Best EMT Books and Guides

Written by

CharFlow Team

Date published

October 26, 2023

Recently we made 6 free patient scenarios available to students at the EMT-B / BLS provider level so you can practice decision making, chart in a simulated run report, and exercise your medication and intervention knowledge.

During that process, we also took a stroll down memory lane, reviewing some of the books our staff used when they were first studying EMS. Here are some of our favorite books that we highly recommend to EMT, EMS, and First Responder students everywhere.

EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) Crash Course with Online Practice Test

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Unlike the other materials you’ll find listed here, this is more like a textbook than a review source. You need to have some familiarity with EMT content in general, but this book will teach you the specifics with diagrams and written descriptions. Plus, the plentiful practice questions will help information stick in your mind. It’s one of the highest reviewed EMT books on Amazon, and we have nothing but good things to say about it.

EMS Field Guide, BLS Version

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This is, by far, the best field guide we’ve found for BLS level providers. In one tiny pocket-sized book, everything you need in the field is right here when you need a quick reference. If you don’t own this guide while studying, we highly suggest purchasing it before going out in the field. Pediatric information, neuro exams, metric conversions, and poisons are all covered as well as the standard topics you’d learn in an EMT-B program. ALS procedures that might be included in some extended local protocols are also included just in case.

BLS Provider Medication Guide

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While we’re a bit biased on this one (after all, we wrote it), we highly recommend this medication guide for both students and new providers who don’t need a full field guide like the one above. We find that so much of what’s covered in standard field guides like reminders on medical terminology and wearing gloves/masks (if you don’t know to wear gloves on a call, it’s probably best to go back to class) aren’t necessarily useful in the field. However, giving medications when you’re still new to emergency medicine can be a terrifying process, especially if you aren’t 100% comfortable with your med bag yet. That’s why we created this tiny book to carry in your bag or pocket including only the medications given at the BLS or AEMT level. After all, we don’t want you to feel like you’re all alone when you decide to give a medication during a call.

EMT- Emergency Medical Technician (Quick Study Academic)

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Just a single laminated, trifold pamphlet that covers all major topics on the NREMT exam for basic EMTs. While not designed to teach you the material, we can’t recommend this enough as the ultimate study guide/review page for students. Studying for exams can be overwhelming, but this helps you focus your efforts and refresh your memory right before walking into the testing center. We highly recommend carrying this in your backpack to do quick reviews while waiting in line for a coffee or downtime during ride-alongs.

*We also highly recommend this for new EMT-B instructors who are having a hard time keeping themselves from wandering into more advanced topics. This pamphlet is a great way to focus your teaching to just the relevant points.* Hope these help with your future studies!

-The ChartFlow Team