I’ve been in EMS 5 years. I work in a busy area we have a mix of everything. I’ve seen alot and done a lot.
EDIT: I appreciate all of the love and support and questions. I’ll be ending this AMA. I may return for more questions another day.
I’m a paramedic in the U.S. I’ll answer any question you have, no sugar coating AMA.
r/AMA
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You ever have someone ask you not to take them because they couldn’t afford it?
What’s the most graphic Injury you’ve encountered and how did you keep your composure
I just finished The Pit. How accurate was Grey’s Anatomy?
Why do people rage at you? Is it some sort of drug-induced aggression? Is it a misunderstanding of the medical procedures you are performing? (I can’t understand why front line medical personnel get yelled at and abused by the very people they are trying to help!)
Are you in a major city and if so has over doses slow down at all?
More general question. I’m hoping to become an emergency physician soon-ish. Here those are basically doctors that “travel around” and work with paramedics whenever needed.
What are some of the biggest differences working in the field? What would you want me to know?
I’ve got a couple months of experience as an army medic but that’s about it.
Why do ambulance rides cost $10,000 ?( I am in no way blaming you by the way)
First off, thank you. I also work with the vulnerable in my community, what’s your take on the drug epidemic? Do you have any compassion left or is it becoming “normal” to you?
Have you ever had a scene with a decapitation? How do you capartmentalize that level of gore/death from your personal life?
not a question – but i got hit by a truck last year and almost died, and whoever the paramedic lady was that was at my side in the ambulance i still remember her trying to calm me down, and it’s the first thing i remember after getting hit and the only thing i remember up to being in the hospital. ialways wanted to thank her, but due to her being a paramedic i never knew who she was or heard from her again – so i just wanted to say thank you on behalf of all the people you saved that haven’t been able to say it themselves. if she didn’t calm me down i probably would’ve went into shock and died on scene i’m sure because my injuries were fatal level.
Have there been any injuries that were so graphic that it’s still haunt you to the day? Even giving you nightmare sometimes?
Does a part of you like the gore? How do you process or get past the memories/mental images? I feel like we are hardwired to remember gore and trauma the most.
How many paramedics do you know or suspect that self-medicate with booze, pills, dope etc?
Do you ever feel like “Man, fuck that guy” or are all patients equal in your eyes?
What percentage of the cases you deal with are substance use/ abuse related
What’s the funniest/ craziest call you’ve ever had?
How often do hospitals go on diversion? I listen to a scanner in the major city I live in and seem to hear it frequently.
Why do you continue to essentially be a slave?
Have you ever got to a scene and thought ‘oh fuck, this is going to be atrocious’
If so, what was the problem?
If you could fill an entire Olympic sized swimming pool with one type of food to jump into, what would it be and why?
What’s the weirdest thing someone has had in their butt?
How much do you make per hour
I’m a police-officer.from a European country suffering from complex PTSD after 18y working the streets.
How prevalent is PTSD amongst your co-workers and do you have good care/benefits for people not being able to work anymore?
Paramedics have high rates of suicide. What are you doing to take care of yourself?
What are some of your personal safety rules and tips that you recommend, afrer all that you have seen at your job?
How do you decide who drives?
How often do you have “if I ever write a book, this call will be in it” moments?
What was the best/ most wholesome call you ever had?
You get one wave of the magic wand. What do you change about the world as relates to your job?
Are you a gamer? If so, does gaming (gore like Dead Space and others) help desensitize you to the realities of what you see?
I hear it really is better for the patient to not have CPR performed. This is only driven by medical ethical reasons. True?
Fire based, 3rd service or private?
can you describe how was being a paramedic during COVID like?
Why do you do it or what draws you to it?
With fatigue do you ever feel annoyed responding to ODs? I worked somewhere where we’d call like 7 times a day, and at times they stopped sending both paramedics up, just one would come and one would wait in the rig
What is your take on death. I had a family of 4, mom dad brother and i. We lived together. Dad died, horribly. Don’t need to get into details.
But the 3 of us don’t want to live much anymore. We’ve been locked in our separate rooms for 18 months and I’m contemplating kms because I can’t go on without my dad.
He died suddenly and was otherwise healthy, it wasn’t anticipated and we also went bankrupt because of it, but that’s a separate issue.
