Call it an early midlife crisis, or just call it tired of the same old daily bs..... but I'm quitting full time work after the end of the month and heading back to school. First off, taking an AHA CPR/First Aid Instructor course so I can teach basic and make a few bucks here and there. Next up is some technical rope work and rope rescue classes. In January, I'm enrolled in the Remote Medical W-EMT class. I've already done WFA and WFR this year, and it hasn't been enough. After each class I want to keep going, but haven't been able to because of work. Opportunity came up to go back to school, work part time, and still pay the bills. Spring term next year after the W-EMT, I'll be back in college. Its all about finishing things I started years ago.

Whew! On my last week of the course, and its been a burner. 2am wake up via air horn for a "SAR" mission, trauma, medical, environmental, 6 months of A&P shoved down our throats.......and I've been smiling the whole time. Also, just finished Mountain Rescue Doctor by Christopher Van Tilburg, which I would highly recommend.

For anyone who plans on getting into expedition work or hardcore SAR, I'd highly recommend a W-EMT class.

philoparts wrote:Call it an early midlife crisis, or just call it tired of the same old daily bs..... but I'm quitting full time work after the end of the month and heading back to school

My friends and I call it our 'American Beauty Moment'. Good on you for pursuing the dream.

Thanks man. Emergency medicine is something I started way back in high school, but one of those never got around to making it my career and passion. I've just always been in the right place at the right time here and there, but always wishing I knew more. After I quit smoking and got back into mountaineering, I kept coming across people in the backcountry that to me were severely ill-prepared for what they were doing. Started with "hey, the more I know the better I can do out here" to wanting to be able to help people all the time. Much more in my future, including Paramedic training as well as high angle rescue. Far from done, but moving forward.

Just finished the class today, all that is left is National Registry. Tell you what, if you like drinking from the firehose, thats what this class feels like. 6 to 12 months of training condensed into 25 days.

Congrats. I don't know about a fire hose, but I've been known to try the odd funnel off of the garage roof. Good Luck as you pursue your dreams.

Getting ready to possibly head to Haiti for a week doing some clinic work. We'll see, still working on more school too.

philoparts wrote:Call it an early midlife crisis, or just call it tired of the same old daily bs..... but I'm quitting full time work after the end of the month and heading back to school. First off, taking an AHA CPR/First Aid Instructor course so I can teach basic and make a few bucks here and there. Next up is some technical rope work and rope rescue classes. In January, I'm enrolled in the Remote Medical W-EMT class. I've already done WFA and WFR this year, and it hasn't been enough. After each class I want to keep going, but haven't been able to because of work. Opportunity came up to go back to school, work part time, and still pay the bills. Spring term next year after the W-EMT, I'll be back in college. Its all about finishing things I started years ago.

Good for you!

Tonight is my orientation with my local EMS service, time to get some use out of all my training!