EMT basic skills

The following is a list of skills that the NHTSA / NREMT Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (EMT-B) is required to master.

Curriculum

CPR

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Airway Oxygen and Ventilation Skills - Upper Airway Adjuncts and Suction

• Oropharyngeal airway
• Suction
• Nasopharyngeal airway

Bag-Valve-Mask - Apneic Patient

• Bag valve mask

Bleeding Control/Shock Management

• Body substance isolation
• Emergency bleeding control
• Dressing wounds

Cardiac arrest management / AED

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Automated external defibrillator

Immobilization Skills - Joint Injury, Long Bone Injury, Traction Splinting

• Splinting

Oxygen Administration

• Oxygen therapy
• Bag valve mask
• Nasal cannula
• Non-rebreather mask
• Simple face mask

Patient Assessment / Management-Medical[1]

General (SAMPLE history)

• Signs and Symptoms
• Allergies?
• Medications?
• Past pertinent history?
• Last oral intake?
• Event leading to present illness (rule out trauma)?

Physical Examination

• Vitals
• Interventions?
• Transport?
• Detailed physical examination?

Respiratory or Cardiac (OPQRST)

• Onset?
• Provokes?
• Quality?
• Radiates?
• Severity?
• Time?
• Interventions?

Trauma (DCAP-BTLS)

• Deformities?
• Contusions?
• Abrasions?
• Penetrations?

• Burns?
• Tenderness?
• Lacerations?
• Swelling?

Altered Mental Status

• Description of the episode
• Onset?
• Duration?
• Associated Symptoms?
• Evidence of Trauma?
• Interventions?
• Seizures?
• Fever?

Allergic Reaction

• History of Allergies
• What were you exposed to?
• How were you exposed?
• Effects?
• Progression?
• Interventions?

Poisoning / Overdose

• Substance?
• When did you ingest / become exposed?
• How much did you ingest?
• Over what time period?
• Interventions?
• Estimated Weight?

Environmental Emergency

• Source?
• Environment?
• Duration?
• Loss of Consciousness?
• Effects - general or local?

Obstetrics

• Are you pregnant?
• How long have you been pregnant?
• Pain or contractions?
• Bleeding or discharge?
• Do you feel the need to push?
• Last menstrual period?

Behavioral

• How do you feel?
• Determine suicidal tendencies
• Is the patient a threat to self or others?
• Is there a medical problem?
• Interventions?

Patient Assessment/Management-Trauma

• Airway
• Breathing
• Circulation
• Focused or Rapid Assessment

References

• National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians [2].