Do you think family members should live on, and if they do, how? I can’t imagine living this way for 30 years.
I’ve tried therapy. Unhelpful.
Do people ever call 911 for the free ambulance ride across town? I heard about this happening in Newark nj but not sure if true.
Having a friend who is a firefighter, I’ve seen countless people come up to him and ask him what his most gruesome story. It exhausts him. So, in the spirit of that, tell us about your best day, your biggest achievement, your greatest moment as paramedic.
What is the fastest land mammal?
Are you volunteer? why are these positions volunteer positions? Doesn’t make sense to me.
You get a lot of people who call for a medical emergency but turn out to just have a panic attack?
Do you get pissed when someone calls at 4AM and they appear to be OK? I’m that girl. I look totally fine when I’m in septic shock and the fever declaring the event usually spikes middle of the night. BP doesn’t drop initially. But I know that I am loopy and shouldn’t drive myself. So I call. After the first time I call and tell them what’s going on.
What is your favorite way of being thanked?
Is it true that EMS will sometimes stop care or not work as hard to save someone who is an organ donor?
Did you watch gore in your younger years? What I really mean is how did you get desensitized from graphic scenes?
Given the skills required, tasks, risks, and toll the job takes on Paramedics, what would be a good and fair compensation, and how does that compare to what compensation actually is?
Also, what’s the average career span of a paramedic?
Thank you for serving the public! ❤️
How much do you get paid?
When it comes to discussions about wages in this country Paramedics are commonly brought up as examples of how it’s not “fair” to raise the wages of a food service or whatever low income job to something within range of paramedics
Are you seeing an explosion of injuries in e-bike and e-scooter users?
My wife is in my contacts as (wife’s name)-ICE. In an emergency where I am unconscious will that actually be useful?
What’s the pay like and how long do you think you can stay in this job?
Have you ever been with someone who died and came back and they tell you a Near Death Experience? If so, does it make you believe in an afterlife?
How often do you have issues with men’s sexual health?/hear about issues with men’s sexual health?
Do you ever have that feeling of You caused this yourself so I don’t feel sorry for you with patients who appear to have a lifestyle that is very unhealthy? I’m talking more about people who appear to be intoxicated, high, heavy smokers, obese, or any number of measures of unhealthy habits.
I work in both the mental health and medical fields and have seen or work with a large number of individuals from all walks of life. I’ve never felt that any of the people deserve what is happening due to their own habits; more so that I feel compassion to want to help in any way I can. You never know what their life was like before the moment you see them, what their story is.
I often wonder if people working in the medical field feel that the person deserves what happened or is happening to them.
I’m a grappler. If you choke someone out training, do you put them into recovery position until they recover or lay them on their back and lift the legs to get blood flowing back to them? Or lay them on their back and do nothing?
How do I know if I’m having a heart attack?
Do you have armed medics for rougher areas? We do in my city and county.
Does cpr really work?
I was once in a car accident. I was dazed from some whiplash, and I was slow answering questions about how the accident happened. The police officer told the paramedic who came to examine me “He seems okay to me. I think he’s just minus 15.”
Do you know what that meant?
Whats the dumbest call youve ever been on?
I work fire in the hood.. im trying to think now… lol
Is it true that everyone has always had exactly “two beers”? I had an EMT friend once, and she said that if she ever asked anyone “how much have you had to drink?”, without fail, the answer is “two beers.”
How do you cope with the stress that the jobs causes? Also, thanks for all you do 🩵
So if hypothetically someone shoved the TV remote up their behind and couldn’t remove it, again hypothetically, would this warrant a trip to the hospital?
I appreciate your willingness to become and serve as a paramedic in the US. Yall deserve way better pay. The fact that yall take care of priceless beings on the daily is commendable.
I’m sure you see people in mental health crisis all the time and imagine law enforcement is often on scenes with you in those situations. What do you think we (society, government, etc) should change and do better with regards to helping those with mental health and addictions?
What do I do when I over does on Excedrin I feel really nauseous. It’s been a day I tried gagging myself I through up a little bit but it’s still bad
No questions but I wanna say thank you because most people couldn’t do this and we need you. So, thank you very much for what you do.
How’s your PTSD?
I was an Army medic and an EMT for many years.
