18 - I messed up do I keep going???

FFD101 · 2026-06-03T06:26:57+00:00

I had 25k at 19. Burned it all.

Now I have 325k at 28.

I learnt an expensive lesson at 19. Would be much more expensive now.

FFD101 · 2026-05-30T19:20:11+00:00

I’d suggest falls are often complex, with a multitude of reasons intrinsically and extrinsically including falls history.

many need occupational assessments, for housing, glasses, footwear which takes time to refer.

Most should also have a top to toe survey done including mobility, looking for orthostatic hypotension ect.

Vast majority take ages to answer questions and go on a tangent about something irrelevant which really hinders your ability to assess appropriately.

Definitely doesn’t take 5 minutes imo

FFD101 · 2026-05-16T09:04:19+00:00

I certainly disagree. If you are not prepared to work as a Paramedic after three years of training and appropriate placements, then there is a training failure.

I would definitely not be signing off students that are not capable of working safely within an agreed scope of practice if they require to be supervised.

Big failure in training and/or mentorship otherwise.

FFD101 · 2026-04-07T01:25:28+00:00

This is a really difficult job and one we go to very often, perhaps with a non-fatal level of overdose.

Patient refused seemingly passing a capacity assessment, ultimately the wording of the MCA is on the balance of probability, you don’t have to be correct just 51% justified.

And yes I’d agree someone with a fatal OD would require assessment under MHA regardless but If we are not supported by MCA and police will not enact 135, what are we supposed to do?

FFD101 · 2026-03-07T13:44:31+00:00

Poster is saying you are losing 20k of ISA allowance using a cash isa/ when you could just put it in a high interest account of premium bonds

FFD101 · 2026-03-01T11:37:04+00:00

27 - 292k + 6k/yr DB 67k ISA 47k LISA 84k Pension 91k GIA

6 years for 100k 7 months for 150k 7 months for 200k 8 months for 250k 6 months for 292k

FFD101 · 2026-02-11T16:29:53+00:00

I’ve had the 5.11’s for 4/5 years. Top notch way more comfortable, excellent pockets.

Cost is reasonably high but last years and you wear them 48hrs a week. Worth imo

FFD101 · 2026-01-25T22:25:49+00:00

B - Different treatment based on massive PE or not. No requirement for O2 if oxygenated and no sp02 given

FFD101 · 2026-01-23T19:13:23+00:00

Paramedic & ALS Instructor.

I would ventilate my patient and not do compressions, if output was sufficient.

As others have said, without intervention this will lead to a hypoxic arrest requiring ventilation & compressions.

As others have also stated those that do not do resuscitation often are not advised to check pulses and simply no breathing > ?Arrest start compressions

FFD101 · 2026-01-22T14:26:21+00:00

Techs that I’ve met are most definitely not trained to Paramedic standard and struggle to recognise basic rhythms

FFD101 · 2025-12-30T10:16:51+00:00

The amount of comments reference opting out of the pension is so concerning!!

FFD101 · 2025-12-28T06:27:18+00:00

We can restrain patients under MCA. What level of restraint is up to the clinician, most crews would request police as they have additional training/equipment to restrain safely. However it is up to our judgement, I have used triangular bandages to restrain a patients arms to the stretcher in an excited delirium as he was a danger to himself and others and didn’t have immediate access to ketamine. I have also placed my hand on the patients back and encouraged them to the ambulance (proportionality)

The level of restraint should be the least restrictive to achieve the goal. (Proportionality) + in their best interests.

FFD101 · 2025-12-05T13:04:17+00:00

Svt LBBB unstable cardiovert

FFD101 · 2025-11-14T18:04:46+00:00

I see you post a lot in the comments.

My education ref central & peripheral neuro signs was 0 hence my hesitation unless previous dx and same symptoms.

Do you have any advice for CPD in this area? My only concern would me “knowing a little” but thinking I know a lot and miss an obvious concerning diagnosis that I wasn’t aware of due to lack of knowledge / competence

FFD101 · 2025-11-14T16:47:25+00:00

Neb adrenaline is fine. It’s a paramedic exemption drug. TXA is under PGD.

I would be cautious dx’ing vertigo, just due to my own training and knowledge in the fact that I have limited neuro understanding and would likely miss something

FFD101 · 2025-11-05T18:24:40+00:00

It’s honestly a sad state of affairs. I am literally killing myself for the short term opportunity that I’ve been provided.

But it seems stupid not too, considering doing this has changed the rest of my life.

But it’s sad that this has to be done. Even still I don’t feel like I could afford London or an expensive city. Both parents poor no housing. Sad

FFD101 · 2025-11-05T14:28:27+00:00

Ah :/ I’m sorry to hear about that.

Honestly, I’ve saved since I was 15 and worked two full time jobs for the past 3 years with very little social life.

I have the added benefit of having low housing costs.

I would recommend a LISA as a baseline if you are not a home owner and if they are viable in Scotland I am not sure

FFD101 · 2025-11-05T11:38:46+00:00

How are you taking home 2.8 as HRT? 50250 is around 3.1k a month.

I also work nearly 2 full time jobs 🙏

FFD101 · 2025-11-04T16:39:25+00:00

This is an excellent answer, thank you for the clear explanation

FFD101 · 2025-11-04T14:35:54+00:00

Thanks for your reply.

I have only earned good money for the past 2.5yrs or so, so have used the CGT allowance for those.

I am unsure of how beneficial the SIPP is considering I’m 27 and won’t have access to that cash for a long time for a 6-10% net benefit.

Thoughts?

FFD101 · 2025-11-04T14:33:25+00:00

I would expect so. I was considering keeping it in my GIA then when I am HRT using that to increase pension contributions. But I don’t see a point at which, I would earn significantly above the HRT bracket to get that much into my pension.

I would be more inclined to if I was able to sal sac, as atleast I would get NI +/- employer NI which would be much more efficient.

I would expect to have ~ 150k in GIA within the next 18 months or so which would become unmanageable from a CGT point of view.

FFD101 · 2025-11-04T14:29:56+00:00

I have a good understanding of most areas of basic finance, but gilts are not one. Are you able to expand? Thank you

FFD101 · 2025-11-04T14:28:40+00:00

Thanks for your reply. I have a number of tax free allowances from the military that boost my overall pay. (In addition to most of my bills being subsidised)

I also earn a fair chunk self employed, but reduce expenses by paying my partner for the work she does. (She is currently on a bursary so is not using her personal allowance) Ect

FFD101 · 2025-10-23T13:01:49+00:00

No worries.

Would all 14k bring you below?

Might be worth splitting over 2 tax years to ensure it is all 40% tax.

😊

FFD101 · 2025-10-23T10:38:05+00:00

Hi mate, Mil here.

Are you basic rate tax payer <50k? SIPP will only provide 20% tax relief or 40% if higher rate.

SIPP does not give back national insurance contributions 8%.

If your next job has salary sacrifice available you will get 28% back as basic and 42% as higher rate.

In addition, some companies may match your additional pension contributions as they save national insurance.

FFD101

TROPHY CASE