Help!?

[veganess]

Well
It's official.
I've waited until the the last. possible. minute.

I took my EMR course innn... May?
Wow. It doesnt feel like it's been that long.

Anyways. I waited forever before booking my practical exam.
Soo, when I booked it, they tell you it's for 3 days?
I didn't understand WHY it was that long, but I booked off the time, and found a hotel.
Now I just got a confirmation day saying it's for sun nov 15- When I orignally thought it was fri, sat and sun.
People who've taken it before- Do I have to be there fri sat and sun, or just the sun? So confused. And everytime I call them, they just confuse me further.

Second of all.
I work with SJA, training kids once a week in standard first aid (I'm not a certified instructor YET, working on it).
That's about all the practise I've done since my EMR course. Once a week hands on training at a standard level. I have standard down pat, I'm golden there, but I totally forgot about the practical until I got the email- I haven't done a traction splint, or taken a BP, or used EMR protocol in months, and it's not like I have that equiptment in my back pocket to practise with.
Yaaaaaa. I know, it's not looking good for me.

I'm going to cram, try and reread the whole text before then- Any suggestions for what my silly self should concentrate on the most?

All help and advice appreciated, all lectures and jokes at my expense will be understood.
Ahhhhh

[northernmedic]

Okay, first of all which province are you in and where are you taking the exam. If you are in BC I can probably give you some advice. If not well, sorry.

[prmdc_girl91]

Probably the best advice I can say is to go to your local fire/ems hall (I don't know, where I'm from they're together, might be different for you) and ask them if you can go over skills with them and ask them about their ACP tests (not sure if you're doing ACP or what, but...that's besides the point). I've had lots of people tell me "this for sure will be on ACP" so I could focus on that. HUGE help.

Also...if you're involved with SJA, see if you can sit in on some classes to refresh your skills. Trust me, you're going to learn best by doing things, not just reading.

If you're doing ACP...at least when I went it was Friday/Saturday/Sunday, but maybe this round is different? So Friday was the written exam, then Saturday was the practical exam, then Sunday was the redo for the practical if you failed (if you failed the written part you have to go back up another time...LAME). So...Sunday I really didn't have to stay at all, but, you never know.

Honestly, everyone makes a huge deal out of it, but I didn't find it to be "too" bad. Don't stress out. Know your stuff, do what you know, and you'll be fine.

[veganess]

I'm in Nanimo BC, taking my test in Vic.
I'm going to certified for my EMR.
I don't think I have time to sit in on lessons through SJA (plus, there is politics involved, I'm techincally a part of another brigade, so I don't think Nan Div would want to help me out very much, since I train their competition).
I don't think we have a local EMS building.... I can try talking to paramedics and ambulances, but I'm sure they are busy folk- and I'm kind of concerned they'll laugh me out if I go asking for help a week before the test.
Ya, I've heard some horror stories about people taking this test- and all of those people had their skills completely top notch.
I'd like to say I was one of the top people in my class when I took the course, if I had've gone for my practical right after that course, I would've been top dollar. But I've waited a long while, and I'm very rusty.

[EmperorPenguin]

I'm from Alberta so I haven't the slightest idea as to the composition of the written in BC but as for the practical just use this week to study the crap out of protocol. If you can remember all your criticals and stick to protocol the whole test you can't fail.

I've been teaching brigade for SJA a long time, I'm sure they wouldn't mind helping you out regardless of competitions. Ask if they have an EMR instructor on staff, doing a couple evenings of study can't hurt.

As for talking with some medics it never hurts to ask, remember that they had to take the exact same test to get where they are now. And if this is something you really want and worked for why give up now, keep at it!

[firechick15]

Why don't you contact a unit chief in one of the outlying areas around Nanaimo. They probably would not mind going over the sager and your other protocols. They might have a bit more down time than the city...Good luck

[radar81]

They do exams for 3 days, but you will be told that you have to be there for only one day, for the Practical. I took a year before I had my License, 6 months to take the practical, my only advantage was that I am in a firehall and instruct the FR3's.

If you know your protocols and how to apply wooden splints (Many People Dont) you will do fine, take your time on Rolls and breath, the evaluators are not there to fail you, if you treat them with respect they will help you out.

It is rare that someone has to come back and complete all three evolutions again usually you will get a paper and or have to come back and do 1 scenario or skill station.

Your written isnt taken at the same time, you can book it and usually do it at the access center, I did mine at the access center in Duncan, they just put me in a board room.

As for practicing it may be hard to get one of the BCAS stations to help unless you know someone, some of the firehalls can help with the Rolls etc but unless you know someone it may be hard, if your in the Cowichan area I may be able to help.

Good Luck! and best advice is breath and take your time.

[Paraone]

The Best Advice I Can Give You Is To Contact Greg Wright At The Ji In Parksville And Ask Him If It Is Okay For You To Come In For A Few Hours For A Couple Days And Practice Your Skills With A Emr Class.

Also Read Your Emr Book Again, Not The Entire Thing, But Sections You Feel You Need To Review.
As Radar81 Said, Practice Your Rolls, Sager Splint, Wooden Splints, As Well If You Do Not Understand Or Unclear Of Something, Ask The Insturctor To Repeat It. Do Not Be Afraid To Ask Questions!!

Good Luck!!