The shit rarely bothered me until I retired, then it came with a vengeance. I don’t think humans are supposed to see that much trauma in one lifetime.
Try to Keep in check and thanks for what you do.
The closest ER to my house is a Christian affiliated hospital, which is not really my jam. The nurses are required to ask you if your spiritual needs are being fulfilled and talk to you about god, which is nonsense.
How does ambulance routing work, will I get sent there if I called an ambulance? Personally I don’t think this nonsense should even be allowed for ERs where people who call 911 may end up involuntarily. What are your thoughts on religious ERs?
I work in animal welfare and see a lot of horrible things. Just a message to say I see you and can relate on a certain level. I’m glad you have things you like to do on your off time like gardening (that’s my favorite decompression time). I’m currently in a state of adrenal fatigue and taking some time off. Thank you for what you do ❤️
I’m not here to ask questions. I’ve been a paramedic for 27 years. Worked on the box for 13, transitioned to an ALS engine. Retiring next year with 30. I’m broke both mentally and physically. On top of that I had 4 years active duty prior to employment, then over 25 years in the National Guard with multiple deployments (Combat MOS). Hang in there, it’s a tough life. I could literally write I book. 2 divorces, 2 grown kids, and 1 beautiful granddaughter. My longtime GF is a NP in the local ER, she doesn’t get what’s going on in my head. She comes from an upper middle class family. It seems I’ve checked all the right boxes in life. Perfect career (Civilian and Military), I belong to several professional and civic organizations, financially stable, but everyday is a struggle mentally. No, I’m not suicidal or homicidal, just BLAH. Sometimes I wonder what life would’ve have been like if I’d went to college, drove a minivan, golfed, and wore white New Balance Dad shoes.
Thank you for your service! I was in a bad car accident and the EMT put me at such ease at a scary time. However, I had a seizure for the first time and he kept asking me why I was sweating so much when I woke up. I’m like “dude, I have no idea what just happened” it’s just something that has stuck in my head for years. I have no idea why he was asking me that.
Whats the craziest diy stabilization situation youve encountered? Personal story cuz im not sure i phrased that understandably: i got some very judgemental looks one time when i rescued a hiker with a broken femur and some other less scary shit whilst backcountry skiing. I had his leg in a jury rigged traction splint and basically dragged him on a makeshift sledge nearly 6 miles. Never did get my ski pole and puffy back.
How often are TUBE’s performed? Wondering if it’s as bad as I have seen
Ever hooked up with a coworker in the ambulance or on the job?
Have you ever seen someone die from meth
I’m a nurse in an outpatient dialysis facility, how do you want me to give you report?
Do you feel resentment or judgemental when you have to treat someone who did not take care of their own health? (Smoking, obesity)
How much time do you spend transporting homeless people around?
Through your experiences do you believe in an after life?
Who was your favorite patient that you still remember?
No question, just a thank you. Not everyone can do that job.
What do you think about tv shows like Station 19?
I stubbed my toe at 3AM 4 weeks ago, should I call now or after lunch? I don’t want to wait in the lobby.
Fellow paramedic here, from the other side of the Atlantic ocean. Have you ever encountered a patient with takotsubo syndrome?
What was the dumbest question/situation you’ve had with law enforcement during your job duties that stuck out to you?
Dad was a paramedic, and most of his friends were too. Heard some doozies from all of them. I.E.- state trooper asking if they had controlled drugs in the ambulance and wanting to search it. 🤣
Do you guys rage when people refuse to get out of the way and block traffic? Ever “nudge” a car out of the way?
What’s the one bit of advice you’d give to the general public regarding first aid?
Why does it seem like paramedics take their sweet time when responding to emergencies? I don’t think I’ve ever seen one run or rush. I know that you need to do things the proper way but if there’s someone dying wouldn’t the few minutes you’d save by hurrying a little be the difference between life and death?
Do you have thoughts on how to address the drug epidemic – things what would either deter use or lessen harm? Or are we just screwed?
I’m the wife of a medical first responder. How can I support him on bad calls? Right now I offer space if he needs it and a listening ear, but what else can I do for him?
