Attending classes to become an EMT or a Paramedic is a daunting task for anyone. A student is expected to digest a large amount of information in a short amount of time.
The topics covered in a typical EMS class range from understanding human anatomy and physiology to the treatment of the body when those systems fail. Students are also expected to know how to respond to traumatic injuries.
Prehospital care of the sick and injured is an important job and these classes have high failure rates. An EMT or Paramedic student that wishes to succeed in class should take advantage of every resource available to them.
We have put together a list of free, with a few paid, resources to help students do just that. We also have a very helpful list of study tips to help students pass the NREMT exam.
General Study Resources for EMS Classes
This is a collection of resources that both EMT Basic and Paramedic level students can use to enhance their class performance.
Learn Anatomy and Physiology with Khan Academy’s Health and Medicine Course [Free]
Everything the EMS student needs to know in terms of how the body works can be found here. Khan Academy is a resource that countless students have used to bolster their subject knowledge and review lecture material (especially if they are poor note-takers).
Check out their Health and Medicine courses by clicking on the following link.
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/health-and-medicine
EMT Study Tools You Need To Crush Your Class
These tools are meant to aid prospective EMTs to complete their EMS education. While in no way required to complete an EMT Basic course. We feel these resources will make the journey to the emergency medical technician much easier.
EMS Field Guide
This is an easy-to-carry field guide that covers many of the important aspects of being an EMT. This is useful for students on the go as well as current emergency medical technicians as an easy reference guide.
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Designed for both beginning and experienced EMTs, the EMS Field Guide, BLS Version is the ideal quick reference. This field guide is an essential resource for EMS professionals. Whether you’re a student or a current EMT, this guide gives you quick access to vital information needed to do the job and study for class on the go.
This edition includes:
- EMT field determination of death checklist
- CDC criteria for field evaluation of school-aged athletes with head injuries
- Capnography waveform interpretation for BLA/AEMT providers
- Comprehensive ACLS algorithms for EMT/AEMT including asthma, traumatic and hypothermic arrest, and post-arrest resuscitation and care
- Pain assessment charts
- Updated infectious disease to include high-risk biological responses including Ebola and MERS
- Revised American Burn Association (ABA) burn resuscitation guidelines
Plus, this field guide includes all other charts and references that EMTs and AEMTs need ready access to in the field: APGAR, pediatric vital signs, stroke scales, GCS (infant, child, and adult), pupil chart, CDC Trauma Triage, O2 tank capacities, prescription drugs, abbreviations, spell checker, phone numbers, Spanish translations, and metric conversions.
The EMS Field Guide, BLS Version is the resource you’ll use in class, and take with you throughout your career.
EMT Class Lectures [Free]
Emergency: Care and Transport of the Sick and Injured, 12th Edition.
– Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoRRaYAmzLVSxPi1ERATLx_Zvz36ZtyMT
This is a playlist of 36 hours of EMT Basic lectures. This is perfect for students that want to review lecture material. This list is based on the book Emergency Care and Transport of the Sick and Injured by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). However, the material can be used as a review for any EMT Basic class.
Simply browse this playlist and click on the subject matter that corresponds with your lecture’s subject matter and review
NREMT Basic Psychomotor Exam Sheets [Free]
These are the actual sheets that proctors will use to test EMTs when they test for their EMT Basic certifications. These exams are typically held at the location the potential EMT has received their training.
NREMT Basic Level Skill Sheets, PDF Format
- Patient Assessment / Management – Trauma
- These sheets cover the care and management of a patient that has suffered a traumatic injury and is usually presented in a scenario format.
- Patient Assessment / Management – Medical
- These sheets cover the care and management of a patient who is experiencing a medical emergency and are usually presented in a scenario format.
- BVM Ventilation of an Apneic Adult Patient
- This skill sheet covers using a Bag Valve Mask on a nonbreathing patient.
- Oxygen Administration by Non-Rebreather Mask
- Covers the administration of O2 via a Non-Rebreather Mask. Be sure to pay attention to the auto fails and required O2 flow rates on the sheet.
- Spinal Immobilization (Seated Patient)
- This sheet checks off the needed skills to successfully immobilize a seated patient.
- Spinal Immobilization (Supine Patient)
- This sheet covers the use of a backboard for spinal immobilization, this is usually coupled with Long Bone Immobilization. It is advised to study these sheets in tandem.
