Passing the time

I passed my National Registry EMT-B written test. Although there was never really any doubt (ahem), it's still nice to see the words "pass" next to your name. I'm planning on getting registered as an EMT-B in Texas, and will try to do some volunteer shifts in hospital ER's and ambulances in Dallas and Houston in the coming months. More training, more learning...it never stops. Reminds me of a favorite quote: "Luck is when preparation meets opportunity".

I have been training with Rick Roufus (6x world kickboxing champion) for the last couple of years. I've had a lot of time to train recently, something about not having a job. Among the other things I'll miss in Arizona, I'll definitely miss working up a sweat with Rick.

Thanks big guy.

Yes, I am THAT fast.

Done

Finished. Completed. Done. Over.

Of course, it'll be about 4-6 weeks until the score from our National Registry Exam are available. Waiting sucks. But the knowledge and experience from the last four weeks I will remember for a long time to come.

Reducing a shoulder dislocation? Delivering a baby? Making a traction splint from a hiking pole, rope, and towels? Bring it on.

This guy may not make it though.

Studying hard...or hardly studying?

Sir. We're like EMT's or something...can we help you? Don't mind the blood.

Instructors Hovey and Erica singing about our grades.

Instructor Brian demonstrating proper baby-delivering techniques.

Improvised litter day...having a little fun.

Rapid extraction from vehicles.

Cheers!

Let the testing begin!

I feel like my head is going to explode.  Thankfully, I'm managed to retain most of the information we have been learning the previous 3.5 weeks.  I hope.  Can't believe I'm almost done with the course.  Hope whoever is reading this (is ANYBODY reading this?) is well...and let me know how you're doing.

Course is kicking my butt

Lots of studying this weekend. Course is getting harder and harder every day. Scenario's are more complicated, rescues are more difficult, and the instructors are more demanding. Two more weeks to go. In the mean time...here's my home.

And here's me. Mom, it's just practice...I'm ok!

ER Rookie

DId my first ER rotation today.  Lost a patient.  Don't know what else to say.  Please take care of yourself and your loved ones.

Update from Lander, WY

A little update from Lander, WY.  We just finished our first week here at the WMI Wilderness EMT course.  The amount of information I have absorbed in the last five days is incredible.  The instruction and information is quite thorough, and my classmates are quite a diverse bunch.  Have an ER rotation tomorrow in Riverton, and I'm quite looking forward to that...I feel oddly competent, even though I'm still a neophyte.  I have no idea what has been happening in the world this past week, we are pretty much cut off from everything other than the course, and it doesn't bother me in the least bit.

My next major "MOO"-ve

Feel free to "MOO"-ave about the country. This is (hopefully) everything I need for next 5 weeks.





Next images will be from Denver...if there's actually anything interesting in the airport. *edit* Nada. I could have taken a picture of the young lady sitting next to me on the airplane who got sick on the approach to Denver, but I don't think she would have appreciated it.

Flapping away

The list of things I used to possess is finally longer than the list of things I currently possess. Very cathartic, I believe is the proper term. Leaving for Wyoming tomorrow morning. Knowledge awaits in the land of yellow stone. I just got another SD memory card, and will try to take some pictures of the supposedly very pictoresque setting of the Wilderness EMT course. Internet connections may be a bit tough to come by, but I'll see what I can do.

I'm a blogger!

Expanding horizons, seeking knowledge, searching for challenges, testing oneself. Grand goals, perhaps, but a path that one needs to take, one step at a time.

Rubbish. My life should be way more simple than a bunch of cliches. I leave this Thursday, May 11th, for Lander, Wyoming. I start my Wilderness EMT course on Monday, May 15th.
What comes after that? Who cares? Just as long as there's a smile involved.