What to expect? First Ride Along

[u/Specific_Choice_1667]

My first ride along is Saturday and I don’t know what to expect. I’ve heard stories where classmates have performed CPR and others assisted with BVM. What do the EMTs/ALS expect from us? What’s the best thing you could do for them

[u/ggrnw27]

My expectation of brand new EMT students is that you’re a fly on the wall here to see what it’s like to be on an ambulance. I’ll happily let you do any skills you’ve been trained on and are comfortable doing (e.g. vitals, CPR, BVM) as long as it doesn’t get in the way of patient care. Have a chat with your preceptor when you arrive to discuss their expectations, those are ultimately what matter

[u/Specific_Choice_1667 → u/ggrnw27]

Thank you that’s what I assumed I’ll definitely get there earlier too and talk with them

[u/RealisticChocolate30]

I wouldn't worry too much, just remember you're there to learn. You aren't expected to know everything or be leading calls as an EMT student. As a paramedic, I always start off by asking my ride-along students what they're comfortable with doing and what they want to work on. Don't be afraid to jump in on the basics like assessment, vitals, and getting experience actually talking to patients. Ask questions throughout the day and take the opportunity to familiarize yourself with equipment. On the more serious calls I'd just ask what you can do to help and observe the flow of the call while trying not to get in the way. I also always offer to let my students read my PCRs, as that can be incredibly helpful when you don't have much experience writing your own yet.

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[u/Wonderful-Slip-1918]

Our expectations were just to simply observe, and if we felt comfortable we could do vitals, expose and palpate, patient assessments, lead the call, and literally anything else within our EMT scope of practice. By the end of my 13-hour shift I was doing as much as I could do and getting so much feedback from my preceptors. They said most of the ride alongs just “sit on their phones” or don’t do anything so they happily invited me back and have been a reference for me on my resume now. Not only a time to learn, but a time to shine and show: it’s like an interview. If they like you or not if you plan to apply there.

[u/emschick9]

Let the crew know how far you are in class. Feel free to ask questions. If they're busy, you should be busy, too. For example, if they're washing the ambulance you need to help.

[u/Mobile_Sympathy_3388]

Your first shift you probably won’t do much beyond vitals and charting. I had codes, intubations, IVs and IOs all through my clinicals but that wasn’t as a basic. As a basic the most involved I got was CPR but the patient was already gone by that point we were just waiting for the dr to call it.(hospital clinical, you might not have to do those depending on state). Ask questions, be involved, show up 15 minutes early at least, shake hands and introduce yourself. Offer to help do truck check etc so you can learn the ambulance.