- Bleeding Control / Shock Management
- In another scenario-based sheet, students will perform the actions necessary to stop bleeding as well as manage hypovolemic shock in an injury victim.
- Cardiac Arrest Management / AED
- Students will be expected to perform during a simulated cardiac arrest. This sheet covers what is expected as well as any auto fails that may be encountered.
- Joint Immobilization
- This involves splinting and caring for a joint fracture. Often coupled with the Trauma Management station. Be sure to review that sheet as well.
- Long Bone Immobilization
- This sheet is for assessing a student’s ability to deal with a long bone fracture, often the femur. Be ready to use a traction splint. Review the Spinal Immobilization of a Supine Patient sheet as well.
–from NREMT.org
These exam sheets are designed to test and evaluate the skill level of EMS personnel as they begin to enter the field as a prehospital care provider. It is good to use these sheets as a guide for practicing the physical aspect of the NREMT test and the life-saving skills the student learns during class.
Paramedic Study Tools You Need To Crush Your Class
These tools are meant to aid hopeful Paramedics to complete their EMS education. While in no way required to complete a paramedic course, we feel these resources will make the journey to paramedic certification much easier.
Paramedic Study Videos [Free]
Here is a playlist of videos that will help students pass their paramedic classes. It is advised to pair this with the EMT videos above. After all, the first half of Paramedic is essentially a more in-depth rehash of everything students learned in EMT class.
This is a very good Youtube Channel, we recommend subscribing to it.
Paramedic Drug Study Cards [Free]
A collection of 180 flashcards that cover everything from drug class to dosages.
If you are looking for hard-copied Paramedic Drug Cards, check out this offering from McGraw Hill.
McGraw Hill’s Paramedic FlashcardsPractice Paramedic Cardiology [Free and Paid]
SkillStat ECG Simulator
SkillStat Provides a free mini-game to study and learn rhythm strips. Click on the link below and test your knowledge.
https://www.skillstat.com/tools/ecg-simulator
The Dubins Book
One of the best books a Paramedic Student can obtain during their class is Rapid Interpretation of EKG’s, Sixth Edition. The Dubins book covers just about every aspect of understanding a rhythm strip.
- The readers rapid assimilation of medical concepts is the key to the continuing success of this best-selling book.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
NREMT Paramedic Psychomotor Exam Sheets [Free]
These are the actual sheets that proctors will use to test potential Paramedics when they test for their NREMT Certifications. These exams are typically held at the location the potential EMT has received their training.
NREMT Paramedic Level Skill Sheets, PDF Format
Paramedic candidates are tested on six skills: Patient Assessment – Trauma, Dynamic Cardiology, Static Cardiology, Oral Station Case A, Oral Station Case B, and the Integrated Out-Of-Hospital Scenario.
Patient Assessment-Trauma
Candidates are required to perform a “hands-on,” head-to-toe, physical assessment and voice treatment of a simulated patient for a given scenario, including:
- Scene Size-Up
- Primary Survey/Resuscitation
- History Taking
- Secondary Assessment
Cardiac Management Skills
The candidate is evaluated on their ability to manage cardiac arrhythmias and interpret ECGs. This will be verified in two portions:
You will be evaluated on your ability to manage a cardiac arrest situation, including actual delivery of electrical therapy and “voicing” all interpretations and treatments given a scenario. The presentation of the portion will be similar to a “megacode.”
Given four (4) prepared ECG tracings with associated patient information, you must verbalize the interpretation of each rhythm and voice all associated treatments.
Oral Station – Scenario A & B
You will be evaluated on your ability to verbally manage all aspects of an out-of-hospital call given two (2) separate cases: Oral A & Oral B
In each case, you will be evaluated in the following categories:
- Scene Management
- Patient Assessment
- Patient Management
- Interpersonal Relations
- Integration (verbal report, field impression, and transport decision)
Integrated Out-Of-Hospital Scenario
The Integrated Out-Of-Hospital Scenario (IOOH) will reflect either a pediatric, geriatric or adult patient. The candidate will be provided with a professional paramedic partner and evaluated on their ability to manage a call, lead a team, effectively communicate, and maintain professionalism throughout the simulated patient encounter.
–from NREMT.org
This page will be updated as more study resources are found. We hope you found this page informative and if it helped you please share it.