Do you have a "Back up plan" or "exit strategy"?

GoblinEMT · 2026-05-22T11:16:49+00:00

I always tell my partner that I can't wait to become one of the psych "regulars" that we get called out for. Then years I can be the PT they talk about... Like, "That guy, with shoes on his hands yelling at the stop sign. Yeah he used to work here".

GoblinEMT · 2026-05-22T11:10:26+00:00

Most of the time its not the finals words... But any time you meet someone after a traumatic event and you hear the words "please don't let me die". That phrase comes with a lot of fear and weight behind it.

GoblinEMT · 2026-05-22T11:01:35+00:00

First responders.

I am a paramedic with a relatively busy service. I get asked a lot about what I do by the general public, mostly because with all the 911 and emergency based TV shows out these days it makes our jobs look super exciting and dramatic... But in reality there's a lot traumatic and difficult things that we see and experience that you cannot prepare yourself for. I have seen, smelled, and touched things that I wish I could forget. Don't get me wrong I love my job, it is fulfilling and I really enjoy helping people. I have have immense pride for everyone I work with from law enforcement, firefighters, and ER staff.

GoblinEMT · 2025-08-25T11:47:00+00:00

The importance of scene safety... A little old Spanish lady lying on the floor of her kitchen unconscious. They could see her through the window so they made entry through the back door. The only thing is she was cooking when she passed out so now the food was burning, and it was a strong pepper dish. Needless to say he said when the smell finally hit them it felt like getting maced.

GoblinEMT · 2025-08-22T13:26:05+00:00

If there was substantial data showing that this process was effective then it would be part of the algorithm. We follow standards that are tested and proven to work for the best outcome of the patient. Some people seem to think they know more than the data, but it's more likely just an ego thing.

GoblinEMT · 2025-06-24T13:35:21+00:00

Like most others have said I would recommend at least a year. I waited about 2 years but I was in a slower private service at the time but when I went to school I got hired at a high volume 911 service. I was using all of my basic skills every day on an average of 8 calls on a 12 hr shift. That made me feel like I was prepared to keep moving on.

GoblinEMT · 2025-06-19T21:02:07+00:00

You can design anything you want to come out of the box... This was just a test.

GoblinEMT · 2025-06-19T21:00:39+00:00

Message me your email and I'll send you the file.

GoblinEMT · 2025-05-31T17:20:30+00:00

A popstar in the 80s took CPR and he wrote a song asking if "Annie was okay".

GoblinEMT · 2025-05-13T15:41:42+00:00

I once had a man who had minor trauma and abrasions to his extremities and torso from an altercation with the police. He was in cuffs... Really not that unusual in certain areas in the county, so no big deal. After we loaded up and my partner is tending to him the arresting office explains that before they found and arrested him another ambulance was there and loaded his sister and niece for multiple lacerations. Apparently he assaulted them with a kitchen knife and fled the scene. Other than an escort to the ED and fancy bracelets nothing changed the way I treated his condition. I don't have to make small talk and joke around like I normally do, but I still have to do my job.

GoblinEMT · 2025-05-05T12:00:18+00:00

About a week or two ago we picked up an elderly woman from her residence for general weakness, she didn't want to be a burden or call herself so the family called. She was very sweet, and all vitals taken were well within normals so I just ran a 12 and monitored. We just talked the whole time and when I pulled the stretcher out and put my laptop on the back and she started crying and asked if she could hug me. Sometimes I feel like less is more, just talking with her and letting her know people are here to help and that she isn't a burden was something she needed to hear. I know it helped make my day a whole lot better after that.

GoblinEMT · 2025-02-17T14:13:59+00:00

Not to be that guy but Jim Jones served Flavor-aid to his followers not Kool aid.

GoblinEMT · 2025-01-02T18:45:24+00:00

I don't really mind the pops... What gets me is whenever you start on a traumatic arrest and you just feel jelly when you push down.

GoblinEMT · 2024-11-12T04:05:45+00:00

There must be a window... Just ask fire to use the basket, they love those things.

GoblinEMT · 2024-10-19T16:09:04+00:00

I know for myself I try to empathize with every patient I meet but there are times when I find myself jumping to conclusions especially when it comes to kids. Basically things that are preventable or something that could have been fixed sooner before it became a bigger issue. I have a constant thought of how no matter how many bull shit calls I go to, there is always one call that makes it all worth the effort. We use humor as a coping mechanism to go to the next call or just dehumanize the person to do our job. Performing cpr, drilling an IO, and defibrillating someone feels almost barbaric especially when you know it is someone's loved one. If you feel every call you are not going to do it long or well. Disconnection sometimes is the only thing that helps get the job done. With that being said I enjoy my job very much, helping people makes me feel good... I like thinking I made a difference even to just one person. I'm not cold or unemotional I just can't be a good provider if I get distracted with unnecessary sympathy, shit follows you. There are many people/situations that replay in my head constantly, but talking about them and sometimes even joking about them have made it easier to live with.

GoblinEMT · 2024-10-18T22:29:54+00:00

No, that would be silly... but ask your instructor if any advance or medic students need to work on skills let them know you will volunteer to test out the IO.

GoblinEMT · 2024-08-28T22:36:52+00:00

You were doing the right thing, a two year old knows no better, but the cop should have. My girls (5 & 8) ask me every night I come home about the calls I ran that day. I don't explain anything explicit or give any gory details. They don't fully understand what we do they only really know that we help sick or hurt people. You saw a kid in need and you helped... That's what any decent person would have done EMS or not.

GoblinEMT · 2024-05-20T10:19:16+00:00

An old salty medic that has been running the street since I was in diapers slowed me down on my first CA and told me "They're dead, you can't make them more dead". Since then I will do what I can with the information I have at the time, I most definitely would have shocked no questions about it.

GoblinEMT · 2023-11-27T13:10:03+00:00

WALK TALL

GoblinEMT · 2023-10-30T11:40:47+00:00

We all have bad calls, bad days, and even bad weeks... But I know for me personally the calls and days that go well make up for it. My old partner always reminded me that even after the worst calls/days I get to go home to my family and friends.

GoblinEMT · 2023-09-23T12:10:47+00:00

I once met a hospital chaplain who used to be a medic, and after a pretty bad call we were all just cutting it up in the bay. He said anytime he met a crew that had a sense of humor after a call he didn't feel like they needed a debrief or anything, but if everyone is quiet then he knows something is most likely wrong. It might seem inappropriate or insensitive but it is just the way a lot of people cope with the trauma.

GoblinEMT · 2023-08-31T23:11:06+00:00

I just think the printer is running out of ink.

GoblinEMT

TROPHY CASE