I have my EMT/Basic certification in VA right now, and am pursuing Paramedic training/certification. I want to take any and all courses available, more or less, and especially anything related to LE or Military. I recently found out about George Washington University offering a course in Tactial Medicine/Tactical EMT and am very interested in it. I'm using my Post 9/11 benefits to cover tuition, so that isn't an issue or concern. Does anybody on here have experience with this specific course, or any like it? I can't find a whole lot of information about what is covered. Also interested for any recommendations for other similar courses, especially from those who have gone through them, and can offer reviews/advice. ???
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Tactical EMT Training options?
- Thread starter kellogg2185
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Re: Tactical EMT Training options?
There are several Tac-Medic training centers that are well respected out there. TacMed Training Inc. & Tac-Med LLC are just two of the many out there. You should be able to do a search for tac medic or tactical medic training including your city or state in the search and come up with several. I know two medics that have gone to TacMed Training and both recommend it. Good luck in your quest and continuing education.
There are several Tac-Medic training centers that are well respected out there. TacMed Training Inc. & Tac-Med LLC are just two of the many out there. You should be able to do a search for tac medic or tactical medic training including your city or state in the search and come up with several. I know two medics that have gone to TacMed Training and both recommend it. Good luck in your quest and continuing education.
Re: Tactical EMT Training options?
Most, if not all, special operations medics adhere to and use as a basis the TCCC (Tactical Combat Casualty Care) guidelines as set forth by the NAEMT. Since that's the base, it would be best, if you were unable to find specific "tactical medic" courses, to learn the specificities of TCCC.
I recommend the book "Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) Military Edition)". I think a new version just came out this past week, actually.
It's a great resource/read and was recommended to me by a PJ (Air Force Pararescue Jumper) while overseas.
EDIT: What, specifically, are your goals? What are you wishing to learn about?
Most, if not all, special operations medics adhere to and use as a basis the TCCC (Tactical Combat Casualty Care) guidelines as set forth by the NAEMT. Since that's the base, it would be best, if you were unable to find specific "tactical medic" courses, to learn the specificities of TCCC.
I recommend the book "Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) Military Edition)". I think a new version just came out this past week, actually.
It's a great resource/read and was recommended to me by a PJ (Air Force Pararescue Jumper) while overseas.
EDIT: What, specifically, are your goals? What are you wishing to learn about?
Re: Tactical EMT Training options?
What are you looking for in a course? Why do you want to take them? Tactical medicine isn't any different than regular medicine other than it has a name attached to it.
What are you looking for in a course? Why do you want to take them? Tactical medicine isn't any different than regular medicine other than it has a name attached to it.
Re: Tactical EMT Training options?
I took my Tac medic program through the Federal Protective Service in Bethesda Maryland. It was a mix of LEO and FD personnel. I served with my City’s SRT for 5 years as a Tac Medic. This is my simple take. If you’re just getting into the system and you’re looking for a path to fallow with the goal being a Tactical Medic as a member of a SWAT/SRT, listen up.
First, be a shooter, be LEO. You can have the EMT also, but, go LEO. Do what you have to do and be the best shape and best officer you can. If by chance you can make it to the level of SWAT/SRT then you can work towards Tac Medic. There are no shortcuts in this. To be just a non-shooter/Tac Medic you will never be really part of the team.
I met a lot of team members from all over the country. The best, absolute best integration of that role came from the shooter side of the isle.
I took my Tac medic program through the Federal Protective Service in Bethesda Maryland. It was a mix of LEO and FD personnel. I served with my City’s SRT for 5 years as a Tac Medic. This is my simple take. If you’re just getting into the system and you’re looking for a path to fallow with the goal being a Tactical Medic as a member of a SWAT/SRT, listen up.
First, be a shooter, be LEO. You can have the EMT also, but, go LEO. Do what you have to do and be the best shape and best officer you can. If by chance you can make it to the level of SWAT/SRT then you can work towards Tac Medic. There are no shortcuts in this. To be just a non-shooter/Tac Medic you will never be really part of the team.
I met a lot of team members from all over the country. The best, absolute best integration of that role came from the shooter side of the isle.
