Patients and patience: The life of a paramedic
FOURWAYS - Fourways Review spent the night with a group of paramedics.
The first call came just after 7pm.
In less than a minute, the EMER-G-MED Advanced Life Support vehicle RV06 was flying down the N1. A woman had fallen and broken her femur. Medical assistance was needed.
The life of a paramedic is one that is both exhilarating and unquestionably heroic, as they are the people who stand between life and death.
A behind the scenes glimpse of their work proves that they have hearts of steel – and they are willing to make sacrifices for the good of others.
They sit on freezing cold pavements waiting for the call to assist, they are forced to eat half-meals; re-heating their food countless times in between accident dispatches and emergencies. Above all, they seldom complain.
Natacha Kollmann, who was driving one of the EMER-G-MED ambulances, said there is no average day for them.
It was nearly impossible to predict what will happen on shifts: an entire shift on a Friday night can be spent waiting for a call, despite more people driving under the influence.
Calls in one shift for the average paramedic can range between none to over 40.
Volunteer paramedic at EMER-G-MED, Brian Balfe, said he usually worked a full shift every two weeks, and he had respect for the profession due to the camaraderie.
At the base station, it’s not uncommon for policemen and other emergency service workers to bond over a cup of coffee during shifts.
But as soon as it’s time to answer another call, they spring into response mode.
In a response vehicle traffic navigation at high speed is key, and advice from paramedics to other motorists is simple: move out of the way.
“Indicate that you are moving out of the way, without breaking speed. If you are unable to make way, do so when it is safe, but never slow down,” advised a group of paramedics.
When on scene they have to think on their feet, endangering their own lives while performing miracles for others’.
According to Danielle Dooley, also a volunteer paramedic, they sometimes have to dodge cars that ignore safety precautions, but it doesn’t mean the job is thankless.
On 22 July, Dooley went to an East Rand school with her colleagues, as a girl who survived a freak accident wanted to thank her saviours.
The life of a paramedic is unpredictable, demanding patience and bravery. The rewards – especially gratitude from patients – far outweigh the sacrifices.
