Medical Programs

[Bluchip]

Hey guys how are you, I just recently joined CAP and so far I'm loving every minute of it, I can see now what amazing leadership skills and life skills you can gain from being in CAP. In the future I plan on either being a civilian medical doctor, or possibly a doctor through the Air Force. My question is, are there any programs that will expose me to helping other cadets with safety or injuries that I can possible put on my transcripts? Volunteer service and helping others has always been a passion of mine and I would really love to know if I could persue that passion through CAP. Then possibly take my experiences to help get into a a medical program in college. Thank you.

[RiverAux]

I'm sorry to tell you that within CAP opportunities to earn and/or use anything more than a basic first aid class are probably going to be extremely limited, if not non-existent. 

[Bluchip]

Field Medic Program

Just as the Ranger Program was started, a need was apparent for medical training. However, for the first seven years of the Ranger program, all medical support was provided by Air Force personnel.
Beginning in 1960, Dr. William E.B. Hall of Allentown, Pennsylvania began providing for most of the health care needs of Pennsylvania Wing CAP, and consequently HMRS as well. As a CAP Lieutenant Colonel, Dr Hall commanded the PA Wing Hospital Squadron 3102, consisting of professional nurses, doctors, and other qualified medical personnel.
In the early 1970s, Lieutenant Don Kliptein recognized that many of the cadets coming to the school already had extensive medical backgrounds, but no ranger experience. In 1971, Lt Kliptein began training Cadets to assist Sq 3102 in providing medical assistance to other cadets. Cadet medics helping injured cadets quickly improved the overall atmosphere of the cadet program, leading to the introduction of the first dedicated medical course in 1973. This new course was structured to tie in directly with the Ranger program. Medic trainees would accompany Ranger trainees during the Field Training Exercise portion of Summer Schools, combining both Ranger experience with Medical training.[11]

Medic advancement
Field Medics have completed the basic Field Medic course, and hold certification in Adult CPR and Wilderness First Aid.[11]
Field Medic 1st Class is the typical medic assigned to a Ranger team. In addition to CPR and Wilderness First Aid, they have First Responder or Professional Rescuer qualifications. They have also completed the advanced field medic course.[11]
Senior Medics are Operational medical specialists. Although qualified to assist ground teams, Senior Medics typically support base operations or even multi-agency mission bases. Senior Medics must be at least 18 years of age, hold EMT-B qualifications or higher, and be well versed in several areas of advanced medical care. Senior Medics are awarded Red Scarves to wear with their uniform.[11]
Master Medic represent the leadership of the Medic Program, and are similar to Expert Rangers. They typically hold instructor ratings in multiple medical fields. In addition to the Red Scarf, Master Medics are awarded a Red Pistol belt. Only 21 people have become Master Medics since 1972.[11]



This is all I know about the medic programs, just curious if there are anymore?

[Spaceman3750]

Oh boy...

[Eclipse]

The information you are citing is incredibly dated - there are no wings providing medical care to any members, nor are there any nationally recognized "medic" or "ranger" programs.  What you are looking at in PAWG are adventure activities, sanctioned as such, but not part of the National Emergency Services Curriculum of CAP.

As Space River said, anything past "Community Level First Aid" is nice to know, but won't be used in a CAP context.

The Prime Directive of all CAP activities is "dial 9-1-1" any time emergency care is needed.

...are there any programs that will expose me to helping other cadets with safety or injuries that I can possible put on my transcripts?

You could pursue the Safety Officer specialty track, and Mission Safety Officer ES qualification.

[arajca]

1. That is a specific progam that has no real application in CAP in general. Outside of HMRS, we spend an inordinate amount of time correcting the ranger attitude and sense of privilege far too many of the graduates come out with.

2. CAP regs prohibit ANY routine medical treatment. The only treatment permitted under CAP regs is immediate care to save a life.

3. As far as using CAP training on your transcripts, no. The level of any of our medical training does meet any certifying agency's requirements.

