11 years as a medic in the USA, everyday i bounce between hating my job and loving it, this job isn't all blood and guts (although there is enough of it) what will stick with me for life isn't the shootings or traumas, its seeing people in deep depression, drug abuse, grief and sorrow. watching another human at their lowest moment is extremely humbling, watching someone die slowly and painfully from illness or disease will make anyone rethink their life's choices. my whole career is summed up in a phrase my mentor said to me once " you cant live everyday like its your last, but you can love like its your last, cause one day it just might be"
Thank you for sharing this… I’m new to the EMS field but the advice from your mentor is something every human should live by.. sometimes love (platonic) can be great medicine to someone with emotional wounds..
I see the crying family members. I smile for them, the ill and injured…because they have someone that cares. Then feel sad.. who will cry me…my cats when they get hungry lol
Yeah....I am realitively new to the feild (16 months) .....but my experience is primarily with pschychiatric transport, the crying, suicidal child rape victims are hard. And, sometimes when I look at a kid that's tried to kill themselves 16 times, I think, "there's no shot to fix that." I can't put a tourniquet on someone's bleeding soul or defibrillate schizophrenia and that takes time to learn to accept. And, sometimes I also find that the family members are rougher to deal with emotionally than the patient. Holding a crying wife cuts more than looking at the dead man in front of me.
@@AngelDeLoera-sy4ty sorta in your boat, recently started working at an EMS company . Hopefully your local companies offer to put you through paramedics school. Take the time to learn and don't rush. But the program, depending on where, is 6-18 months. But fr, just take it in, don't rush.
Go into as little or as much depth as you'd like but what are some of these life skills you gained? Being from NYC, i can only imagine the stories you carry with you
I'm an aspiring EMT and these insights and testimonies really do put a lot of perspective into the profession. I do want to be a Paramedic, so it's quite inspiring to hear their experiences. Thanks for this.
although its a niche job... you guys are the Earth angles that have declared war with death. You guys make the grim reaper's job hard af! Be proud that you guys are the first line of defense. You guys have my utmost respect and i look forward to working along side you guys. I started an EMT prep course not to long ago. its overwhelming but i rise to the challenge...
I'm a 45 father of five here in Tassie, Aus. For 20 years I've worked for Coles in a DC. Today I'm taking the first step to become a paramedic. I'm doubting myself because of my age.
@@muaaditz Thanks mate! I've decided to put it on hold for a year as i have back surgery coming up, a spinal fusion so best to see the outcome of that first.
That dude said it.............its unacceptable to abuse Paramedics, nurses, doctors, porters, its unacceptable. Its also insane when you think about it, the very people who are trying to help you are the ones you're abusing. How messed up is that?
It's becoming more and more common in Australia. I've had two guns, knives, and syringes pulled on me, grabbed, pushed, punched plus countess incidents of getting bodily fluid intentionally flicked in my face. It's not paramedics copping it too, but especially ED staff.
@@eoinMB3949 Speaking on behalf of people I work with, most assaults come from family members. Emotions run high, and people expect magic to happen. Drug addicted patients don't have that same thought process as others and will often be aggressive to people trying to help. Often too, it's not the patient who has called us, and they think they don't need our help.
@@eoinMB3949 Because people don't know how to deal, or they've watched too much TV where everything works out for everyone, or they're just assholes to begin with.
4 year paramedic here. I got licensed during the start of the covid pandemic. And let me tell you, it was very stressful starting out, but I worked through it. And to piggyback on what these paramedics are saying. It is 100 % accurate. I learned how precious life could truly be, and I never take it for granted.
This is lovely. It’s only in a capacity like this…..that I get to hear OTHER folks speak of my own experiences the same way. ( it just doesn’t happen in the common area over a sandwich ) And being fiercely patient advocate n’ all ( really the best part of the work ) this encourages.
Dont do it. unless you live in a good area. I live in a bad city and it was awful doing ems, the few rewarding moments was not worth the cost of your mental health.
