Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) frequently respond to calls involving traumatic injuries, abdominal pain, respiratory distress, and chest pain. They can also be called for emergencies involving psychiatric behaviors, loss of consciousness, altered states of consciousness, seizures, poisonings, drug ingestion, diabetic symptoms, strokes, and other medical issues.
When the people at the scene know what the medical symbol for EMT is, it is easier for the EMTs to treat the victims quickly and without interruption. Usually, EMTs know what type of emergency they are responding to before they arrive at the scene.
In many cases, though, they don’t. For this reason, they need to complete their training for an EMT exam and be fully certified so they know how to expect the unexpected.
Common Injuries and Illnesses Treated by EMTs
Sometimes, the caller doesn’t see, isn’t aware of, or can’t fully describe the extent of the injuries or illness before them. For example, they may tell a dispatcher that there was a two-car accident and that the victims are unconscious. When the EMTs arrive, they may find the accident victims have multiple broken bones, deep wounds, or head injuries.
The National Emergency Medical Services Information System collects, stores, and shares data about emergency services in the US and American territories. It reported that the most common conditions EMTs see are:
Traumatic Injuries
Traumatic injuries account for more than 21% of EMT calls. These are sudden and severe injuries caused by physical force (e.g., car accidents, falls, drowning, gunshots, fires, etc.). More people die from trauma than all infectious diseases combined.
Abdominal Pain
Approximately 12% of EMT calls are related to gastrointestinal problems. Many issues‒gas, indigestion, and pulled muscles‒are usually not serious. However, nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, dark stools, and urinary symptoms could signal something more serious.
The patient could have appendicitis, biliary colic, cholecystitis, diverticulitis, intestinal obstruction, pancreatitis, renal colic, an abdominal aortic aneurysm, or another medical condition that requires urgent medical attention.
Respiratory Distress
12% of the calls EMTs receive involve respiratory distress. There are many causes for shortness of breath‒such as a lung or airway problem (e.g., allergic reactions, asthma, etc.). Alternatively, there could be a problem in another part of the body such as a stroke, sepsis, or diabetic ketoacidosis‒causing shortness of breath.
Chest Pain
Chest pain accounts for about 10% of EMT responses. Symptoms can be described as stabbing pain, dull aches, burning sensations, etc. The pain can radiate from the chest to the back, down the arms, or up into the neck and jaw. Similarly, the causes of chest pain can range from a life-threatening heart attack to indigestion and anxiety.
Emergencies Can Be Different Than 911 Calls
Most people who call 911 to report an emergency don’t have any medical experience. They may not understand the extent of the injuries or conditions of the hurt or ill person, making it difficult for emergency responders to know what to expect before arriving at the scene.
Get the Training You Need
EMTs must be thoroughly trained and pass rigorous examinations before safely working as an emergency responder. Emergency situations are often fluid, so EMTs need to recognize and adapt to changing circumstances.
During your training, you will learn how to recognize common hazards at the scene of an emergency, what treatment needs to be provided, and the patient’s state in stressful and chaotic situations. At The Paramedic Coach, we offer additional training videos, practice questions, and other resources to help you understand what the name is for an advanced EMT and how to pass your EMT exam!
