akflightmedic
Forum Deputy Chief
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If you need to routinely call for a lift assist for patients as light as 200# you're doing it wrong (male or female), and need to question if you belong in EMS from a physical standpoint. I don't feel that this is particularly harsh, as any normal person can achieve those above benchmarks if they just put in the damn work.
I mostly agreed with you except for this part. I have a few points to make about calling for lift assists.
1. We do NOT call enough because it is stigmatized, made fun of during or after the fact, or is seen as "less manly" in a machismo culture.
2. There needs to be far more education and focus/encouraging the use of extra hands...even for patients #200 or less.
3. It has NOTHING to do with the weight of the patient, it has everything to do with the extraction. Are there any questionable angles, descents/ascents, or maneuvers which could potentially harm the provider? All about risk mitigation.
*Even if there was ONE part which had me questioning myself or my partner based on that particular patient's cooperation, understanding and acuity, then I would call for an assist.
4. So what if another unit or engine has to come assist. We are all on duty and we should look out for each other. I would come assist any of you in a second if you call for it. I would never question why you called for it, I would never judge you for calling.
5. I have made risky and harmful lifts in my career. Some I deemed necessary in that moment, others were stupid decisions based on my ego or being pressured by a partner who challenged me (either by jokes, looks or comments) or who did not want to wait on incoming assistance. Yes, I caved to peer pressure, even when I was senior man on scene.
Because of this, I have injured myself. There have also been times where I let the injury go unreported. I strongly suspect I am not the only one in this industry who did or is doing the same.
It is time to change the mindset, change the culture.