Another good thing about EMT student ride-alongs (as opposed to "interested citizen" rides) is that you get to actually work with the patient and do things. Our system sponsored "interested citizen" rides but the rider was not allowed to do or touch anything. As an EMT student if you show the crew that you are motivated and willing to jump in with both feet, you'd be amazed at what a confident paramedic will let you do (with full supervision, of course).