This guide establishes the national standard for training the emergency medical technician (paramedic).

This guide shall be used by those who develop the training curriculum to be used to train the emergency medical technician (paramedic).

Every person who is identified as an emergency medical technician (paramedic) shall have been trained to this guide.

It is understood that the scope of the medical practice is constantly evolving. Therefore, this guide does not contain recommendations for the management of illnesses and injuries. Furthermore, it is not intended to supersede the protocols and standing orders of the system medical director or the on-line medical physician (see Practice F 1149).

This guide does not standardize the scope of practice of the emergency medical technician (paramedic).

1.1 This guide covers the training standard for the emergency medical technician (paramedic) to deal with emergencies. Primary care and wilderness/delayed/prolonged context training for the emergency medical technician (paramedic) is not within the scope of this guide, but may be dealt with in other ASTM standards.

1.2 This guide identifies the knowledge and skills that all programs that train the emergency medical technician (paramedic) should include in their training program.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.