A number of years back, AMR Alameda County had a patient jump out of the back of the ambulance on highway 580 when they were going about 60 miles an hour. They did not restrain this person who was on a 5150 hold.
If this was a person from PD custody, PD should have shook him down better. With that said I would never get into a physical altercation with a psych patient. I think you were fine. Just document it and notify your supervision or CES department on how it should be properly handled.
Three shifts a month is cake. You're very lucky. Some of the AMR people in Contra Costa County still get strike pay for everything up to 4:00 a.m. or past. It's like $15 an hour extra I think. Something crazy.
I did that exact call. The call came down for not breathing child. When we got there the kid looked great and was just happy and babbling. That was when the salty older medic I was working with sat down to talk to the two 19-year-old parents.
I had a Leatherman for years. I now have a Gerber multi pliers. Honestly I don't carry either of them. I carry a knife in my pocket and my trauma shears have a cut out to open the '02 tanks. That's all I really need.
Most of the agencies around here use them. Even the run down mom and pop places. Surprisingly Pro-Transport1 which is a union company does not have them. They still have the manual ones.
I find that pretty surprising.
For the last 20 years I have worn the Reebok tactical boots. They're like sneakers. I recommend them strongly. They're usually around $110 a pair. They only last usually about a little over a year but they're worth it. Those other boots hurt my feet.
With everything that you've said, I really don't think that EMS is something that would be suitable for you. This is a difficult job and it can be very dark.
"Pop Drop". When the family calls 911 because grandpa at home is allegedly "sick." This normally occurs the day before a holiday weekend begins. Signs include arriving at the call residence and finding the Pts family in the driveway and their SUV packed. You then take the elderly parent away for...
My experience at a large provider was it was like high school. A lot of cliques and many people would throw you under the bus if they felt that would benefit them. Maybe now that I am older, it would be better.