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EMT: how difficult was it to work in a moving environment?
when traveling in an ambulance I know there can be bumps and other obstacles in the road literally and figuratively so I'm just wondering the process of getting familiar with working in that environment .
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Josh’s Answer
Working in the back of an ambulance is something that takes practice. Luckily the majority of the time the ambulance is not driving rapidly or erratically. It is the drivers responsibility to operate the vehicle safely and their skill reflects how easily it is to work in the back. Paramedics learn how to brace themselves against the bench seat or the stretcher. They can also utilize techniques like standing on tip-toes (sounds counter-intuitive, I know). Many modern ambulances have blinkers or brake lights on the back wall of the ambulance to allow the provider to see what is happening as it happens. Communication from the driver is also important. It is common to hear the driver yell something such as "train tracks" as they near them in order to give the provider time to prepare. Seatbelts are meant to be utilized during the entire time in the back unless they interfere with patient care. Standard seatbelts make the patient care nearly impossible and some ambulances are installed with unique systems that allow more movement will still provided the safety restraint. Motion sickness is something that can happen, but usually moving around takes your mind off of the movement of the ambulance.
Thanks for the help.
andrea
Updated
Kimberly’s Answer
We have seat belts for when we are sitting still.
When we do have to move around, we use the handrail that runs down the center of the ceiling and grab rails that are near the end of the bench seat and the work station. We can also hold the head of the stretcher, edges of cabinets, the jump seat and anything else secure and steady.
Most of us can move around quite easily and it gets easier with time.
When we do have to move around, we use the handrail that runs down the center of the ceiling and grab rails that are near the end of the bench seat and the work station. We can also hold the head of the stretcher, edges of cabinets, the jump seat and anything else secure and steady.
Most of us can move around quite easily and it gets easier with time.
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Maria’s Answer
I'm not an EMT, but I did some research that will hopefully be helpful. According to NHTSA, 84% of EMS providers do not wear a seat belt because it interferes with their ability to do their job delivering patient care. Citation - https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/safety-standards-ambulances-stat.
This article in EMS1 talks about new restraints that keep EMT's safe while giving them the freedom of movement. https://www.ems1.com/ems-products/vehicle-equipment/articles/new-seat-belts-allow-medics-to-tend-to-patients-stay-safe-c6NmPNTDXleVLCay/
I imagine the focus on patient care makes the turns and bumps less noticeable, and, like any job, you get used to the work environment pretty quickly.
Go by your local fire station to ask about their experiences with moving vehicles
This article in EMS1 talks about new restraints that keep EMT's safe while giving them the freedom of movement. https://www.ems1.com/ems-products/vehicle-equipment/articles/new-seat-belts-allow-medics-to-tend-to-patients-stay-safe-c6NmPNTDXleVLCay/
I imagine the focus on patient care makes the turns and bumps less noticeable, and, like any job, you get used to the work environment pretty quickly.
Maria recommends the following next steps:
Thank you for sharing your perspective.
andrea
Updated
Samantha’s Answer
It takes some getting used to, but it’s not too bad! I call it surfing (even though I’ve never actually surfed). With your boots on it has a lot more traction than a normal shoe, so it’s pretty easy to do as long as you can balance. Motion sick can be rough, but if you sit backwards instead of sideways it makes it a little better
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Anca’s Answer
Hello there. When I was a student like you I had the same doubt. My first year like a doctor I volunteered on an ambulance and it was difficult at the beginning. I have car sick so it was more challenging, but after all the good things that we did and managed to help so many lives everything gets better. Now, after a lot of years, I have to say that my car sick disappeared. Don't let your fears stop you from doing what you like!!!!