[kaylee2710]

Originally Posted by MDEMT280

Scope of practice. An EMT (more accurately, an EMT-Basic) is a basic life support provider. They receive training in basic skills like splinting, bleeding control, etc. They're allowed to give a few medications, and maintain airways with less invasive methods.

A paramedic (EMT-Paramedic) is an advanced life support (ALS) provider. They have a much larger list of allowed medications, can perform more invasive procedures, can do EKG interpretation, etc.

Of course, states will vary in what they allow. Some allow an EMT-B to start IVs and intubate, some don't. Generally, though, you're looking at the difference between 150-200 hours of training for an EMT-B to 1,500-2,000 hours for an EMT-P.

Who drives? If it's an ALS call, and there's one ALS provider, then that provider is with the patient and the other person drives. If it's a BLS call, or if it's an ALS call with two ALS providers... Flip for it. Seniority. You drive the first half of the shift, I drive the second half. I'm in a cranky mood today, so you deal with the patient and I drive. I don't like city traffic, so you drive. You drive like an idiot, so I'm driving. I'm new, so I want to work on my patient care, you can drive. ... It can be determined one of many ways, the key is coordination and communication with your partner.

+1... That's pretty much how my partner and I did it. Most often it depends on how your relationship is with your partner. Depending on who I was working with I either always drove or always "teched" there was really no switching for some reason.