Should I take a gap year after highschool?

Is it possible to take your EMT-B course while being 18 but not having a highschool diploma yet in Washington?

• So I am in an explorers program in the seattle area, and i have realized that i would love to become and EMT and then eventually a paramedic. I was talking to my captain the other day and he said that it is not possible to get your EMT-B license until you get a highschool diploma. When i will be taking the course i will already be 18 and was wondering if there is any way that i could get my EMT license BEFORE i graduate, so that i can do my 24 mandatory responds to pay back the fire department for the course so that i can take a gap year and go skiing starting during the summer. I LIVE IN WASHINGTON!

• Answer:

  It makes me seriously afraid that if I fall down some stairs, and get messed up. That some 18yr old who hasn't even completed high school let alone most likely has no clue what they are doing will show up to save my life. Hopefully a real firefighter shows up first!