Humor In EMS Education

     "People learn when they laugh."
-Unknown

     I love that quote, live by the rule and would love to attribute it to someone, but I just can't remember who told it to me. But it is true. A focused, yet lighthearted classroom is effective.

     Following, I'd like to share some photo outtakes from a photo shoot I did to accompany an article in this month's issue titled What NOT To Do in EMS. It's a worthy topic because there are so many things we shouldn't do, yet we are drawn to these pitfalls like a moth to flame.

     Imagine telling an EMS provider--any EMS provider--that you'd like to shoot some photos of him or her doing something wrong. The possibilities for both photos and laughs are endless.

     Figure 1: Don't delay starting or resuming CPR. We were discussing the concept of delaying CPR while setting up this scene, when veteran firefighter/medic (and patient) Carl French decided to take matters into his own hands--literally--by performing CPR on himself.

     Figure 2: What else can cause delays in CPR? Watching the game during a code.

     Figure 3: Never step over a patient--unless you have to change the channel and can't find the remote. Are you looking closely? To add another no-no, remember to keep the angio out of your mouth while looking for a vein.

     But seriously, folks. Here are some tips for using humor in the classroom:

     Balance humor with content

     Some use the terms infotainment or edutainment to symbolize this balance. The key is to keep focus on the topic, not the humor. Interestingly, students will provide stellar reviews for a funny instructor or class while missing out on the key education they need. Humor is like seasoning on food: It accents the main course rather than overwhelming the senses.

     Be yourself

     You can't model someone else's style of humor and be funny. Find what works for you.

     Use humor unexpectedly

     Break up long stretches of information with a surprise video or humorous anecdote.

     Keep humor in good taste

     A major--and potentially career-ending--pitfall is to cross lines involving race, ethnicity or sex.

     Humor shouldn't hurt

     Avoid making someone the brunt of your humor (even if they provide constant ammunition for you to do so). Making fun of yourself is OK--it shows you are human.

     If you don't consider yourself funny, it's OK. I'm not talking stand-up comedy here. As a matter of fact, students want other attributes in their instructors as well. Things like sincerity, organization and dedication come to mind. In the end, a balance works best.

     Finally, thanks to Chris Pare, Carl French and Eric Beaulieu, the dedicated and outrageously funny models for this photo shoot. People like these make EMS both fun and professional--just like our classrooms should be.

Dan Limmer has been involved in EMS and EMS education for more than 25 years. He is a paramedic with Kennebunk Fire-Rescue in Maine.