What was your first 911 call?

RedBlanketRunner

Opheophagus Hannah Cuddler
337
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28

RedBlanketRunner

Opheophagus Hannah Cuddler
337
58
28
And that’s how we know you’re faking it.
You do know that it was common for funeral parlors to operate ambulance services, yes? And once upon a time it was a common practice to pick up the dead bodies first. More money in it.

BTW, I haven't watched the brainwash tube in well over 30 years. Excuse me for being slow on the uptake.

I wonder how many of our modern day medics would like to get sent out on runs in modified hearses with your equipment consisting of a stretcher and first aid kit you were forbidden to use without physicians orders?
 
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FiremanMike

Just a dude
1,127
694
113
Man, I remember my first day as a student rider, I remember there were 3 runs and we were canceled on all of them..

I don’t remember my first run that we made it to the scene, but to be honest that was 24 years ago..
 

hometownmedic5

Forum Asst. Chief
806
612
93
I don’t know that I could recall the very first. I did a code my second day on the job about 17 seconds after I walked in the door, and that was memorable enough that I only remember my first day in the sense that I know I had one.

I was actually a code magnet as a basic. Not so much as a medic, but my last six months as a basic I did 9 cardiac arrests. Then, when I needed them for the new medic experience, crickets...
 

hometownmedic5

Forum Asst. Chief
806
612
93
I'm nervous for when my first cardiac arrest happens, I think about it all the time and how I need to react.

This will likely fall on deaf ears, but I’ll try anyway. Don’t worry about screwing up your first whatever call; not because you won’t but because you absolutely 100% will. It’s the nature of the beast. The first time you do anything it’s going to be a gong show no matter how many times you read the manual.

The goal isn’t to do everything perfectly the first time you do it, because that’s nonsense. The goal is to prepare to the best of your ability, make every effort to succeed, and learn from your mistakes. There isn’t one of us here(or anywhere else for that matter) that showed up on our first truck a rockstar. Like anything else, this is an acquired skill, not an inherent reflex. Stop trying to be perfect and just try to make progress.
 

hometownmedic5

Forum Asst. Chief
806
612
93
You do know that it was common for funeral parlors to operate ambulance services, yes? And once upon a time it was a common practice to pick up the dead bodies first. More money in it.

BTW, I haven't watched the brainwash tube in well over 30 years. Excuse me for being slow on the uptake.

I wonder how many of our modern day medics would like to get sent out on runs in modified hearses with your equipment consisting of a stretcher and first aid kit you were forbidden to use without physicians orders?

You refer to TV as the “brainwash tube” and haven’t deigned to look at one in 30 years; but you’re on the internet/social media? That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard and I went to public school.
 

EMDispatch

IAED EMD-Q/EMT
395
33
28
First EMS call:
CVA while working casino security... the guy was more concerned about his slots than being assessed. He literally was playing with his left hand since he had major right deficit... It was more awkward than bad, but I had a good experienced crew guiding me.

First "Fire" call:
... forgot to clear the seatbelt from the SCBA before stepping off the truck, didn't check the purge valve and lost plenty of air... and of course couldn't control breathing so burned my tank in like 15 minutes.

First "Disptach" call:
Cannot remember, but that comes with the call volume... but I'm sure it was awkward and slow, etc. I will say I ended my probation period with a building fire with 23 trapped, a pediatric arrest, and fatal car fire.

Bottom line was all 3 got better with experience.
 
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Scott33

Forum Asst. Chief
544
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28
First EMS job was back in 2001 for an obese male cardiac arrest crumpled over in his tiny bathroom at home. While I was flapping about trying to figure out how to get access to him, forum member mgr22 backed my crew up and casually pronounced him expired for quite some time. I still emphasize the importance of ‘assessment before treatment’ to anyone I precept, due to this, and other similar calls.
 

mgr22

Forum Deputy Chief
1,655
812
113
First EMS job was back in 2001 for an obese male cardiac arrest crumpled over in his tiny bathroom at home. While I was flapping about trying to figure out how to get access to him, forum member mgr22 backed my crew up and casually pronounced him expired for quite some time. I still emphasize the importance of ‘assessment before treatment’ to anyone I precept, due to this, and other similar calls.

Hey, Scott33, good to hear from you. Looks like you've done a few things I wish I had. 'Course then I might have missed my chance to make all that Tennessee-medic money. 😄
 

SoCalCanuck

Forum Probie
20
5
3
My first call was a vehicle vs bicycle. Thirteen year old kid with massive trauma, and as we log rolled him onto the backboard his skull collapsed a bit in my hands. That was 25 years ago and I still remember that sensation. Not a pleasant intro into the world of EMS.
 

johnrsemt

Forum Deputy Chief
1,672
256
83
I had 4 calls in a 48 hour shift this last week at PT job, and had a problem remembering what the 1st call of the week was.
 

ExpatMedic0

MS, NRP
2,237
269
83
If I remember correctly, it was a lady who crashed her mobility scooter. Very USA
 

Carlos Danger

Forum Deputy Chief
Premium Member
4,510
3,234
113
Don't remember my first 911 call as a EMT / driver, but my first call as a cleared paramedic working on my own was a vehicle rollover on a city street with no serious injuries.
 
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