So how horrible are the EMT runs usually ?

[some1ne]

I've been reading a few horror stories from EMT's describing what they have seen and probably what all EMT's will eventually have to see when responding to calls. Some really horrible stuff was described.... decapitations for example?

How bad does it get really? What are some calls that you've been on that really shook you up? Have any of your partners froze on you during a call or were you yourself unable to perform because of the scene?

I don't think many people think about this when they are about to go to an EMT class.

 

[NYMedic828]

I've been reading a few horror stories from EMT's describing what they have seen and probably what all EMT's will eventually have to see when responding to calls. Some really horrible stuff was describes.... decapitations for example?

How bad does it get really? What are some calls that you've been on that really shook you up? Have any of your partners froze on you during a call or were you yourself unable to perform because of the scene?

I don't think many people think about this when they are about to go to an ETM class.

The worst thing you could possibly come across is any form of legitimate incident involving children. End of story, no one can argue worse.

Otherwise, it is what it is. Depends on what kind of person you are. Nothing phases me to be honest unless it is happening to me. I sleep fine at night. I was desensitized from the start I guess.



Keep in mind, these things happen rarely. Very rarely for most. It isn't like television when you see ambulances driving through exploding gas tankers and gunfire. The reality is mostly sitting at a station or street corner crossing your fingers something exciting happens and it never does.

 

[Aidey]

I'm actually 100% positive that someone could argue worse. Building up serious Pediatric calls into these automatically horrific events is absurd and does a disservice to everyone.

 

[Handsome Robb]

The worst thing you could possibly come across is any form of legitimate incident involving children. End of story, no one can argue worse.

Maybe I'm jaded but I agree.

Elder abuse or neglect calls are bad too.

Gore has never really bothered me.

Everyone is going to have different calls that get to them. Some are going to be kids, others trauma, others dead bodies. No one can tell you what the absolute "worst" call is.

The Reno Air Race incident was pretty horrific from the stories I've heard.

 

[RustyShackleford]

Ped arrests are my least favorite for obvious reasons and for some reason drownings linger in my mind temporarily. Once you are working you will find coping mechanisms or you will wash out quickly depending on how busy your service is.

 

[Aidey]

Maybe I'm jaded but I agree.

Elder abuse or neglect calls are bad too.

Gore has never really bothered me.

Everyone is going to have different calls that get to them. Some are going to be kids, others trauma, others dead bodies. No one can tell you what the absolute "worst" call is.

The Reno Air Race incident was pretty horrific from the stories I've heard.

You've had some bad luck when it comes to calls.

My issue is that EVERYONE says peds calls are the most horrific traumatizing awful things ever, even people who have minimal experience with serious pediatric calls. Continually reinforcing this idea is only going to result in a perpetuation in people feeling pedi calls are The Worst Calls Ever. This isn't good for anyone's psychological state.

I've heard people criticized as heartless and so on for admitting that they don't believe pedi calls are The Worst Calls Ever. The idea has become self perpetuating regardless of how people really feel.

 

[RocketMedic]

I tend to think of "bad calls" as ones where I have to document a lot of stuff that's not quick or easy to wordsmith my way through.

 

[abckidsmom]

You've had some bad luck when it comes to calls.

My issue is that EVERYONE says peds calls are the most horrific traumatizing awful things ever, even people who have minimal experience with serious pediatric calls. Continually reinforcing this idea is only going to result in a perpetuation in people feeling pedi calls are The Worst Calls Ever. This isn't good for anyone's psychological state.

I've heard people criticized as heartless and so on for admitting that they don't believe pedi calls are The Worst Calls Ever. The idea has become self perpetuating regardless of how people really feel.

Agree. Kids are people too.

I like having sick kids as patients, mostly because I know that its better for everyone if the medic isn't scared, and I would rather run every sick kid than have one fall in with a medic who will be intimidated before they ever get started and not be able to do their job well.

Apparently, the calls that are starting to sit heavy with me are rapes. I am just very bothered, over-empathize, and can't get them out of my head before several days. Show me gore, trauma, crap everywhere, but those are the ones that stick with me.

 

[medic417]

I'm actually 100% positive that someone could argue worse. Building up serious Pediatric calls into these automatically horrific events is absurd and does a disservice to everyone.

If Rob Davis (a.k.a AJ Hiddle) were still alive he would agree with you. He would ask why are the pedi calls worse? What have they done for society to deserve more value than a working adult?

 

[NomadicMedic]

I also think kid calls are a little over rated. A pedi code is tragic, but it doesn't make or break me.

I don't like burns. And anything involving eyeballs grosses me out.

 

[DesertMedic66]

I think any serious call involving a family member is worse then kid calls.

 

[eprex]

People always say pediatric calls but I would imagine any personal call would be much, much worse. I hope to never deal with either.

 

[eprex]

I know two people who did the call for this bus crash, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Wide_Tours_bus_crash

Not sure how I'd handle it.

 

[Veneficus]

The worst things I have seen are not injuries or illnesses, it is man's inhumanity towards others.

 

[eprex]

The worst things I have seen are not injuries or illnesses, it is man's inhumanity towards others.

I could see this too. I had my first 5 hours of clinical rotations on Friday and right before I left there was a belligerent trauma patient. Everyone was laughing at her while she screamed her head off. I really just felt ashamed for everyone. It's still bothering me today.

My partner stood next to me and looking at my horrified face said "you need to go on more calls":glare:

 

[mycrofft]

One time my partner and I picked up a pizza for lunch and supper on a Sunday at noon, and we had to drive around and smell that thing staying warm over the catalytic convertor for five hours before we were clear long enough to eat it. Made the patients hungry too.

Intolerable I tell you!!

 

[Bullets]

Eyeballs...No
NOPE
NOOOOOOOOOPE

Also we had a hanger who was in a aluminum shed for 3-4 days in 100 degree weather. Probably the grossest thing ive ever seen, and that smell

 

[lightsandsirens5]

The worst things I have seen are not injuries or illnesses, it is man's inhumanity towards others.

Nailed it. I agree completely.

Worst things for me have been:

1. A certain child abuse call. Not because the kid was really seriously injured, not inured at all really (it was more neglect/emotional abuse) but just because one human being would do that to another. Especially because the parent/child relationship was involved.

2. I wasn't even on this call, but it still bugged me, just from taking with the crew that was on it. Guy who got into an argument, attacked the other guy, tied him to the back of the truck, then made his son drive, at gunpoint down the highway. Again, not because of the injuries. But because of the sadistic mindset this man had towards his fellow man.

3. One more was a guy who, again,wasn't hurt bad, but had been struggling for his life while his two (former) friends tried to basically crucify him over some sort of girl related thing or something.

I've never been bothered by illnesses or injuries alone. It has been the animal-like, and even demon-like traits some people exhibit towards fellow human beings.

 

[wyomingearth]

yuck!

Here Here on the eyeballs n7lxi! They are my cryptonite...I also play vet tech 40 hours a week and I've seen waaay too many popped out eyeballs on pugs, boston terriers and schi zhu (sp?). So so many, just plopped out...ruined me for eyeballs forever. Why would people create living things that can't keep track of their own eyeballs?????

 

[medichopeful]

Eyeballs and fingers for me. For some reason some finger injuries get to me! (bad ones, not like little cuts and scratches! )