Stay and Play or Grab and Go
Course Summary
Stay and Play or Grab and Go is a discussion-based EMS decision-making course focused on one of the most important operational questions in prehospital care: when should providers remain on scene to stabilize a patient, and when should they prioritize rapid transport? This class uses realistic scenarios and guided discussion to explore both sides of the decision.
Course Details
EMTs, BLS providers, crew chiefs, field training officers, volunteer EMS agencies, and mixed-experience EMS crews.
2–3 Hours
NJOEMS CEU application per class. Non-CEU delivery is also available when appropriate.
Scenario-based discussion; group decision-making; case comparison; facilitated debate; clinical and operational reasoning.
Topics Covered
- Scene time decision-making
- Critical versus non-critical patients
- Time-sensitive conditions
- Transport logistics
- On-scene interventions that may improve outcome
- Crew communication
- Risk-benefit thinking
- EMS decisions without one perfect answer
Learning Objectives
- Identify clinical and operational factors that influence scene time.
- Discuss when rapid transport may be the priority.
- Discuss when on-scene stabilization may be appropriate.
- Apply structured decision-making to realistic EMS scenarios.
- Communicate scene-time decisions effectively with crew members and receiving facilities.
Why Agencies Should Offer This Class
This course reflects real EMS practice. Many calls do not have a single perfect answer. Providers must make decisions with limited information, changing patient conditions, and operational constraints. This class helps crews think more clearly and communicate more effectively during those moments.
Agency Customization Options
- Local transport times
- Agency response area challenges
- Hospital destination practices
- Crew chief development