend alot of your time, especially when you NEW volunteering, getting the experience - that's what others do, it helps in your interview! I'd choose someone who has 9 months (thumb suck) of road experience over someone who has no experience and just qualified.
4. I need help with my studies, questions etc, but don't know anyone - help! (Via Twitter)
Send me a e-mail with your questions and I'll help you gladly. But don't expect me to do your work for you! I'm all for helping and explaining and where I don't know the answers, I have a network of friends who would be more than keen to help me help YOU.
5. To do shifts, must I go or can I get my parents to go and sort that out for me.
Oh, please don't get your parents to do things for you!!! Do it yourself! If you want to be in this industry, you have to be a adult about things so go and do it all yourself.
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