Re: Tactical EMT Training options?
Adenosine brings up some very valid points. We have a TacMedic that is FD here. We respond to incidents that the local SRT is called to. We are always at a safe distance witht he exception of the TM who does suit up and will enter a hot zone if necessary but does not do entries. The SRT team here does not have a medic so they rely on the FD but we live in a rural area. The larger cities typically have a LE TM.
Adenosine......nice screen name! Chemical defib rocks!
Adenosine brings up some very valid points. We have a TacMedic that is FD here. We respond to incidents that the local SRT is called to. We are always at a safe distance witht he exception of the TM who does suit up and will enter a hot zone if necessary but does not do entries. The SRT team here does not have a medic so they rely on the FD but we live in a rural area. The larger cities typically have a LE TM.
Adenosine......nice screen name! Chemical defib rocks!
Re: Tactical EMT Training options?
Sorry for the delay in response to your questions, have been offline for a bit. I've got my EMT/B but kinda gettin screwed around with my school/GI Bill people not communicating with each other very well, and may be getting passed up on for my EMT/I classes for a second semester in a row. The skills associated with EMT on all levels seem to me to be a fairly perishable skill, and I'm looking for courses to take so I don't have to continually re-read my current stuff. I was leaning towards "tactical" EMT specifically because it looks tailored to LEO/military uses.
* "Tac medic program through the Federal Protective Service in Bethesda Maryland"
^ Is this something a civilian (currently) can take?
Sorry for the delay in response to your questions, have been offline for a bit. I've got my EMT/B but kinda gettin screwed around with my school/GI Bill people not communicating with each other very well, and may be getting passed up on for my EMT/I classes for a second semester in a row. The skills associated with EMT on all levels seem to me to be a fairly perishable skill, and I'm looking for courses to take so I don't have to continually re-read my current stuff. I was leaning towards "tactical" EMT specifically because it looks tailored to LEO/military uses.
* "Tac medic program through the Federal Protective Service in Bethesda Maryland"
^ Is this something a civilian (currently) can take?
Re: Tactical EMT Training options?
In our system we have Fire Department Medics who serve on our Sheriff's office SWAT Team. They are POST Certified , armed and operate as a member of the team. We were selected through the same selection process as the LEO members. The idea being that those who are charged with providing the medical care should be professionally practicing that care constantly. Further they could be taught/trained to operate in the tactical environment the team operates in more effectively than trying to take an LEO and expect him to provide medical skills that he seldom practices.
As a prerequisite to tryouts the interested medics needed at least five years of active duty experience as medics and were required to attend at least one approved Tactical Medic Course. I had taken three, one from H&K, one from Trident Concepts, and One from Weber State College. It was still a significant time frame of team training before we were deployable and another significant time frame before we could be called effective operators.
My point to you is this, you are not even close to being an effective EMS practitioner, let alone able to adapt those skills to a tactical team environment. If you have desires to be a high speed tactical medic then put your efforts into becoming a high speed medic first. Start teching in a local trauma center, trade a shit job for exposure to high end patient care etc. Don't just look for a cool class to take so you can maintain cme's.
I applaud your interest and encourage you to pursue it. But focus very hard on learning to crawl and walk before running.
Good luck.
In our system we have Fire Department Medics who serve on our Sheriff's office SWAT Team. They are POST Certified , armed and operate as a member of the team. We were selected through the same selection process as the LEO members. The idea being that those who are charged with providing the medical care should be professionally practicing that care constantly. Further they could be taught/trained to operate in the tactical environment the team operates in more effectively than trying to take an LEO and expect him to provide medical skills that he seldom practices.
As a prerequisite to tryouts the interested medics needed at least five years of active duty experience as medics and were required to attend at least one approved Tactical Medic Course. I had taken three, one from H&K, one from Trident Concepts, and One from Weber State College. It was still a significant time frame of team training before we were deployable and another significant time frame before we could be called effective operators.
My point to you is this, you are not even close to being an effective EMS practitioner, let alone able to adapt those skills to a tactical team environment. If you have desires to be a high speed tactical medic then put your efforts into becoming a high speed medic first. Start teching in a local trauma center, trade a shit job for exposure to high end patient care etc. Don't just look for a cool class to take so you can maintain cme's.
I applaud your interest and encourage you to pursue it. But focus very hard on learning to crawl and walk before running.
Good luck.
Re: Tactical EMT Training options?
Smokshwn: I very much realize my being as green as they come, and I've offered to volunteer at iNova in Va. as an ER tech, but not much luck so far. Not sure how much emergency medicine is actually practiced at the tech level either way, as most has been done already by the responding medics. Now I'm leaning towards joining a local volunteer fire department. Right now I'm just looking for future training possibilities, as I'd completely stumbled upon GWU's Tactical EMS program, very surprised that a school like that would offer anything "tactical" at all. Thanks for all the advice/pointers guys.
Smokshwn: I very much realize my being as green as they come, and I've offered to volunteer at iNova in Va. as an ER tech, but not much luck so far. Not sure how much emergency medicine is actually practiced at the tech level either way, as most has been done already by the responding medics. Now I'm leaning towards joining a local volunteer fire department. Right now I'm just looking for future training possibilities, as I'd completely stumbled upon GWU's Tactical EMS program, very surprised that a school like that would offer anything "tactical" at all. Thanks for all the advice/pointers guys.
Re: Tactical EMT Training options?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kellogg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Smokshwn: I very much realize my being as green as they come, and I've offered to volunteer at iNova in Va. as an ER tech, but not much luck so far. Not sure how much emergency medicine is actually practiced at the tech level either way, as most has been done already by the responding medics.</div></div>
Actually there is still quite a bit of emergency medicine to be practiced. That's kind of the idea of the medics bringing them to all those emergency rooms you see. If their scope of practice invovlved definitive care there would be no need to transport the patient to a hospital. As to how much of that care you would actually be providing, it can vary with the facility. However, your exposure to that care, access to experienced providers, and the broader scope of knowledge that you will have access to will prove invalueable to your future skillset.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kellogg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Smokshwn: I very much realize my being as green as they come, and I've offered to volunteer at iNova in Va. as an ER tech, but not much luck so far. Not sure how much emergency medicine is actually practiced at the tech level either way, as most has been done already by the responding medics.</div></div>
Actually there is still quite a bit of emergency medicine to be practiced. That's kind of the idea of the medics bringing them to all those emergency rooms you see. If their scope of practice invovlved definitive care there would be no need to transport the patient to a hospital. As to how much of that care you would actually be providing, it can vary with the facility. However, your exposure to that care, access to experienced providers, and the broader scope of knowledge that you will have access to will prove invalueable to your future skillset.
Re: Tactical EMT Training options?
If there is a way you can swing it and afford it I would reccomend trying to get into one of the courses provided by DMI. Not sure if linking is ok, if not plese delete link
http://www.deploymentmedicine.com/courses_DMOC.html
I have gone through a few courses from them paid for by USMC. They follow TCCC guidlines. If you want message me with any questions and I will be more than happy to answer them for you.
If there is a way you can swing it and afford it I would reccomend trying to get into one of the courses provided by DMI. Not sure if linking is ok, if not plese delete link
http://www.deploymentmedicine.com/courses_DMOC.html
I have gone through a few courses from them paid for by USMC. They follow TCCC guidlines. If you want message me with any questions and I will be more than happy to answer them for you.
Re: Tactical EMT Training options?
One thing about DMI is that they don't teach courses for just anyone. Doesn't hurt to ask but they are focused on teaching the military and other agencies that deploy overseas. That is what the classes are geared too.
Tactical Medicine is overused word. There is nothing really tactical about medicine in the states. There is medicine in a operational environment and what that means is where you don't have immediate access to a hospital. That is where there is a huge difference between what a civilian medic is going to do versus a medic in a operational environment. A medic going in with an entry team in a US city isn't going to treat an injury any different than he would if he was called on scene to a gunshot wound while riding in an ambulance.
Hanging out in an ER will probably give you more valuable experience than going to some classroom environment.
One thing about DMI is that they don't teach courses for just anyone. Doesn't hurt to ask but they are focused on teaching the military and other agencies that deploy overseas. That is what the classes are geared too.
Tactical Medicine is overused word. There is nothing really tactical about medicine in the states. There is medicine in a operational environment and what that means is where you don't have immediate access to a hospital. That is where there is a huge difference between what a civilian medic is going to do versus a medic in a operational environment. A medic going in with an entry team in a US city isn't going to treat an injury any different than he would if he was called on scene to a gunshot wound while riding in an ambulance.
Hanging out in an ER will probably give you more valuable experience than going to some classroom environment.
Re: Tactical EMT Training options?
That sounds a lot like our program where we have ER Doctors/Trauma Surgeons accompany us on our operations whether it be a barricaded person, hostage rescue or warrant. They generally stay in a warm zone and if one of us go down, we have tactical medics that can work on the casualty prior to bringing them to the docs or if it is viable, we bring them to the casualty. They suit up in heavy gear like everyone else and load up in our vehicles like everyone else and even became reserve officers recently. One of our docs is actually from DC.
Has it been beneficial? Absolutely, we have had occasions where we needed them right away. Most recently one of our LT's took a round to the neck, bounced off his spine and severed an artery. They clamped the artery, opened the trachea for an airway etc.
That sounds a lot like our program where we have ER Doctors/Trauma Surgeons accompany us on our operations whether it be a barricaded person, hostage rescue or warrant. They generally stay in a warm zone and if one of us go down, we have tactical medics that can work on the casualty prior to bringing them to the docs or if it is viable, we bring them to the casualty. They suit up in heavy gear like everyone else and load up in our vehicles like everyone else and even became reserve officers recently. One of our docs is actually from DC.
Has it been beneficial? Absolutely, we have had occasions where we needed them right away. Most recently one of our LT's took a round to the neck, bounced off his spine and severed an artery. They clamped the artery, opened the trachea for an airway etc.
Re: Tactical EMT Training options?
Wellwether it is in the desert, active shooter, or barricaded suspect I think there are two things that will always apply
1. Stop massive bleeds at any cost. (Direct Pressure, Direct Pressure, Dirrect Pressure!)
2. Good medice can be bad tactics.
Those are the two things that get drove home during the DMI course.
Wellwether it is in the desert, active shooter, or barricaded suspect I think there are two things that will always apply
1. Stop massive bleeds at any cost. (Direct Pressure, Direct Pressure, Dirrect Pressure!)
2. Good medice can be bad tactics.
Those are the two things that get drove home during the DMI course.
Re: Tactical EMT Training options?
You need to work on being a VERY proficient paramedic before you advance into the tactical element.You also need to be able to provide care as easy as you tie your shoe with the thought process always being progressive medical or trauma related.I would recommend taking PHTLS "kinda boring but a good review",basic SWAT school and CONTOMS just starting.If you are attatched to a SWAT or SRT unit they are the ones that you will and need to do your tactial training with.I think alot of these tac-med or whatever classes are hyped up ,i dont need someone to teach me how to be a medic and i do my tactial training with my team.My team members are the ones i will operate with, not a tac-med class 500 miles away.I was in ems for 9 years and a emt-p for 6 years before my SWAT commander and I established a tactial position for the Sheriff's office here.Its alot different than most people think,its not just shooting and tactics .You will need to meet the same standards/requirements as the man in front and behind you.You need to be able to form risk assessments,know every health issue and history of every operator,be in great physical condition and be able to provide quility care under great stress and fatigue meantal/physical.You must be able to provied care other than trauma example:a Pt. with cardiac,diabetic or other medical issues in the hot zone that cant be safely removed.There will also come a time that you have to deal with the fact that you are there to support the team and not play hero,your primary role is to support the team to neutralize the threat.If you have time to aid or extricate secondary victims great, if not you will have to move on.There are alot of teams out there that are unarmed and just "stand by" that kinda defeats the purpose of having a medic/operator IMO.
You need to work on being a VERY proficient paramedic before you advance into the tactical element.You also need to be able to provide care as easy as you tie your shoe with the thought process always being progressive medical or trauma related.I would recommend taking PHTLS "kinda boring but a good review",basic SWAT school and CONTOMS just starting.If you are attatched to a SWAT or SRT unit they are the ones that you will and need to do your tactial training with.I think alot of these tac-med or whatever classes are hyped up ,i dont need someone to teach me how to be a medic and i do my tactial training with my team.My team members are the ones i will operate with, not a tac-med class 500 miles away.I was in ems for 9 years and a emt-p for 6 years before my SWAT commander and I established a tactial position for the Sheriff's office here.Its alot different than most people think,its not just shooting and tactics .You will need to meet the same standards/requirements as the man in front and behind you.You need to be able to form risk assessments,know every health issue and history of every operator,be in great physical condition and be able to provide quility care under great stress and fatigue meantal/physical.You must be able to provied care other than trauma example:a Pt. with cardiac,diabetic or other medical issues in the hot zone that cant be safely removed.There will also come a time that you have to deal with the fact that you are there to support the team and not play hero,your primary role is to support the team to neutralize the threat.If you have time to aid or extricate secondary victims great, if not you will have to move on.There are alot of teams out there that are unarmed and just "stand by" that kinda defeats the purpose of having a medic/operator IMO.
Re: Tactical EMT Training options?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MedicGordo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You need to work on being a VERY proficient paramedic before you advance into the tactical element.You also need to be able to provide care as easy as you tie your shoe with the thought process always being progressive medical or trauma related.I would recommend taking PHTLS "kinda boring but a good review",basic SWAT school and CONTOMS just starting.If you are attatched to a SWAT or SRT unit they are the ones that you will and need to do your tactial training with.I think alot of these tac-med or whatever classes are hyped up ,i dont need someone to teach me how to be a medic and i do my tactial training with my team.My team members are the ones i will operate with, not a tac-med class 500 miles away.I was in ems for 9 years and a emt-p for 6 years before my SWAT commander and I established a tactial position for the Sheriff's office here.Its alot different than most people think,its not just shooting and tactics .You will need to meet the same standards/requirements as the man in front and behind you.You need to be able to form risk assessments,know every health issue and history of every operator,be in great physical condition and be able to provide quility care under great stress and fatigue meantal/physical.You must be able to provied care other than trauma example:a Pt. with cardiac,diabetic or other medical issues in the hot zone that cant be safely removed.There will also come a time that you have to deal with the fact that you are there to support the team and not play hero,your primary role is to support the team to neutralize the threat.If you have time to aid or extricate secondary victims great, if not you will have to move on.There are alot of teams out there that are unarmed and just "stand by" that kinda defeats the purpose of having a medic/operator IMO. </div></div>
Very well said. I guess it isa little different on the civilian side. On the military side there are a lot of conditions that we willnot have to deal with, i.e. the Diabetic scenario.
But I will disagree with the comment on being a very good paramedic. I previously had slim to no medical training prior to my DMI course. After going through two of those course and a few TCCC/CLS courses the level of tactical medical care I can provide is on par with that of trained Corpsman. Short of administering narcotics there isnt much more that a trained medic will be able to do that I cant. That is in a tactical/combat setting.
But for those in a Civilian/tactical setting there are a lot of other variables that you will encounter. I dont want you (MedicGordo) to think I am trying to discredit you or your comments just giving a comment from a different perspective.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MedicGordo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You need to work on being a VERY proficient paramedic before you advance into the tactical element.You also need to be able to provide care as easy as you tie your shoe with the thought process always being progressive medical or trauma related.I would recommend taking PHTLS "kinda boring but a good review",basic SWAT school and CONTOMS just starting.If you are attatched to a SWAT or SRT unit they are the ones that you will and need to do your tactial training with.I think alot of these tac-med or whatever classes are hyped up ,i dont need someone to teach me how to be a medic and i do my tactial training with my team.My team members are the ones i will operate with, not a tac-med class 500 miles away.I was in ems for 9 years and a emt-p for 6 years before my SWAT commander and I established a tactial position for the Sheriff's office here.Its alot different than most people think,its not just shooting and tactics .You will need to meet the same standards/requirements as the man in front and behind you.You need to be able to form risk assessments,know every health issue and history of every operator,be in great physical condition and be able to provide quility care under great stress and fatigue meantal/physical.You must be able to provied care other than trauma example:a Pt. with cardiac,diabetic or other medical issues in the hot zone that cant be safely removed.There will also come a time that you have to deal with the fact that you are there to support the team and not play hero,your primary role is to support the team to neutralize the threat.If you have time to aid or extricate secondary victims great, if not you will have to move on.There are alot of teams out there that are unarmed and just "stand by" that kinda defeats the purpose of having a medic/operator IMO. </div></div>
Very well said. I guess it isa little different on the civilian side. On the military side there are a lot of conditions that we willnot have to deal with, i.e. the Diabetic scenario.
But I will disagree with the comment on being a very good paramedic. I previously had slim to no medical training prior to my DMI course. After going through two of those course and a few TCCC/CLS courses the level of tactical medical care I can provide is on par with that of trained Corpsman. Short of administering narcotics there isnt much more that a trained medic will be able to do that I cant. That is in a tactical/combat setting.
But for those in a Civilian/tactical setting there are a lot of other variables that you will encounter. I dont want you (MedicGordo) to think I am trying to discredit you or your comments just giving a comment from a different perspective.
Re: Tactical EMT Training options?
I get what you are saying "boom" but I didnt say a very "good" I said " proficient".Military and civilian medics are two different worlds.What I was refering to is that a civilian EMT-P needs to be well versed in dealing with a trauma Pt.before entering into the tactial setting.The tactial setting is no place to learn or preform traumatic related intubations or needle decompression or manage gun shot realted ALS skills"pratice manikins dont cut it".Its something that you dont see often as a civilian medic vs. a Military medic.Im sure as a Military operator its something that is seen often so the learning curve is faster.Hope that kinda makes more sense.
I get what you are saying "boom" but I didnt say a very "good" I said " proficient".Military and civilian medics are two different worlds.What I was refering to is that a civilian EMT-P needs to be well versed in dealing with a trauma Pt.before entering into the tactial setting.The tactial setting is no place to learn or preform traumatic related intubations or needle decompression or manage gun shot realted ALS skills"pratice manikins dont cut it".Its something that you dont see often as a civilian medic vs. a Military medic.Im sure as a Military operator its something that is seen often so the learning curve is faster.Hope that kinda makes more sense.
Re: Tactical EMT Training options?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MedicGordo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I get what you are saying "boom" but I didnt say a very "good" I said " proficient".Military and civilian medics are two different worlds.What I was refering to is that a civilian EMT-P needs to be well versed in dealing with a trauma Pt.before entering into the tactial setting.The tactial setting is no place to learn or preform traumatic related intubations or needle decompression or manage gun shot realted ALS skills"pratice manikins dont cut it".Its something that you dont see often as a civilian medic vs. a Military medic.Im sure as a Military operator its something that is seen often so the learning curve is faster.Hope that kinda makes more sense. </div></div>
Completely agree bro. I think anyone that wants to get into or is in tactical medice should do some live trauma training. That completely opened my eyes. If I couldnt do EOD I would probably cross deck into the Navy as a SARC or Army as an 18D.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MedicGordo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I get what you are saying "boom" but I didnt say a very "good" I said " proficient".Military and civilian medics are two different worlds.What I was refering to is that a civilian EMT-P needs to be well versed in dealing with a trauma Pt.before entering into the tactial setting.The tactial setting is no place to learn or preform traumatic related intubations or needle decompression or manage gun shot realted ALS skills"pratice manikins dont cut it".Its something that you dont see often as a civilian medic vs. a Military medic.Im sure as a Military operator its something that is seen often so the learning curve is faster.Hope that kinda makes more sense. </div></div>
Completely agree bro. I think anyone that wants to get into or is in tactical medice should do some live trauma training. That completely opened my eyes. If I couldnt do EOD I would probably cross deck into the Navy as a SARC or Army as an 18D.
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