EMS educators and training officers can use smartphones and handheld video cameras, like the Flip, to record EMS skills. Check out this video of EtCO2 Colormetric device used on a Supraglottic Airway (SGA).
When creating videos for your EMS organization or training program keep these tips in mind:
1. Write a simple storyboard. A storyboard will help define the skill, equipment needed, and process you are planning to record.
2. Rehearse. Practice the skill you are planning to record to make sure you have the necessary equipment and know all the steps you wish to record.
3. Narration. Decide if you are going to narrate the skill as you go or just demonstrate the process.
4. Distraction. Control and minimize background noise, conversation, and movement in the background.
5. Frame. Know what you want in the frame of the video. Then select the right distance and zooming to capture what you intend. If your frame is too wide you may end up with a distracting background. If you are too close you might miss important parts of the skill.
6. Edit. For most short EMS skills, as shown in the EtCO2 video, most of the editing is decided before the camera starts to roll. Adding some title credits and YouTube annotations can be done pretty easily.
7. Upload. YouTube is still the 2nd most popular internet search engine. YouTube videos can be widely shared and distributed with social sharing and embedding features.
8. Describe and tag. Write a description of the video and tag with keywords to help viewers find the video.
// What are your tips for recording, editing, and uploading EMS Skill videos?