@@s1rm0rr1lswdsx3 I can actually agree with this. I’m outside of Detroit and would never work in Detroit after hearing about all the burn out and horror stories that come from that city
28 yr Paramedic here (38 in EMS total). It is a love/hate relationship sometimes. Positives, you learn what 'serious' means, down side...very dark and sarcastic humor.
dang i feeeeel that girl who said bc of the show house. literally watched that show when i was 7 & took a lot of notes on the show as i started rewatching it over and over (i was an obsessive kid with tv shows for some reason) and i had a whole book with diagnoses and symptoms treatments etc😵💫🤣
The story of the patient reaching out his hand and dying in the ambulance is haunting me. He wanted to die at home -- should have never been taking to the hospital in the first place. And no family rode with him? At least he wasn't alone in his final moments, and what an intimate experience to share with a total stranger in the back of a vehicle.
Loved this video, great content. I would just like to make one little suggestion, I think it would've been better if there was less music in the video so we can focus on what the paramedics were saying more. Especially during the section where they were talking about their most memorable moments. In my opinion, the dramatic music was uneccessary but overall, I enjoyed hearing their perspectives and I think it's important to give a platform to such underappreciated members of our society.
Okay I work in a seriously busy part of a big city with a lot of violence, I genuinely wish my area of service wasn’t as intense and trauma heavy as it is. I do maybe 30-40% trauma calls on any given shift, it’s a LOT to handle sometimes, I’ve been thinking of moving out of the city just to have more like 5-10% trauma instead. Like, I would kill for 90% medical calls even though some of them can be rly sad and heart wrenching.
i relate so much to the guy in this video. i am considering being a paramedic but i also want to be a writer. i wont make money acting or writing but i will try to keep it as a side thing if it is possible.
3 year paramedic here. I once had a call for a 17 year old girl who tried to kill herself by chugging 30 pills. Sad, right? Well, apperently no. We got an update to the call, she chugged 30 vitamin D pills, and then threw them all up. Call me evil, but me and my partner on that shift, we laughed so hard, we laughed all the way to her house, and we couldnt stop chuckling in front of the patient.
I am 63 years of age and wanted to be a para medic but i was told that i am to old to take up the training .What a load of bull shit . I served in the forces for 9 years so my medical training was and is the best that you can get . I still want to be a para medic and feel that some maturity would certainty help .The health service should not be turning away people that want to serve as a para medic . Retirement age is rising so why be an ageist service . I can do the job and can be trained so this is so bloody stupid . We could help the younger crews cope with PTSD and fell much better about life . Now another thing i was a recovery driver for 4 years and have seen just about everything when it comes to serious car accidents .Down to decapitations and loss of limbs so why cant this be taken in to consideration . Its all wrong .
A woman in my EMT course is 67. You are definitely not too old. I am absolutely loving it so far, it's such an incredible job and there are many people over the age of 60 in this workforce. I say go for it! Find another place that will accept you.
Australian paramedic aged in late 50s here; Question number one you'd need to ask yourself is how's your fitness level? Would you pass the beep test and heavy lifting requirements? Question 2; Mandatory retirement age is 65, and you'd still have three years of university and a year as an intern before being a fully-fledged paramedic. Question 3; Are you happy to work 12-hour shifts that aren't family friendly? I get that some 63-year-olds probably run rings around me health and fitness wise. It's an extremely competitive field, and it's not a case of how good you are, but how much better you are than the next applicant. When I applied there were some 3,500 applicants for about 50 positions. The language, maths and spatial relations tests were the real tipping point. You only made it to the next stage if you were in the top 2%, which equated to a minimum score of 95% we were later told.
@DaveChip-vx9ln I would keep trying if I were you, keep knocking on doors, don't give up. Someone will give you a shot. In the meantime why not do a pre- paramedic course? Or you could become a physician associate (PA). There are lots of options. Sure some people will attempt to hold your age against you, that's the nature of the beast but look upon these things as tests to be passed. Do you give up and complain when someone closes a door in your face or do you push on regardless? This is the way it goes, life throws these people at you in order to test your resolve
Is there by any chance for nurse to work as a paramedic? Do we need to go back to school? Or any curriculums? Maybe finish some kind of bachelor degree?
Some of these stories seem fabricated, as a 20 year paramedic in a big metropolis, they seem unreal. I’ve seen a lot but this sounds like a bad episode of emergency lol
Which story seems fabricated? I admit that restraining a Pt and cannulating them seems a bit more stupid than heroic. But everything they talk about seems very real and quite restrained. I've got way more dramatic stories than these, but as I'm sure you know it's often the smaller job that catches you off guard and sticks with you. I wish you well.
@@MattSaysRelax Just a side note Australia is very rural and I have been to jobs where they sound dramatic but are very real. And restraining is not only for our safety but the safety of the patient as well.
As an Australian paramedic, everything here is realistic. Having a 20-year-old paramedic though is virtually impossible here though. Graduate high school at 17, graduate university at 20, then a year as an intern.
11 years as a medic in the USA, everyday i bounce between hating my job and loving it, this job isn't all blood and guts (although there is enough of it) what will stick with me for life isn't the shootings or traumas, its seeing people in deep depression, drug abuse, grief and sorrow. watching another human at their lowest moment is extremely humbling, watching someone die slowly and painfully from illness or disease will make anyone rethink their life's choices. my whole career is summed up in a phrase my mentor said to me once " you cant live everyday like its your last, but you can love like its your last, cause one day it just might be"
Thank you for sharing this… I’m new to the EMS field but the advice from your mentor is something every human should live by.. sometimes love (platonic) can be great medicine to someone with emotional wounds..
I see the crying family members. I smile for them, the ill and injured…because they have someone that cares. Then feel sad.. who will cry me…my cats when they get hungry lol
12 years (and ongoing) Cdn. Paramedic. My sentiments exactly.
Yeah....I am realitively new to the feild (16 months) .....but my experience is primarily with pschychiatric transport, the crying, suicidal child rape victims are hard.
And, sometimes when I look at a kid that's tried to kill themselves 16 times, I think, "there's no shot to fix that." I can't put a tourniquet on someone's bleeding soul or defibrillate schizophrenia and that takes time to learn to accept.
And, sometimes I also find that the family members are rougher to deal with emotionally than the patient. Holding a crying wife cuts more than looking at the dead man in front of me.
wow @@Lorena-tx8yy , your comment hits hard
As a paramedic student, I sincerely appreciate this video.
How long was your course ? I just finished my EMT class but am considering doing paramedic school as soon as I can
in New Zealand its 3 years but you can cut it down with EMT experience I believe@@AngelDeLoera-sy4ty
@@AngelDeLoera-sy4ty sorta in your boat, recently started working at an EMS company . Hopefully your local companies offer to put you through paramedics school. Take the time to learn and don't rush.
But the program, depending on where, is 6-18 months.
But fr, just take it in, don't rush.
I start the 4th
10 year NYC paramedic here. Many don’t understand how autonomous we are and how many beautiful applicable life skills we attain from this job.
Go into as little or as much depth as you'd like but what are some of these life skills you gained? Being from NYC, i can only imagine the stories you carry with you
I'm an aspiring EMT and these insights and testimonies really do put a lot of perspective into the profession. I do want to be a Paramedic, so it's quite inspiring to hear their experiences. Thanks for this.
Checking in, did you decide to go through with it?
@owenlaw6216 I'm a full time EMT now about 7 months in. Love what I do and fully intend on becoming a Medic.
@@TheFreak1407beautiful! Good luck on your journey!
although its a niche job... you guys are the Earth angles that have declared war with death. You guys make the grim reaper's job hard af! Be proud that you guys are the first line of defense. You guys have my utmost respect and i look forward to working along side you guys. I started an EMT prep course not to long ago. its overwhelming but i rise to the challenge...
nice im reading this now and im assuming u are an emt now?
I'm a 45 father of five here in Tassie, Aus. For 20 years I've worked for Coles in a DC. Today I'm taking the first step to become a paramedic. I'm doubting myself because of my age.
Age aint nothing but a number. You got this man.
@@muaaditz Thanks mate! I've decided to put it on hold for a year as i have back surgery coming up, a spinal fusion so best to see the outcome of that first.
@@SassyXR6007 wish you all the best!
@@SassyXR6007good luck!
@@SassyXR6007How are you holding up after surgery?
You are all hero's & as a second year student paramedic, I hope to be the greatest paramedic I can be too like you guys 💚
That dude said it.............its unacceptable to abuse Paramedics, nurses, doctors, porters, its unacceptable. Its also insane when you think about it, the very people who are trying to help you are the ones you're abusing. How messed up is that?
It's becoming more and more common in Australia. I've had two guns, knives, and syringes pulled on me, grabbed, pushed, punched plus countess incidents of getting bodily fluid intentionally flicked in my face. It's not paramedics copping it too, but especially ED staff.
