Quinter EMS Students Gain Hands-On Experience in Obstetrics

Logan County EMS serves as a training site and host for several prehospital education programs, including EMT, AEMT, CPR, First Aid, and other related courses. By offering these programs, Logan County EMS provides surrounding agencies with hybrid training options or the curriculum needed to conduct their own classes, helping to expand the workforce for rural ambulance services. Participating agencies have included Comanche County, Thomas County, and Quinter Ambulance Service. Quinter currently has a class in session that is scheduled to test in February.

Emergency medical services training covers a wide range of high-stakes scenarios, but few are as time-sensitive, or as memorable, as obstetrics. Recently, Quinter EMS students spent time learning and practicing obstetric skills, gaining critical knowledge that can make a life-changing difference for both mother and baby, especially in a rural setting.

For many EMS students, obstetrics can feel intimidating at first. Childbirth is often associated with hospitals, physicians, and specialized equipment. In reality, EMS providers, particularly those serving rural communities, must be prepared for deliveries that happen far from a medical facility. The training emphasized that while most births go smoothly, complications can arise quickly, and EMS professionals are often the first and only line of care until additional help becomes available.

During the training, students reviewed the stages of labor, signs of imminent delivery, and the steps of a normal childbirth. Hands-on practice included preparing a delivery area, assisting with a birth, caring for a newborn immediately after delivery, and managing postpartum care for the mother. Instructors also focused on recognizing and responding to emergencies such as breech births, postpartum hemorrhage, and neonatal distress.

The importance of this training is amplified in a place like western Kansas, where calls can take responders far into rural areas. Long transport times, limited resources, and unpredictable weather can mean that an EMS crew may be managing a delivery on the side of a highway or in a farmhouse miles from town. In these situations, confidence and competence are just as important as equipment.

Learning obstetrics helps EMS students build that confidence. By practicing scenarios in a controlled environment, students are better prepared to stay calm, communicate clearly, and prioritize patient safety when it matters most. They learn that even simple actions such as keeping the newborn warm, monitoring breathing, and reassuring the mother, can have a profound impact on outcomes.