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Emergency medical technician facts for kids

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Star of life2
The Star of Life, a global symbol of the emergency medical service
US Navy 120203-N-CD652-001 U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay emergency technician (EMT) trainees work with Naval Station Guantanamo Bay firemen to
Learning to evacuate an injured person

An Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is a special healthcare worker. EMTs ride in an ambulance to help people who are sick or hurt. Their main job is to give first aid and medical care right away. They also safely take people to an emergency room at a hospital.

Years ago, EMTs were often called "ambulance drivers." This was because a big part of their job was driving patients to the hospital. Today, EMTs do much more than just drive. They provide important medical help on the scene.

What EMTs Do

EMTs are trained to handle many different medical emergencies. They perform life-saving actions before a person reaches the hospital. Here are some of the things EMTs do:

  • Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if someone's heart stops beating. They can also use a machine to give electric shocks to the chest.
  • Give oxygen to people who are not breathing well or have stopped breathing. Sometimes, they might even help force air into a person's lungs.
  • Help people breathe better by inserting a special tube into their windpipe.
  • Stop very bad bleeding that could be life-threatening.
  • Treat serious burns and other major injuries.
  • Help deliver a baby when it's time for birth.
  • Care for broken bones, dislocated joints, sprains, and wounds.

Rules for EMTs

In the United States, each state has its own rules for what EMTs are allowed to do. These rules are called treatment protocols. While all EMTs learn basic life support, some advanced actions might be different from state to state.

For example:

  • In Massachusetts, EMTs can give certain medicines. These medicines help people having heart attacks or severe asthma attacks. They can also treat very low blood sugar or serious allergic reactions called anaphylaxis.
  • In New Hampshire, EMTs are allowed to place a special breathing tube down a patient's throat. This helps them give oxygen directly to the lungs if a person cannot breathe on their own.

Related pages

Images for kids

  • Toronto Paramedic Services Critical Care Transport ambulance

    A Toronto critical care ambulance

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