How to save a life

ER24 paramedic, Colin Job, who has been in the industry for 27 years, told the Highway Mail what life is like as a paramedic.

The Pinetown resident knew that he wanted to be a paramedic since he was a small boy. “I have always had a passion for helping people and I live for the adrenaline rush,” said Job.

According to Job he finds his career very rewarding.

“It is a great feeling to save a life. Not only do we save people, but we help them, and we have helped many people over the years. It is a very incredible feeling,” said Job.

The career can also be very humbling and difficult at times said Job.

“We deal with a lot of trauma and I still encounter incidents that shock and terrify me. The severity of the incidents have also become worse over the years. I believe that there is a general lack of respect, morals and discipline within society. That is why motorists don’t abide by the rules, why people attack and rob each other and why motorists drink and drive. There is no concept of consequences,” said Job.

According to Job he finds rape cases the hardest to deal with. “To this day I have never got used to responding to rape incidents. Personally I battle to deal with these incidents. There is a suffering that I cannot treat,” admits the passionate paramedic.

“You definitely have to have a passion for helping people,” said Job, when asked what advice he had for anyone considering pursuing a career as a paramedic.

“You need to be tough, but also a people’s person and very empathetic. The industry definitely chooses you. If you are considering a career in the industry for the flashing lights, glamour or drama you are not going to last,” added Job.

When asked how he copes with his traumatic career job said he talks about his experiences.

“Although we train our minds to kind of remain indifferent and distant to the patients that we treat, we still face a lot of trauma daily, so personally, I talk to my colleagues and family and it helps me deal with my experiences,” said Job.

Jobs also explained that it is especially effective to discuss his experiences with his co-workers, as they have often experienced similar incidents and can relate to his feelings. “It helps to talk to them, as they understand, and can give advice on how they dealt with similar incidents,” said Job.

According to Job being a paramedic is more than a career.

He told the Highway Mail that the paramedics have become family. “We support each other, and that also makes the job worth while. It is fantastic to know that my partner has my back,” explained Job.

Job also admits that his experiences as a paramedic has made him paranoid when it comes to his family and friends.

“My sons say that I am too strict, but I see this everyday, so I am constantly warning them and panicking. As a father I can often relate to the victims and when I have to treat a child that is the same age as my sons it really hits home”, adds Job.

According to Job the life of a paramedic is also extremely demanding as they have no set hours or shift. “I work the day shift so I generally work from Mondays to Fridays from 7am to 4pm, but if I am called out to an incident at ten minutes before 4pm, I have to report to the scene and remain there until all of the victims have been treated, ” said Job.