Preparing for Your First EMS Ride-Along
Your ambulance ride-along is where classroom knowledge meets real patient care. Proper preparation helps you make the most of every shift and leaves a positive impression on the crew. Many EMS professionals who serve as preceptors form opinions about students within the first 30 minutes, so showing up prepared and professional matters.
Before Your Shift
Contact the station or scheduling coordinator at least 24 hours before your ride-along to confirm the time, location, and any special requirements. Review the agency's protocols, especially if they differ from what you learned in class. Pack your clinical bag the night before with these essentials:
- Stethoscope, penlight, and watch with a second hand
- Notepad and pen for documenting patient contacts
- Clinical rotation paperwork and evaluation forms
- Snacks and water for longer shifts
- Appropriate uniform: dark pants, EMS boots, and your program polo or t-shirt
- Personal PPE: safety glasses, exam gloves in your size
During the Ride-Along
Arrive 15 minutes early and introduce yourself to every crew member. Ask for a tour of the ambulance and familiarize yourself with equipment locations. Offer to help with daily checks including oxygen tank levels, suction readiness, medication expiration dates, and monitor functionality.
On calls, follow your preceptor's lead. Ask before performing any assessment or intervention. When you do perform patient care, talk through your thought process out loud so your preceptor can correct your reasoning in real time. After each call, ask for feedback while the details are fresh.
Clinical Documentation Tips
Keep detailed notes for each patient contact. Record the chief complaint, your assessment findings, interventions performed (and by whom), and the patient's response to treatment. These notes will be invaluable when completing your required patient contact logs and will help you study for the NREMT by connecting textbook concepts to real clinical scenarios.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not use your phone during downtime unless it is for studying. Do not talk negatively about patients, other agencies, or your EMS program. Do not attempt skills beyond your scope or training level without direct supervision. And never refuse a patient contact opportunity, even if the call seems routine. A "simple" transport can teach you as much about patient communication and documentation as a high-acuity emergency.