No two shifts are alike. You can have quiet hours interrupted by an alarm that demands everything you've got. That alternation between calm and high intensity is part of the trade, and that's why your routines must be rock solid.
§Ready for deployment
The shift starts by checking the vehicle and equipment. Is the oxygen filled? Does the defibrillator work? Are medicines and bandages in place? That check is not a formality — it determines whether you have what you need when the alarm sounds.
§From alarm to accident site
When the alarm sounds you get information about what awaits. On the way out you mentally and professionally prepare for the task. On site you first create an overview: is there danger how many are affected and what is wrong with the patient?
- 01Ensure the scene is safe for you and the patient
- 02Create a quick overview of the situation
- 03Conduct a systematic patient assessment
- 04Begin treatment according to the guidelines
§Treatment and transport
You examine the patient systematically and treat according to current guidelines. At the same time you talk to the patient — a calm voice and an explanation means enormously much to a person who is scared. During transport you monitor the patient and report to the receiving hospital.
§Handover and completion
At the hospital, you hand over the patient with a clear handover: what has happened, what have you observed, and what have you done. After that, the car is prepared for the next task and you document the process. After difficult tasks, it is important to talk with colleagues — it helps you process what you have seen.
A good tip for someone new to the trade: trust your routines. When you are under pressure it is the well-practised systematic habits that carry you through.