I'm an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) whose main job is software engineering. I delayed getting my license for years despite being interested in medicine. In 2024, I finally took a month off and completed my EMT training through NOLS Wilderness EMT.
The biggest practical barrier was time. My accelerated class took 28 consecutive days, which I could only manage because Microsoft switched to unlimited vacation, my boss was supportive, and I had money to fly to Wyoming for the course. Being a good EMT also requires taking calls on an ambulance, ideally more than the typical "1 weekend a month" minimum.
Cultural concerns were another major factor. I had an awful experience with first responders years after college, which delayed me further. Many EMS services are incredibly fratty, and women often face challenges. Burnout is common across the field.
Other reasons included fear of not fitting in with students or colleagues, wanting to focus on my tech career, not wanting to work on ambulances, and confusion about the scope of practice. Finding volunteer positions can be difficult in big cities, though places like Hoboken have volunteer EMS. Overall, the training itself was rewarding and taught valuable skills like CPR and oxygen administration.
Source: Hacker News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing