978-1-4222-3398-6

stop bleeding. They also learn how to handle or move an injured person to make sure that mov- ing them doesn’t make their injuries worse. Finally, they learn and practice how to place people safely and securely onto a stretcher (called a gurney) and deliver them to the hospital quickly. Other im- portant topics include proper use of medicines, lo- cal laws about patient care, and driving instruction. Safely handling the ambulance is the first step to a successful rescue, after all! EMTs learn in the classroom from experts, and they also read books and watch videos as additional lessons. To go on their missions, they have to prepare. After they have passed the tests given at the end of their class time, they learn even more in the field. Riding in ambulances with expert para- medics, EMTs learn the important skill of working with the public. When an EMT arrives, the patient is often scared and in pain. A good EMT knows not only how to help calm down the person, but also to quickly assess the situation and make the

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