Why do people shit on IFT medics? I am one. (I lost my chance to go fire because I fucked up my knee playing rugby right after medic school so I didn’t choose it). But taking an intubated PT on 11 different IV meds and a balloon pump for a 2 hour drive to a bigger hospital is pretty hard to balance.
I wonder how paramedics deal with seeing horrible traumatic things on a daily basis. I think you all are heroes but I think that job would make me even more of a paranoid mom than I already am and give me terrible anxiety. I feel like you have to be super able to compartmentalize and detach after work to not let the things you’ve seen ruin your day/month/year. My friend is a nurse and she has told me stories of child abuse she witnessed (coat hangers stuck down throats, rape of toddlers etc.) and I just don’t understand how people get up every day and do these (very important jobs) without having intrusive thoughts in their lives when they are trying to sleep, or have a birthday party, or have sex etc. How?! Reading the news can make me have intrusive thoughts for weeks, and social media is always telling us new things we are supposed to be worried about. I would love to help people but I find myself more and more sticking my head in the sand because it is all too upsetting.
How do you handle dealing with awful trauma on a regular basis. Does it ever get any easier? I broke my wrist last year and now my sympathetic pain response to watching others in pain is almost debilitating. Do you just fall back on your training when you are dealing with the worst situations?
So what’s the process after you drop patient at the hospital? Do you guys clean the ambulance or does a cleaning crew do it? Is it cleaned after each patient? When is it restocked
Do you guys use the same ambulance the entire shift?
Are you paired with the same team each time or do you work with a different coworker each day?
Just want to say that I have the utmost respect for what you and EMTs do. Wish you all were compensated better. You’re literally life savers.
No questions but I’m a PA. Just want to say I appreciate all that you guys do.
I think about this a lot. For most of us not in your profession, or a nurse, doctor, police officer, social worker, etc., terrible traumatic events are usually a rare occurrence.
Many times people need therapy to help them cope with the memories of a terrible event, such as an act of violence against them or a loved one, a tragic accident, a sudden illness/emergency, etc.Even sometimes just witnessing an intense event can negatively affect and deeply change us and we have to process and cope.
But you all in the helping professions, this is your hourly life, your daily life, year after year. It seems to me there is only a certain amount of tragic absorption humans are capable of, yet many of you are in these professions for decades.
Genuine question – how do you cope and process with all the tragic, intense, difficult, gory, profoundly sad human events you see? It seems nearly impossible to me that you all would not be deeply affected in your own lives, of course you are that is obvious, but what I mean is, how do you cope with this side of your roles in a way that enables you to continue to do these jobs?
Personally I believe all those in the helping professions such as yours and medical and even law enforcement should be paid very highly, given free counseling as much as they need, and healing help like free massages and other soothing physical treatments, as nuts as that sounds, because no one could need it more.
A few weeks ago I had a fire event at my house, my cell phone inexplicably caught on fire, thank goodness for smoke detectors as I was not in the room but the alarms went off and it was quite a drama. These three incredible people arrived from the fire department, I was so grateful, all good cheer and bravery and helpful explanations and support. It all ended ok and I learned a lot from them about older devices, which my phone was and being in the room when a device is charging (no “blind charging” as they called it).
But the lasting thought was one I’ve often had, what does it take for people to get up every day and go to work, knowing the day will likely contain the worst day of other people’s lives, their tragedies and sorrowful events, and continue to dip into reservoirs of courage and resolve and strength and energy, how do people do this every hour of their working day? No obligation to answer, and thank you 🌈
Have you ever compromised your ethics by photographing or sharing comments with persons that are not part of a situation?
Is death painless with medication like Morphine while on Palliative care
How many alcohol related calls do you get? Either injuries or folks that are sick from drinking so long?
Why do Ambulance companies purposely bill direct to the patient instead of to their insurance? No matter how many times I or a family member has been taken by Ambulance to the hospital, we always get a bill even though we show our insurance cards to the ambulance operators before, during, or after drop off and they note it but still fail to bill the insurance.
Are the companies trying to trick patients into paying the higher cash rate?
What’s the ice cream scoop for in many ems vehicles?
What was the funniest patient encounter you had? Like just the dumbest series of coincidences, mishaps, or the patient being really stupid / legitimately hilarious.
My sister is an EMT and I’ve picked up that at least for her, the weird / stupid / funny is way more common than the gruesome.
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