I’m an EMT who works primarily as a software engineer. After years of hesitation, I finally earned my license in 2024 by taking a month off for an accelerated NOLS Wilderness EMT course in Wyoming. My delay stemmed from practical concerns like time commitment, cultural discomfort with EMS environments, and uncertainty about fitting in. I worried about the fratty, often male-dominated culture of first responders, which I experienced firsthand after college. I also doubted I’d relate to younger, more adventurous classmates, though the program actually attracted a mix of pre-meds and professionals. Balancing my day job at Microsoft was another factor — I often considered EMT training as a sign to refocus on work. I never envisioned riding ambulances; for me, the value lies in knowing CPR and emergency skills without the job. Scope of practice also confused me — EMTs can’t use manual defibrillators, for instance. Volunteer roles felt hard to find, though places like Hoboken and Hatzalah in NYC offer options. Ultimately, I realized I didn’t need to be a working EMT to benefit from the training.
I loved every bit of first aid instruction. The course was intense but rewarding, and I now feel confident in emergency skills. My experience showed that EMT training is accessible even for busy professionals, and the stigma around culture or fit is often overblown.
Source: Hacker News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing