Beth's Blog

   When you work for a private company in EMS, you do a lot more transfers than you do emergency calls.  I get, really I do, transfers are the money makers for and private EMS company.  Unfortunately, all the time and money you spend on becoming an EMT or a Paramedic, can feel like a waste of time.  One thing people need to understand about transfers, is most of them are dialysis transports.  We pick patients up and take them to and from dialysis.  It’s not a bad gig.  Most of our patients are pleasant enough.  What I do not like is when people start calling our dialysis transports “Slinging kidneys” or “Glorified taxi sponsored by Medicare”.   One statement rings true, healthy people do not need dialysis.  One thing you should always consider is that it is usually several health problems that led to end stage renal disease.  Uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension and polycystic kidney diseases are the top risk factors.  It r...

One thing you definitely need when you work in EMS is a great sense of humor.  Most humor in this profession is completely inappropriate and dark, but in a funny way.  Sometimes, it's the humor that helps you get through your shift.  There are a bunch of unwritten rules that we follow everyday.  Some of them are completely inappropriate and hilarious!  For instance, Rule #3-If you drop a baby, fake a seizure.  #7-All bleeding stops eventually.  One of my favorites is rule #15-If it's wet, sticky and not yours, don't touch it! Without a good sense of humor, you will be burned out in no time. It's also fun to joke with each other.  Pointing out that one time where you made a huge blunder and everyone in the county heard about it within a few short hours.  You messed up big on the radio, now you are the butt of everyone's joke and even writing it on the white boards in the local hospitals EMS room.  Joking about the most ridiculous cal...

When you are fresh out of EMT class, you passed your National Registry tests, you get hired at a company and you are excited about finally being able to work the road. One of the most exciting things for all new EMT’s is the thought of running lights and sirens to a real life emergency call. There’s just something about it. Your blood starts pumping! Adrenalin is rushing through your body! You get all excited and nervous at the same time. The problem is, people really don’t understand the dangers of it.                                      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkLbG-n6_ic Even though everyone is taught what Due Regard is within the first couple of weeks of EMT school, it seems to go in one ear and out the other. Due Regard is the responsibility of the driv...

I have been in EMS for almost 7 years now.  I have seen things nobody should ever see.  I have saved lives.  I have been used as a taxi service.  I have been someones hand to hold.  I have been a shoulder to cry on.  I've been spat on.  I've been called every name in the book.  My years in EMS have been interesting to say the least.  The best part of my job, is that every call is different.  You never know what to expect, from a dialysis transport or a shooting.  The spectrum is very broad.                                           Everyone has their different reasons for going into EMS.  I just wanted to do something fun and I am a trauma junkie, so it worked out perfectly!  I was a stay at home mom, had been for 12 years.  When our youngest child went into Kindergarten, I wanted a career. I knew what I want...