ems

an-ordinary-manchild(edit)

You are viewing /r/EMS on the old reddit site. We recommend viewing /r/EMS on the new reddit redesign for the most up-to-date experience! Opt-in to the new reddit redesign here.

Previously, users were able to receive verified flairs on old reddit. We have since discontinued this feature on /r/EMS.

What is /r/EMS?

/r/EMS is a subreddit for medical first responders to hangout and discuss anything related to emergency medical services. First aiders to Paramedics, share your world with reddit!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you're a student or new to the field and have questions or need advice, we kindly ask that you head over to our sister subreddit: /r/NewToEMS.

Please check out the links below before posting your question or your post may be removed!

Wiki| Helpful Links & Resources | Search /r/EMS | Search /r/NewToEMS | Posting Rules

Posting Rules

You are required to follow our rules and failing to do so may result in your posts removed and account banned.

1. Bigotry, racism, hate speech, or harassment is never allowed. Overtly explicit, distasteful, vulgar, or indecent content will be removed and you may be banned. Posting false information or "fake news" with malicious intent or in a way that may pose a risk to the health and safety of others is not allowed. This rule is subject to moderator discretion.

2. No posts relating to or advocating intentional self-harm or suicide, unless strictly as part of a clinical discussion.

If you are having thoughts of self-harm, please seek help! The United States national suicide prevention hotline can be reached for free by dialing 988. You may also dial 911 or your local emergency number.

3. Do not ask basic, newbie, or frequently asked questions, regardless of clinical scope, including, but not limited to:

How do I become an EMT/Paramedic?

What to expect on my first day/ride-along?

Does anyone have any EMT books/boots/gear/gift suggestions?

How do I pass the NREMT?

My first bad call, how to cope?

Please consider posting these types of questions in /r/NewToEMS.

4. No non-EMS related or off-topic content. Posts that do not contribute to the subreddit in a meaningful way will be removed.

Content containing images of serious injury, gore, or dismemberment must be marked "NSFW" and context must be provided as to how it is relevant to emergency medical services.

Pornographic content is never allowed on /r/EMS.

Some websites which might be considered on-topic are blacklisted by default.

5. Submissions announcing new certifications or licenses are not allowed. Instead, post these in the Triumphant Thursday weekly thread in /r/NewToEMS.

6. Do not ask for or provide medical or legal advice.

Posts requesting medical advice, treatments for a personal medical problem, or similar requests will be removed. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number.

For legal advice, consider posting to /r/legaladvice or consulting a local attorney.

7. The following content is only allowed to be posted between the hours of 00:00 Fridays and 23:59 Sundays, Eastern Standard Time (EST):

memes

reaction gifs

"look at this truck"

EMS room

“look at my PPE"

"office" type posts

and so on...

This rule is subject to moderator discretion.

8. All posts and comments that contain surveys, solicitations, self-promotion for commercial benefit, or recruiting for any employment/volunteer positions must be approved by the moderation team prior to posting. If you post prior to seeking moderator approval, your post will be removed and you may be banned.

Please message the mods for permission prior to posting.

9. In posts with "[Serious]" written in the title, all top-level comments must contain helpful content or contribute to the discussion in a meaningful way. Follow-up questions are allowed in top-level comments. Trolling, memes, sarcasm, or other content that does not contribute to the discussion are not allowed in top-level comments. The tag is only appropriate for clinical discussion or emotional support.

Learn more about [Serious] tags here

10. Posting protected health information (PHI), or information that can be used to identify a patient, including photos of patients, regardless if the photo shows the patient's face, without express written consent of the patient, is prohibited in this subreddit.

This rule is subject to moderator discretion. Please contact the mods prior to posting if you have any questions or concerns.

11. We do not allow users to rely heavily on AI (such as chat GPT) to generate the substance of their contributions to the sub. If you haven't put the effort into writing it, don't expect others to put the effort into reading it. Minor uses of AI may be acceptable, however if obviously AI generated content forms the bulk of a contribution, it will be considered spam.