[JC004]

Since CAP ONLY allows emergency care and that doesn't pop up every day like being an EMT in a fire department or something, perhaps the best thing you could do is help out in the Health Services program - assist a CAP medical officer/nurse officer/Health Service Officer in administering the limited program that CAP has.  This would mostly focus on preparation/training/member education.  If you want medical things to add, an EMT job or volunteer program like a fire department might help.

[Spaceman3750]

The information you are citing is incredibly dated - there are no wings providing medical care to any members, nor are there any nationally recognized "medic" or "ranger" programs.  What you are looking at in PAWG are adventure activities, sanctioned as such, but not part of the National Emergency Services Curriculum of CAP.

As Space said, anything past "Community Level First Aid" is nice to know, but won't be used in a CAP context.

The Prime Directive of all CAP activities is "dial 9-1-1" any time emergency care is needed.

I don't know where or when I said that, but it is true, mostly... I am a big fan of the ARC WRFA class because it teaches assessment skills that can be used to help you make better decisions and provide better info to EMS at the scene of an emergency.

You can provide EMERGENCY care up to your certification (also known as oh crap scenarios), but we don't have a medic program and pretty much anything more than a basic owie is going to result in a call to 911 or a trip to a medical facility.

Go become a first aid/CPR instructor with whatever org your wing has a provider agreement with then give classes to CAP members on the cheap. That would be really, really useful.

[Bluchip]

Thanks for the advise.

[Eclipse]

I don't know where or when I said that,

Sorry, it was River - you just sat back and waited.

[sarmed1]

1. That is a specific progam that has no real application in CAP in general. Outside of HMRS, we spend an inordinate amount of time correcting the ranger attitude and sense of privilege far too many of the graduates come out with.

.....

Couldnt resist could you?

The OP asked about medical training/medic programs and experience available thru CAP,  There were plenty of posts already detailing that CAP as a whole does not provide much of an oppurtunity more than Emergency First Aid. There was never any question or need to go down the ranger'tude path.
Basic medical training is what the HMRS program actually provides.....CPR & Wilderness Advanced First Aid, with First Responder as a follow on.  Not to mention a decent exposure to other aspects of the world of medical carrers including face to face interaction with proffesionals from every variation of specialty in the field. If you have questions about career options/paths and the what I need to do to "get in" type of advice; there is likely someone there who has that information.    The networking potential and the number of doors that may open up is in itself a huge advantage (even if its for outside of CAP Benefit).  There have been a rather large number of former cadets that are now, MD's, RN's Paramedics and EMT's, both military and civilian that got their start in HMRS's Medic Program.

mk

[JayT]

Hey guys how are you, I just recently joined CAP and so far I'm loving every minute of it, I can see now what amazing leadership skills and life skills you can gain from being in CAP. In the future I plan on either being a civilian medical doctor, or possibly a doctor through the Air Force. My question is, are there any programs that will expose me to helping other cadets with safety or injuries that I can possible put on my transcripts? Volunteer service and helping others has always been a passion of mine and I would really love to know if I could persue that passion through CAP. Then possibly take my experiences to help get into a a medical program in college. Thank you.

Join your local VFD or VAC and become an CFR-D or EMT-B.

[DakRadz]

Hey guys how are you, I just recently joined CAP and so far I'm loving every minute of it, I can see now what amazing leadership skills and life skills you can gain from being in CAP. In the future I plan on either being a civilian medical doctor, or possibly a doctor through the Air Force. My question is, are there any programs that will expose me to helping other cadets with safety or injuries that I can possible put on my transcripts? Volunteer service and helping others has always been a passion of mine and I would really love to know if I could persue that passion through CAP. Then possibly take my experiences to help get into a a medical program in college. Thank you.

Join your local VFD or VAC and become an CFR-D or EMT-B.

This.

Depending on your state CFR-D is called different things, but means First Responder. Research it a bit. (I only say that because here in Ohio it's EMR. Many states simply label them First Responders.)