@coover65 The question is why? Why would anyone abuse the people trying to help them?
@@eoinMB3949 Speaking on behalf of people I work with, most assaults come from family members. Emotions run high, and people expect magic to happen. Drug addicted patients don't have that same thought process as others and will often be aggressive to people trying to help. Often too, it's not the patient who has called us, and they think they don't need our help.
It's unacceptable to abuse anyone.
@@eoinMB3949 Because people don't know how to deal, or they've watched too much TV where everything works out for everyone, or they're just assholes to begin with.
Most paramedics are awesome. As your patients we really do put so much trust in you with our lives. Thank you!
I’m about to qualify as a paramedic! Final exams today and tomorrow thank you for this video!
OMG how did it go????
@@bookwerm4life19 I just got my results and I PASSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@@colmb17 legend. stay up bro
@@colmb17 Congratulations. What's your next step? Here in Australia it's apply for a position and spend a year as an intern.
Congratulations 🎊 🎉
As a 67 year ild Central Highlands resident. Thank you, Ambulance Victoria. You are all stellar.
Paul and Demi are in 2024 Ambulance Australia! They are both amazing!
Love you guys! It takes strength and life experience to show vulnerability like you did. May your paths be long and prosperous!🙌🏼
4 year paramedic here. I got licensed during the start of the covid pandemic. And let me tell you, it was very stressful starting out, but I worked through it.
And to piggyback on what these paramedics are saying. It is 100 % accurate. I learned how precious life could truly be, and I never take it for granted.
This was so moving - Paul especially, so engaging!!
I cant imagine the stress as a emt/ paramedic. They need a money raise just base on the stress level they are having.
This is lovely. It’s only in a capacity like this…..that I get to hear OTHER folks speak of my own experiences the same way. ( it just doesn’t happen in the common area over a sandwich ) And being fiercely patient advocate n’ all ( really the best part of the work ) this encourages.
I’m working in ems now. Do it. It’s incredibly rewarding. Obviously downsides. But it’s such an amazing career
Glad to hear! Any updates?
Dont do it. unless you live in a good area. I live in a bad city and it was awful doing ems, the few rewarding moments was not worth the cost of your mental health.
@@s1rm0rr1lswdsx3 I can actually agree with this. I’m outside of Detroit and would never work in Detroit after hearing about all the burn out and horror stories that come from that city
Started recently as a volunteer medic with the Order of Malta, I hope to be a paramedic when I grow up and this is a cool video to see.
EVEN THOUGH THEY DON'T THINK SO, THEY ARE HEROES.
28 yr Paramedic here (38 in EMS total). It is a love/hate relationship sometimes. Positives, you learn what 'serious' means, down side...very dark and sarcastic humor.
Just want to say thank you to all paramedics around the world.
Damn! Absolute, bloody legends 👊🏼
dang i feeeeel that girl who said bc of the show house. literally watched that show when i was 7 & took a lot of notes on the show as i started rewatching it over and over (i was an obsessive kid with tv shows for some reason) and i had a whole book with diagnoses and symptoms treatments etc😵💫🤣
The story of the patient reaching out his hand and dying in the ambulance is haunting me. He wanted to die at home -- should have never been taking to the hospital in the first place. And no family rode with him? At least he wasn't alone in his final moments, and what an intimate experience to share with a total stranger in the back of a vehicle.
Now Paul is on ambulance australia so he can say he became a TV star!
Loved this video, great content. I would just like to make one little suggestion, I think it would've been better if there was less music in the video so we can focus on what the paramedics were saying more. Especially during the section where they were talking about their most memorable moments. In my opinion, the dramatic music was uneccessary but overall, I enjoyed hearing their perspectives and I think it's important to give a platform to such underappreciated members of our society.
You are all very much appreciated. ❤
so inspirational ❤
Okay I work in a seriously busy part of a big city with a lot of violence, I genuinely wish my area of service wasn’t as intense and trauma heavy as it is. I do maybe 30-40% trauma calls on any given shift, it’s a LOT to handle sometimes, I’ve been thinking of moving out of the city just to have more like 5-10% trauma instead. Like, I would kill for 90% medical calls even though some of them can be rly sad and heart wrenching.
This made me cry
Thanks for doing this.
This was so beautiful❤
i relate so much to the guy in this video. i am considering being a paramedic but i also want to be a writer. i wont make money acting or writing but i will try to keep it as a side thing if it is possible.
