Early morning Sunday call. Newborn born at home 20 min before we got called out was not breathing. Got to scene. Midwife was holding the newborn and had a n/r on him. We loaded the baby, midwife, dad, the medic and myself. I am an EMT-B partnered with a medic. I had to drive to the nearest appropriate facility which was 25 miles away, it had just started to rain and was foggy. As I drove with lights and siren it occurred to me that I had the lives of 5 people in my hands. If I make a mistake in driving I could jeopardize 5 lives. So when someone says your just a basic EMT they have no idea the responsiblity that comes along with being a basic EMT.
5 Lives
- Thread starter AGill01
- Start date
NomadicMedic
I know a guy who knows a guy.
- 12,246
- 7,028
- 113
Looking at it that way, it's about the same responsibility as being the guy that drives the airport rental car shuttle.
You should ALWAYS drive with your head on a swivel.
You should ALWAYS drive with your head on a swivel.
Last edited by a moderator:
VFlutter
Flight Nurse
- 3,728
- 1,265
- 113
:rofl:
You shouldn't be "screaming" down the highway and you should be properly clearing the intersection, hopefully minimizing those risks.
Last edited by a moderator:
NomadicMedic
I know a guy who knows a guy.
- 12,246
- 7,028
- 113
If you drive the ambulance hoping that cross traffic sees and hears you, you're a danger to more than just the people riding in your truck. You're a danger to everyone on the road.
Please, for everyone's sake, learn proper emergency operation and drive with due regard. And take an EVOC course.
- 2,140
- 84
- 48
^^^ This....10,000,000,000 times this ^^^
NYMedic828
Forum Deputy Chief
- 2,094
- 3
- 36
A bus driver holds far more responsibility in this regard...
So does a pilot.
Train conductor.
Operating engineer.
List goes on.
So does a pilot.
Train conductor.
Operating engineer.
List goes on.
The point of this post wasnt my driving. I have been driving an ambulance for a year. Never had an accident, avoided an accident when someone pulled right out in front of me, I slow down at intersections and I drive as fast as I feel comfortable driving not going 10 miles over the speed limit. I have been accused of driving to slow when not patient loaded and if I am unfamiliar with the road yes I will drive slower. I have seen pov's be careless when ambulances are approaching intersections on E calls. Even had pov's not pay attention until the ambulance is right behind them. The point of the post was responsibility of an EMT. My responsibilities are not only safe driving and getting to and fro safely but I also have to know how to help my medic when needed. I dont just load the patient and medic in the back and close the doors and go sit in the drivers seat and wait till the medic gives the ok to go. I jump in the back and help the medic till he says he is ready to go.
NomadicMedic
I know a guy who knows a guy.
- 12,246
- 7,028
- 113
I don't mean to downplay your post, I understand you're proud of the fact that you had a call with the potential for a not so good outcome, but you need to remember, the biggest help you can give to your medic, the patients you're transporting and the other people on the road is to drive the ambulance safely, with due regard for others, and avoid letting adrenalin get you hyped up where you make bad decisions.
You mention that you've been driving an ambulance for a year, but that means nothing if you've been doing it wrong or dangerously.
I think I speak for every other medic here when I say if I had to choose between a safe driver that I trust and an EMT that can help me in the back, I'll chose the safe driver every day of the week.
And by the way, the ENTIRE point of your original post was about your driving.
You mention that you've been driving an ambulance for a year, but that means nothing if you've been doing it wrong or dangerously.
I think I speak for every other medic here when I say if I had to choose between a safe driver that I trust and an EMT that can help me in the back, I'll chose the safe driver every day of the week.
And by the way, the ENTIRE point of your original post was about your driving.
Last edited by a moderator:
NYMedic828
Forum Deputy Chief
- 2,094
- 3
- 36
In the spirit of the holidays, I will keep my mouth shut on this one...
RocketMedic
Californian, Lost in Texas
- 5,041
- 1,473
- 113
There should be no difference in your safe ordinary driving and your emergent driving.
mycrofft
Still crazy but elsewhere
- 11,322
- 49
- 48
OP, it worked out, you did ok, then fine! I don't read from your post that you did anything foolhardy.
BTW, whereabouts? Know where Clinton is?
BTW, whereabouts? Know where Clinton is?
NYMedic828
Forum Deputy Chief
- 2,094
- 3
- 36
His post wasn't to talk about something having gone wrong.
His post was because he had some epiphany while working about how unfathomable his responsibilities as an EMT are.
mycrofft
Still crazy but elsewhere
- 11,322
- 49
- 48
Yes.
- 9,736
- 1,174
- 113
This.
I can make up for a partner that isn't strong with medicine but I can't drive the truck and take care of the pt at the same time...
xrsm002
Forum Captain
- 291
- 0
- 16
I used to drive a school bus, there were 24 seats in it, however I also had kids k-6 on there the some of the younger ones I was able to fit 3 to a seat instead of 2. So I was responsible for somewhere between 60-70 kids. That was crazy
xrsm002
Forum Captain
- 291
- 0
- 16
Correction 24 seats on each side, so there was 48 seats in it.
VFlutter
Flight Nurse
- 3,728
- 1,265
- 113
I am responsible for monitoring the cardiac rhythms of 60-70 high risk cardiac patients at the same time. Can I haz cookie?