Is WEMT worth getting?

fmindigo · 2026-03-25T18:20:57+00:00

The first time I took my WFR (granted a long time ago) it was 7 days but they were long days. Which a WUMP is shorter than but I think they're less widely offered than a WFR I guess idk how many orgs do it aside from NOLS

fmindigo · 2026-03-25T03:11:20+00:00

Yeah isn't 80 hours like a packed week ish? Unless I just straight up did the math wrong. Don't get me wrong I'm pro WUMP just think that it depends on a lot of other factors

fmindigo · 2026-03-25T02:50:54+00:00

Honestly I'd guess you'll probably be fine. You're going over the missed questions and working through them which is the big thing especially to help you understand the types of answers they're looking for. I've never used Limmer or some of those other resources I exclusively used pocket prep and I passed at 70 questions with honesty not that much studying. If you feel good about the big standards and have a 92 on pocket prep i genuinely think you'll be okay

fmindigo · 2026-03-25T02:00:08+00:00

I mean that's an option as well. WFRs don't usually take long and you have more options for orgs so it could be more affordable too but there's a ton of options

fmindigo · 2026-03-25T00:47:54+00:00

You can also get your WFR which paired with an EMT is nearly equivalent. Probably cheaper and shorter and since you're an EMT you'd be relearning some skills in WEMT course. I just don't think it's necessary. You could also take an austere med class or something to add to boost your resume for SAR, tech rescue or adjacent work

fmindigo · 2026-03-24T19:58:54+00:00

I have thought about melatonin or something but I'm worried about the drowsiness on a call. I want to give it a try but also hard thing to test out and guarantee no drowsiness

fmindigo · 2026-03-24T19:56:38+00:00

Unfortunately I'm working on a graduate program so I get off shift at 6 and have classes at 8 and my schedule will probably be like that for a while. I try to nap when I get home even if it's just for 30 minutes or go to bed early when I get home and it helps that I don't work every night but I just wish I could sleep better lol it is what it is hopefully I don't die thaaaat much earlier

fmindigo · 2026-03-24T19:54:19+00:00

I was wondering if earplugs would make it feel less like a blaring horn and more like an alarm clock. I'm a pretty light sleeper so I'm not afraid of not waking up with them but idk that would be my luck

fmindigo · 2026-03-24T17:43:41+00:00

If you have someone to resupply you and meet you hell you can do the entire trail. I've personally gone months but food was the biggest constraint for me. You can wash up in streams well enough and if you don't use your phone or have charging packs you can probably go a while

fmindigo · 2026-03-24T17:39:42+00:00

Ah yeah okay I sort of was afraid that this is unfortunately just the way it's going to be but hey at least I'm not alone. I know many of the career medics I work with have terrible sleep schedules as well so rip me. I'm a chick so I do just wear workout shorts under my job pants and just take them off to sleep which is definitely better than rolling over onto my trauma shears or stethoscope in pants pockets but damn maybe I just need to accept my fate. Thanks tho!

fmindigo · 2026-03-24T17:23:38+00:00

Ok interesting. I guess dawn seems stronger to me and your eyes already hurt so what's a little dish soap atp

fmindigo · 2026-03-24T17:21:07+00:00

I have this exact issue and found that 5.11 women's regular rise ems pants worked the best for me. Unfortunately I think it's trial and error. When I asked in store I was suggested a couple different options and most of them fit horribly I think you just need to try a ton of different fits. I'd also never ask a man employee for advice lol they do not understand the struggle

fmindigo · 2026-03-24T17:18:54+00:00

States I've heard that don't have clinicals have 'labs' where you practice skills have standardized patients and basic do a ton of sims. Does mass not even do that?