Amazing video
This job should pay waayyyyy more
Yess Demi! ❤
This was much needed ❤
Applying to become an AAP/TEMT atm, interview tomorrow :D
3 year paramedic here. I once had a call for a 17 year old girl who tried to kill herself by chugging 30 pills. Sad, right? Well, apperently no. We got an update to the call, she chugged 30 vitamin D pills, and then threw them all up. Call me evil, but me and my partner on that shift, we laughed so hard, we laughed all the way to her house, and we couldnt stop chuckling in front of the patient.
You're gross
I am 63 years of age and wanted to be a para medic but i was told that i am to old to take up the training .What a load of bull shit . I served in the forces for 9 years so my medical training was and is the best that you can get . I still want to be a para medic and feel that some maturity would certainty help .The health service should not be turning away people that want to serve as a para medic . Retirement age is rising so why be an ageist service . I can do the job and can be trained so this is so bloody stupid . We could help the younger crews cope with PTSD and fell much better about life . Now another thing i was a recovery driver for 4 years and have seen just about everything when it comes to serious car accidents .Down to decapitations and loss of limbs so why cant this be taken in to consideration . Its all wrong .
A woman in my EMT course is 67. You are definitely not too old. I am absolutely loving it so far, it's such an incredible job and there are many people over the age of 60 in this workforce. I say go for it! Find another place that will accept you.
Australian paramedic aged in late 50s here; Question number one you'd need to ask yourself is how's your fitness level? Would you pass the beep test and heavy lifting requirements? Question 2; Mandatory retirement age is 65, and you'd still have three years of university and a year as an intern before being a fully-fledged paramedic. Question 3; Are you happy to work 12-hour shifts that aren't family friendly? I get that some 63-year-olds probably run rings around me health and fitness wise. It's an extremely competitive field, and it's not a case of how good you are, but how much better you are than the next applicant. When I applied there were some 3,500 applicants for about 50 positions. The language, maths and spatial relations tests were the real tipping point. You only made it to the next stage if you were in the top 2%, which equated to a minimum score of 95% we were later told.
@DaveChip-vx9ln I would keep trying if I were you, keep knocking on doors, don't give up. Someone will give you a shot. In the meantime why not do a pre- paramedic course? Or you could become a physician associate (PA). There are lots of options. Sure some people will attempt to hold your age against you, that's the nature of the beast but look upon these things as tests to be passed. Do you give up and complain when someone closes a door in your face or do you push on regardless? This is the way it goes, life throws these people at you in order to test your resolve
Legends
Is there by any chance for nurse to work as a paramedic?
Do we need to go back to school? Or any curriculums? Maybe finish some kind of bachelor degree?
The man at 7:20 said “there’s no fuckin way a gay is going to be the last person I see before I die”
Harris Dorothy Miller Carol Robinson Laura
Some of these stories seem fabricated, as a 20 year paramedic in a big metropolis, they seem unreal. I’ve seen a lot but this sounds like a bad episode of emergency lol
Which story seems fabricated? I admit that restraining a Pt and cannulating them seems a bit more stupid than heroic. But everything they talk about seems very real and quite restrained. I've got way more dramatic stories than these, but as I'm sure you know it's often the smaller job that catches you off guard and sticks with you. I wish you well.
@@MattSaysRelax Just a side note Australia is very rural and I have been to jobs where they sound dramatic but are very real. And restraining is not only for our safety but the safety of the patient as well.
As an Australian paramedic, everything here is realistic. Having a 20-year-old paramedic though is virtually impossible here though. Graduate high school at 17, graduate university at 20, then a year as an intern.
@@coover65 20 year paramedic. Not 20 year old
@@thomaswilson813 Haha, my bad. I've got 26 years coming up. It's certainly changed a hell of a lot in the decades. Where abouts do you work?
This was all great except for when the dude started talking about his sexuality 🙄
What'd you do lad bible? Find the one gay photogenic gay guy in Australia and some asian lesbian and now its hip and cool?
Did you go out of your way to find the most dramatic dude possible? Cringed the whole time bro.
Woah, they have normal people in Australia too!?!?
This was all great except for when the dude started talking about his sexuality 🙄
That's their ENTIRE identity. It is first and last, what defines them in every way. Imagine a straight person living that way lol