Reflection of the Lone Responder

 EMTs' Prayer

GOD....Grant me the ability to give emergency care.
With skillful hands, knowledgeable mind,
and tender loving care.
Help me deal with everything,
when lives are on the line.

To see the worst, administer aid, and ease a worried mind.
So help me as I go today, accept what fate may be.
Touch these hands, use this mind, help this EMT.
Amen.

(~ Author Unknown)

 

This morning I was paged out to an "obvious death".  I had only been awake for a few minutes, so I threw on an old EMS shirt, grabbed my watch, keys, pager and ran out the door.  Made it to the station in record time, I'm sure.  In those few minutes I said a quick prayer asking for help on this call (not as beautiful as the one above, but it was sincere nonetheless).  I was the first one at the station!  That's never happened before!  I'm usually the last one.  I pulled out the squad and waited for at least one other responder.  And I waited and waited.  I can't believe this, I thought, surely someone else will show up!  A second page for station 80.  My next thoughts were, "Crap, no one else is coming.  Can I go by myself? Should I call enroute?  What should I do when I get there? This is not cool. I should know what to do.  Why am I freaking out? Breathe." 

 

I saw a police car come around the corner, so I followed it to the scene.  Grabbed the jump bag and walked to the front door.  Police were already there.  Family directed me to the patient.  Brigham Ambulance pulled in just a second later (Thank you!) and they took over. 

 

They ran an EKG.  I collected some information from the family, the mortuary was called and we left.  Not that stressful, right?  Well.....  

 

In reflection:
 

A)  I don't like responding to calls by myself. 
 

B)  I need to go back over my EMS book.
   

C)  I need to be a lot more familiar with the EMS equipment on the squad.
 

D)  Next call, I'll be more prepared. 
 

E)  Plan of salvation hit home today.  Birthdates, death dates...It's really real.  I knew that already, but I guess you never know when your time here will end.   Good reminder today not to take life for granted and live each day purposefully.
 

F)  I'm annoyed with myself because I felt like I didn't know what I was doing.  And I should.  I've been EMT certified for 9 years now.  I guess today it really struck me how important just plain old experience is.  You can know everything in the book, but that isn't enough.  You just can't just show up and wait for others to tell you what needs to be done (I guess that's just what I have always done it the past), you have got to have plan.  Got to know what you are going to do, what needs to be done, be able to take charge, but also be able to take commands.  Be able to work from an interdisciplinary respect.

Definite learning experience today.  Grateful for it.  Can't wait for the next call, because I'll be ready!