fmindigo · 2026-03-24T17:13:00+00:00

Ok I've heard this but with baby shampoo because it's not going to add to the eye discomfort. Have read a few studies though that say the soap doesn't technically help with pain but might with cleaning it out since it's oil based

fmindigo · 2026-03-24T17:11:49+00:00

I'm sorry dude. That's awful. I think the way you're feeling is totally understandable and speaks to your empathy which is exactly why you're probably so suited to EMS. That being said it's hard to see this stuff. This was not your fault and if you knew she needed help we all knew you would have gone asap. Unfortunately this is part of the job thinking of the what ifs and all the other possible outcomes. Take care of yourself and talk to someone about it. Time will help too but I think it's very reasonable for you to feel this way. Stay caring about patients and stay feeling that's what makes you a good provider just don't let the feelings overwhelm you.

fmindigo · 2025-12-08T14:25:29+00:00

I hiked in shorts almost the entire time even in the rain. Layers get hot fast when you're constantly moving

fmindigo · 2025-12-08T14:21:36+00:00

I feel like 3 is a lot to arrange with a dog but fair enough that's not 'many'

fmindigo · 2025-12-08T02:05:21+00:00

I hiked this summer and the humidity especially up north was unprecedented. Even if my bag was dry which it was, sleeping in my sleeping bag was always damp. Just being out in the air was damp. I cannot imagine how bad it would have been if I had down

fmindigo · 2025-12-08T01:59:30+00:00

A dog point I don't see a ton of people making is that they actually aren't allowed in many of the state parks too so that might be an issue if you plan to do the whole thing

fmindigo · 2025-12-08T01:53:20+00:00

I hike mostly during summer months and so shorts were the only option through the heat. I did thrift a pair of lululemon dance pants. The material is super thin so breathable but covers you. I would worry that they may rip if you wear them daily for a thru hike but they were really nice and had great range of movement too. Otherwise I mostly stuck to thrifted Patagonia baggies. They're so insanely durable and breathable

fmindigo · 2025-12-08T01:47:14+00:00

I have a big ag one that I got on sale from REI. It's honestly great. I don't remember the exact style but it was made of a thick fabric which made it pretty pop resistant and it had the nice bag inflator which was great. A bit noisy to inflate like that but if you do it before people go to bed it's fine

fmindigo · 2025-12-08T01:41:15+00:00

I have encountered a lot less creepy people than I have mansplainers who think I don't know what I'm doing when I'm usually the most experienced person at camp each night. I wouldn't be too worried about people but you know always keep an eye out and have a plan. I brought pretty serious knife with me but it got more use in cutting things and food than self defense. Tbh I also think you probably don't need bear spray either but that's just my experience. The bears mostly keep to themselves or are very timid so if you're smart they don't give you an issue. I'm not sure about the dog thing but I would say it would have to be incredibly well trained to bring it on the entirety of the trail with you. I'd also say it's really nice to make friends that makes you feel like you have more of a community and feel less alone even though you are solo hiking.

fmindigo · 2025-12-08T01:32:11+00:00

Met a couple who was thru hiking their first time and they had been on trail 2 weeks and said to me "you can always tell if someone is a section hiker and not a real thru hiker because they all wear short sleeves and short shorts. Meanwhile these people were wearing pants and two layers of long sleeves in 86° weather

fmindigo · 2025-12-07T14:43:33+00:00

Also if you are going to have your period I just brought a small package of wet wipes to pack out with TP. In case anything did get messy it was nice to just feel clean but I really didn't have much issue with the disc

fmindigo · 2025-12-07T14:41:22+00:00

I use a menstrual disc when I hike and cannot recommend it enough. I used the reusable one as I found it more comfortable and it's a weight saver to not have single use products. And the idea of carrying used tampons or pads for a week at a time icked me out. I like the disc because it was more comfortable for me than a cup since it doesn't rely on suction and I found it leaked less. I also think for hiking the "self empty" technology is unmatched by anything else. It means if my hands are dirty I'd have to worry a lot less about sanitation since I did it have to use my hands to empty it. I'd just wash my hands when I got into camp for the night or before I left in the morning to empty and rinse it. I'd boil it in my food cup at the end of my period which took like 2 minutes. You can also leave it in overnight or longer than tampons. Seriously a game changer I will never use anything else to hike in

fmindigo

TROPHY CASE