This evening, I was looking at my college courses for the fall. One thing I had been planning on was getting my EMT-B certification. I don't need these credits to graduate, it's just something I'd be interested in. I'd like to eventually be certified for TEMS (tactical emergency medical support) - basically, in civilian law enforcement the SWAT medic (I thought I saw somewhere that there is a similar position on boarding teams).

Well, looking at my schedule for the fall as well as the cost (college is expensive ), this is seeming like less and less of a good idea......

So, I'm wondering do you think it would be valuable for me to hold this certification prior to going to bootcamp, or, would I have access to this sort of training in the coast guard (I am not planing on doing HS, this is more just an on the side interest).


Thanks for your input

Depending upon your station you might have the time... if you get a big white needle of death, well time spent ashore, there might not be enough to complete the course. But if money is that tight, God I can fell that pain LOL, you might want to hold off and see what you can accomplish once you get it in the CG.

Just an opinion, run with it from there.

Can't hurt to hold the certification but skills will diminish if not able to practice them on a regular basis plus you must maintain continuing education hours every year, or you will lose the certification, several ways to get these CE hours but it will also be an added expense.

I would not recommend taking the EMT-B course online please take it on site with an instructor your training will be more solidified, CE can be done online if needed but still better to learn by an instructor. I like your motivation Jessica, stay focused on your goals and you shall achieve them!

Thanks for the opinions.

I forgot about the annual CE hours... hmmmm.......

Some states require annual CE hours. When i took the course in CA we only had to recertify every couple of years. But that may have changed. If you have the time, it would certainly be a good idea to take the course. The world needs more people out there trained for emergencies. The CG will give you the basic first aid/first responder type training. But an EMT course will teach you more. I second what captkyguy said about taking the course with instructors. You can take a drivers ed course on-line, but think about how much more you'd learn if you actually got hands-on training. The same goes for EMT training.

What state laws do you go by, Im stationed in FL, but keep everything in CA. I assume whatever state you are in you certify with.

In Michigan you also need a certain number of hours to keep your license up.

Posted By E on 07 Jun 2010 07:16 PM
I assume whatever state you are in you certify with.

Its best to take a state course wherever you are, then take the National Register exam. Most states honor a NR EMT certification, or will allow you to take a "remedial" class that is shortened to teach you your "Scope of Practice" for that state. Michigan is one of the states that does not take NREMT-B certification. Indiana is one that does. More information: http://www.nremt.org/ Also, ALL states require either that you get CE hours, or that you take an annual or semiannual refresher course. Somewhere on this forum is a paramedic asking a similar question. You should read those posts because they are very informative, and outline some ways you might get CE hours.