Regardless, it's a good start. Many nurses and even a doctor that I know all either started with these training levels or even had to get them as part of their job (CareFlight requires that the medical personnel be both EMT-P and a nurse). And that's just people I know personally, there are many out there who started as FR or EMTs.

[Bluchip]

Do you think I would be able to do this as a 15 year old in 10th grade, or is there a higher age requirement usually?

[Eclipse]

Do you think I would be able to do this as a 15 year old in 10th grade, or is there a higher age requirement usually?

NESA is open to you at 15, as is HMRS, whether you can participate in the other programs, and what, if any, state certifications
you can attain will depend on the organization and state.

[John Bryan]

They are correct CAP has nothing really.....try the Sea Cadets....they offer MEDICAL TRAINING (GENERAL, FIELD, SURGICAL & DENTAL TECH)


http://www.seacadets.org/public/programs/nscc/
http://compass.seacadets.org/training/summer11/newtraining.htm

Also the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine
http://www.nylf.org/med/


Good Luck!!!

[JayT]

Do you think I would be able to do this as a 15 year old in 10th grade, or is there a higher age requirement usually?

Some states may let you qualify as a first responder at 16 (average is about 40-60 hours of training.) You have to be 18 to be an EMT. Whether you'll be able to find an agency who'll let you function as a 16 year old first responder is a different story.  CAP simply is not the proper enviroment if you want to get into medicine.

Honestly through, you never know where it ends up. I took my original EMT class because of CAP, and five years later I'm a dangerously new paramedic making a decent living. So you never know how things work out.

[sarmed1]

You have to check not just your state law regarding certification but check the local volunterr agencies.....

For Example,  in Pensylvania:  State certification as First Responder requires you to be 16.  ARC and ECSI's first responder requirements have no age stipulation.  The state also says you can be an EMT at age 16, in many programs you can actually take the class under 16, but must wait until your 16th birthday to take the writtne test.

State Labor laws say you can be a member of a volunteer fire department or rescue/ambulance squad at 14.  There are different job/tasks and hour limitations between 14-15 and 16-17 yeaqr olds.  One Department near by will not take junior members under 16, our department will take them at 14.  My ambualnce company though 99% paid is still technically a volunteer non profit and has a youth program for 14-17 year olds....

mk

[Spaceman3750]

You have to check not just your state law regarding certification but check the local volunterr agencies.....

For Example,  in Pensylvania:  State certification as First Responder requires you to be 16.  ARC and ECSI's first responder requirements have no age stipulation.  The state also says you can be an EMT at age 16, in many programs you can actually take the class under 16, but must wait until your 16th birthday to take the writtne test.

State Labor laws say you can be a member of a volunteer fire department or rescue/ambulance squad at 14.  There are different job/tasks and hour limitations between 14-15 and 16-17 yeaqr olds.  One Department near by will not take junior members under 16, our department will take them at 14.  My ambualnce company though 99% paid is still technically a volunteer non profit and has a youth program for 14-17 year olds....

mk

When I was a kid Disney Channel ran a fictional series about teenagers in a smallish town who ran an ambulance because the town was short on personnel... Or something like that. Any truth to that idea?

[PHall]

You have to check not just your state law regarding certification but check the local volunterr agencies.....

For Example,  in Pensylvania:  State certification as First Responder requires you to be 16.  ARC and ECSI's first responder requirements have no age stipulation.  The state also says you can be an EMT at age 16, in many programs you can actually take the class under 16, but must wait until your 16th birthday to take the writtne test.

State Labor laws say you can be a member of a volunteer fire department or rescue/ambulance squad at 14.  There are different job/tasks and hour limitations between 14-15 and 16-17 yeaqr olds.  One Department near by will not take junior members under 16, our department will take them at 14.  My ambualnce company though 99% paid is still technically a volunteer non profit and has a youth program for 14-17 year olds....

mk

When I was a kid Disney Channel ran a fictional series about teenagers in a smallish town who ran an ambulance because the town was short on personnel... Or something like that. Any truth to that idea?

You answered your own question.  Disney Channel...