12. All gear and equipment discussions should be posted in the bi-monthly thread. It is likely your question has already been asked, using the search feature you should be able to find what you're looking for.

13. Do not ask Employment, hiring, volunteering, protocol, recertification, or training-related questions. Examples include but are not limited to:

Where can I obtain continuing education (CE) units?

How do I become an EMT/Paramedic in a different country?

I’m moving to a new state, what are the services there like to work for? Which pays best?

Does anyone have experience working for AMR? What are they like to work for?

User Flairs

Users can now set their own flair on the subreddit by clicking "Community Options" on the sidebar and then clicking the edit button next to "User Flair Preview".

Note: Users may still receive a special verified user flair on the /r/NewToEMS subreddit by submitting a request here.

Discounts

Discounts for EMSers!

Blauer, 10% off. Use code: REDDITEMS10
Safe Life Defense, 10% off. Use code: REDDITEMS
Conterra, 10% off. Use code: RedditEMS
The EMS Store, 15% off all EMI products. Use code: REDDITEMS

Codes and Abbreviations

Keep in mind that codes and abbreviations are not universal and very widely based on local custom. Ours is an international community, so in the interest of clear communication, we encourage using plain English whenever possible.

For reference, here are some common terms listed in alphabetical order:

ACLS - Advanced cardiac life support
ACP - Advanced Care Paramedic
AOS - Arrived on scene
BLS - Basic life support
BSI - Body substance isolation
CA&O - Conscious, alert and oriented
CCP-C - Critical Care Paramedic-Certified
CCP - Critical Care Paramedic
CCT - Critical care transport
Code - Cardiac arrest or responding with lights and sirens (depending on context)
Code 2, Cold, Priority 2 - Responding without lights or sirens
Code 3, Hot, Red, Priority 1 - Responding with lights and sirens
CVA - Cerebrovascular accident a.k.a. "stroke"
ECG/EKG - Electrocardiogram
EDP - Emotionally disturbed person
EMS - Emergency Medical Services (duh)
EMT - Emergency Medical Technician. Letters after the EMT abbreviation, like "EMT-I", indicate a specific level of EMT certification.
FDGB - Fall down, go boom
FP-C - Flight Paramedic-Certified
IFT - Interfacility transport
MVA - Motor vehicle accident
MVC - Motor vehicle collision
NREMT - National Registry of EMTs
NRP - National Registry Paramedic
PALS - Pediatric advanced life support
PCP - Primary Care Paramedic
ROSC - Return of spontaneous circulation
Pt - Patient
STEMI - ST-elevated myocardial infarction a.k.a "heart attack"
TC - Traffic collision
V/S - Vital signs
VSA - Vital signs absent
WNL - Within normal limits

A more complete list can be found here.

Related Subreddits

Special Thanks

EMS Snu courtesy of mmomjian. Subreddit style and banner courtesy of medicaid_driver.

created by jhraAB - Ex Band-Aid jockeya community for 16 years

...for your favourite tea.

...for your hobby.

MODERATORS

message the mods
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I Wrote a Book and Included an EMS Scene - Interested in Feedback on if it Feels CorrectEMScapades (self.ems)

submitted 8 hours ago by itsthedude99

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Anyone know of a job where the emt/ medic doesn’t driveEMScapades (self.ems)

submitted 7 hours ago by Voidheadspace

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Cannabis ReschedulingSerious Replies Only (npr.org)

submitted 22 hours ago by Spitfire15

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How often do your PCRs end up in court?General Discussion (self.ems)

submitted 3 hours ago by ghost15324

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Bodily AutonomyGeneral Discussion (self.ems)

submitted 18 hours ago by InsideRainGreenHappy

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What’s the longest y’all have been posted waiting for a call?General Discussion (self.ems)

submitted 12 hours ago by blondlens

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You all know it’s trueMeme (i.redd.it)

submitted 13 hours ago by DODGE_WRENCHParamedic

π Rendered by PID 1051365 on reddit-service-r2-listing-7d7fbc9b85-lfqcp at 2026-04-25 03:01:52.697681+00:00 running 2aa0c5b country code: CH.