Teens & EMT-B

[pqfdcadet3358]

I have a question. Are teenagers that are within a Fire/ EMS Department allowed to use there EMT-B skills in CT if they come across a person within the criteria as a 16 y/o?
EXAMPLE:
You are at you little brothers youth football game and a player on his team falls down and is hurt. The coaches go out to check on the player and they tell the home team that they need an EMT. Well since your an EMT and 16 you are debating on going out there because your not sure if you can help that player without getitng in trouble. (You are away at a different feild, not your home turf)
Heres my question, if a 16 or 17 yearold is in this situation are they allowed to perform EMT dutys with that patient while your awaiting for an ambulance or any medical help arrives and give them the patient handoff???

If you can help me out, I have been asked this question and was wondering if anybody could help me out.

If you can E-Mail me atqfdcadet3358@aim.com or message me on Radio Reference

Thanks

[FLRAILMAN]

Immunity for EMT/Firefighers and Duty to Render Assistance
It would be best to consult the chief or a senior officer of your department for clarification & the applicable policy of your department as it applies to them.
FLRAILMAN

[jeff726]

I'm not sure about CT, but in NY you can not be an EMT until you turn 18 y/o. There is another certification (CFR Certified First Responder) which is very similar to an EMT but does not have the ability to transport the person to the hospital. As for assisiting when you do not have an ambulance (again in NYS but I assume CT is similar) An EMT is covered under a special section of the DOH and as long as they are operating whitin the scope of their training they can assist. However there is no requitement that you provide assistance. But one you do start assistance (even asking if the person is OK) you are legaly bound to assist until somone with equal or higher medial training arrives and takes over

Hope that helps

Jeff

[Devilz311]

It's a state certification... As long as you're in CT, and are a CT certified EMT-B, you can practice as an EMT-B.

A lot of states certify at 16 years old (I got my initial EMT-B cert when I was 16), NREMT however, requires you to be 18.

[HarrisonRHW]

Originally Posted by Devilz311

It's a state certification... As long as you're in CT, and are a CT certified EMT-B, you can practice as an EMT-B.

A lot of states certify at 16 years old (I got my initial EMT-B cert when I was 16), NREMT however, requires you to be 18.

Since NREMT requires the person to be 18 at time of testing, and CT for several years now has used the NREMT-B exam for the written portion of testing within the state, I would question how there are 16 year olds that are certified as EMT-Bs within the state of CT

[FFPM571]

MRT is 14 EMT is 16

http://www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/ems/pd...pplication.pdf

[awasser1]

what would be the purpose of teaching u if u couldnt use it. I can get u an answer..my church friend is emt but away...I will send this to him and hopefully will have an answer by Friday.

If you can help me out, I have been asked this question and was wondering if anybody could help me out.

If you can E-Mail me atqfdcadet3358@aim.com or message me on Radio Reference

Thanks[/QUOTE]

[Devilz311]

Originally Posted by HarrisonRHW

Since NREMT requires the person to be 18 at time of testing, and CT for several years now has used the NREMT-B exam for the written portion of testing within the state, I would question how there are 16 year olds that are certified as EMT-Bs within the state of CT

It's probably the same way NJ does it... When I took my initial test, the three of us in the class that were 16 were given a "different" test. It's identical to the NREMT test, just says NJ on the cover...

[FFPM571]

Back when I took it in 1986 in Illinois it was 18. I took EMT as a college level class for High school credit. I took the test the day of my 18th birthday, had the results 3 weeks later. I was working on an ambulance that week. I took my paramedic state test the day before my 19th and was certified 3 months later. I at that time was the youngest paramedic in the state.

Wow I feel old..

[m-town]

Originally Posted by Devilz311

It's probably the same way NJ does it... When I took my initial test, the three of us in the class that were 16 were given a "different" test. It's identical to the NREMT test, just says NJ on the cover...

This is correct. You can be a state certified EMT in CT at 16. The only difference is you do not get NREMT, which most don't give a hoot about anyway. Mine expired years ago and I don't miss it. We have and have had many 16 & 17 year old EMT's in my department, and most of them are very good EMT's.

Your football game example is a difficult one to answer. Are you legally allowed to act on your certification in that situation, yes. However without equipment and depending on what the injury is, you may not be very useful. So base your decision on what the situation is vs what you can do about it. Of course if the kid is coding or in serious or unstable condition, get in there and I'd be right behind you.

The same goes for almost any situation. An unequiped EMT can be useful in some situations and accomplish nothing in others. You don't need a jump kit to stabilize injuries, hold c-spine, or do CPR. But just keep in mind your abilities and your own safety.

[georged4997]

ctfireems.com try this they might answer your question

[m-town]

Also don't forget that once you start patient care, you're stuck with it until someone of an equal or higher level of training arrives and you hand off care. If a bunch of MRT's from the local FD show up, you are still in charge and can not hand off the patient to them. You have to wait for EMT's or paramedics to arrive.

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[pqfdcadet3358]

Thank you everybody who commented on this, espically m-town.