Approved Medcial training courses and schools

[tugsailor]

Which well equipped schools offer the most intensive and all around best Med-PIC courses?

Does anyone have an opinion about Remote Medical International's --- Wilderness EMT and Med-PIC combination course? Their four week course qualifies one for the national registry as an EMT-B, and state licensing as an EMT, in addition to meeting the USCG / STCW requirements for Med-PIC.

Is there a market for mariners with a much higher Wilderness EMT level of training, rather than just Med-PIC? Or would a four week course be a lot of extra time (four times as long) and extra money (about twice as much) for training that maritime employers would not care about.

[Orniphobe]

I just took MED-PIC at MPT. Two days in the Broward Co. ER makes it worthwhile, plus good instructors. I think MITAGs offers an ER visit too.

Only problem was the medics in the class, whining the whole time because Seadrill made them go. They were upset because we could only observe. Still got to see two codes, stiched up hand, and run over pedestrian with multiple broken bones.

[Capt Leigh]

I've heard it is great training, but I doubt that it carries much weight with employers.......
Acadia just outside of Lafayette Louisiana used to offer the PIC, and they train a great many medics for the rigs....I audited the class years ago and it was top notch.
I'm curious if this has been suggested by, and or required by your company, as the STCW rules concerning the requirement seem vague.
On my boat in Brasil we were required to have tons of injectable drugs, but no one on board was required to have any training, and didn't know the first thing about how, or when to use them.
I'm still currently licensed as a paramedic in Texas, so I've seen some good and some not so good information and instructors in this area .

[tugsailor]

Cap, Do you think that your EMT training and status has ever tipped the balance in your favor when you were job hunting?

It would seem to me that when an HR guy is looking at a dozen resumes that seem otherwise identical to him, that having one with EMT certification might tip the scales in that guy's favor. Its really expensive to divert a vessel to nearest port to get a sick or injured crewman off and to replace him. Most aliments are not very serious. Having someone who can make a good assessment of the situation and provide stabilizing care, rather than provide little or no care and focus only on getting the man ashore, could be quite a cost savor. Obtaining a good attempt at initial care onboard could also mean that an injured man might be willing and able to return much sooner (without calling any lawyers from his hospital bed).

Maybe I give HR people too much credit, but most of them know what they are doing.

[seadog6608]

I took the Med-Pic at MITAGS last year. Very good course with one very busy day at baltimore-Washington ER. I'd like to learn more about that Wilderness EMT class mentioned. I would do that on my own time-dime.

[tugsailor]

Here is the link: http://www.remotemedical.com/

Here is another one: http://www.wildmed.com/ Since you already have Med-PIC their shorter W-EMT course might be better for you.

[seadog6608]

Now that I've had a chance to look around the net, I see there are quite a few of these schools around. Thanks for the tip and links, tugsailor!