Violent Encounter; Patient Abandonment?

[DesertMedic66]

I hope the patient is wearing the shoulder belts and not just the lap and leg belts on the gurney for this ride...

I agree that mine and my partner's safety are the two most important things, I honestly put my partner's safety above mine for the simple fact that I'm the paramedic on the truck, I'm responsible for anything and everything on it including my partner. Beyond that, I don't know how I'd live with myself if a decision I made ended in my partner getting hurt or even worse killed.

I'm willing to take risks at work. I'm sure that will change with time when I have a family. I really hope my girlfriend doesn't read this haha. One risk I'm not willing to take is going toe-to-toe with a man with a shotgun.

This would be my exact response aside from being the medic on the truck.

Dude with a shotgun = out of the ambulance fast. Try to get the patient also and if possible.

 

[MrJones]

The responses subsequent to my previous statement that I would stay with the patient have been interesting to say the least. Based on some of those responses, though, it is apparent that a bit of clarification is in order: I would not knowingly enter an unsafe scene to treat a patient. Once that patient is under my care, however, the rules change IAW the following priorities:

1. My partner's safety
2. My patient's safety
3. Bystander safety.
4. My safety.

You may agree. You may disagree. But it is what it is, and what it is is a set of priorities that make sense to and for me.