I just went thru all my testing to become an Emergency Medical Technician. It's probably one of the greatest experiences I had in my life so far. I did a lot of medic stuff in the army so I decided to be an EMT on the side after all this 9/11 stuff happened. You can't describe the feeling you get when you save somebody. Even before my exams we did rotations on ambulances and I got a chance to bring back some folks and receive a birth. I mean there is me with all this theory learning, hand in hand with my partner bringing back a lady who collapsed on the street. When we got to her she was almost gone. Her vital signs were off the chart and you do what you have to do and your training kicks in and next time you walk into the hospital, nursing staff tells you that she made it and she is going to be ok. This is one of the kind feeling that shows you that you single handed can make a difference. Job has a down side as well .There is a lot of waiting, some patients are nasty, you taxi a lot of drunks and crazies and have numerous bull crap calls but that one call that you get when you go out all the way makes it all worth it. I just keep telling my self that I see people at their worst therefore I forgive all their radical behavior. Since you are in Portugal right now I have no idea how rules about medics work in Europe but in the states you need a high school diploma and be at least 18 years old. It’s definitely a choice since medic careers are stress full and working in the high paced environment can really put a lot of load on you but it is a rewarding career. You will not become super rich but it pays enough. To be a good Medic you need to be curious, polite yet firm, sharp and have ability to think fast and improvise. A lot of times in the field stuff happens that no book can describe it and there are those calls that you wished you never got (infant/child problems or abuse trauma). You have to be able to look professional no matter what. When patient looks into your eyes, he can’t see fear or distress or uncertainty. He needs to see confidence and knowledge. I got called to gunshot wound to the neck and none of the stuff was in the book. Yet you follow what you know and learned and this kid’s mother when she looked at us she knew we will save her kid. I only knew the basics about child birth in the middle of the course yet when it came to one I got my stuff straight and did what I had to do. Delivered a healthy baby boy without any problems. I was scared and really afraid but on the outside I was cooler than Shaft. It’s not for everyone and I deal with a lot of Medics who are burned out or don’t care anymore. I think you should ask a local ambulance crew to let you ride with them on couple of calls. You see the real deal right there. Just remember and I did find it disturbing at first that you are the most important person on that scene. Your safety and ability to perform is far more important than anything (even than patients health). Yes heroic acts are great but if you get hurt, you are not good for anyone. We get about 6-7 calls for 8 hour shift and that adds up to a lot in a week. Most of it is nothing serious and that kind of makes the job repetitive and boring but like I said before, this one serious call makes up for all of it.

Matt