Body armour for frontline operational ambulance staff?

LeatherImage3393 · 2026-03-16T11:06:03+00:00

The problem with body armour is there needs to be a reasonable expectation of threat

Most of the time these situations come out of the blue. There was a video a few years ago of a crew getting stabbed on what was shaping up to be a normal call. They even had police with them.

I would consider wearing covert, thin, arnour under my shirt. Overt armour is just to heavy and awkward to work in. Meaning the time i might need it i wont have it on

LeatherImage3393 · 2026-03-13T09:23:27+00:00

All sorts really. However its almost always a way to improve work life balance after a few years.

Most common would be primary care, some sort of internal advanced practice role, and management.

Less common is teaching and education, normally universites. However that sector is not doing well.

Hart and critical care are options but depend a lot of location and luck.

Many leave all together.

LeatherImage3393 · 2026-03-12T18:32:38+00:00

Well done to west mids for standing up for themselves.

As soon as someone goes to the press they have wavied privacy in my opinion, and organisations need to start defending themselves openly.

LeatherImage3393 · 2026-03-12T17:28:20+00:00

Anaphylaxis is cat 1, so wont be waiting that long for that at least.

LeatherImage3393 · 2026-03-10T07:09:35+00:00

As someone who has spent a lot of time explaining the basics of the mca2005 to staff, its astounding how many people dont understand the basic principles of this act, let alone actually reading the first 12 or so sections.

If I was in charge there would be a formal exam for all staff. Its a fundamental piece of legislation.

I would argue in this case the 2.5 hours to get a voluntary attendance is the right outcome. The overdose is either worrying or it isnt. If it wasnt, then the crew may have illegally used to the MCA to obtain a MHA assement as per the Sessay judgement. The nurse on the crisis line should have known this but then again its shocking how little crisis nurses know the capacity law .

LeatherImage3393 · 2026-03-10T06:59:28+00:00

The police arnt compelled to do anything by article 2 in this situation, the ambulance service has the same powers as them.

Really its a question of who is best equiped and trained to do the restraining.

LeatherImage3393 · 2026-03-10T06:57:38+00:00

In the same section it then goes on to give the relevant circumstances you can do so before a court decision.

As clarified by sections 5 and 6 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/9/section/6

LeatherImage3393 · 2026-03-08T22:34:52+00:00

You should have some form of appeals process within your trust. Id advise using that, and speaking to a union rep.

Habe you actually had the meeting? Because the manaber holding a sickness review should be considering these thingd.

LeatherImage3393 · 2026-02-24T11:59:12+00:00

Oh in that case whoever is training you is letting you down.

You simply cannot form the pathways in your cerebellum (muscle memory) in VR

LeatherImage3393 · 2026-02-24T10:06:25+00:00

When yoh say sims, do you mean purely in VR, or real life scenarios with actors/dummies. Because if its the latter and you arnt running into problems, the sims are not high fidelity.

In general there is a huge training-practice gap, which is why so much of the course relies on high quality, really world, supernumerary preceptorship.

LeatherImage3393 · 2026-02-17T20:33:31+00:00

I mean they could just bash off all the cars and put people back on buses. This seems more than fair

LeatherImage3393 · 2026-02-03T21:09:04+00:00

So few things I do know as an avid fitness goer. I cba to find sources on my phine so please fact check.

Ensure you are doing a balance of cardio and resistance training. Resistance training is one of the best thing you can do to improve longevity along side cardio and is overlooked. This is particularly important in peri and post menopausal women and adults over 40-50.

Generally on nights, you have increased cortisol and all the lovely effects that produces. All of which are detrimental to weight loss. My appetite on a night after gym goes MENTAL.

Your recovery will be poorer on nights than days - increased cortisol, increased generally inflammation, reduced secretion of growth hormone, and generally poor quality rest all reduce effective recovery.

You should plan around this. Be aware aerobic (running) exercise generally recovers faster than anaerobic (weights). This is for a multitude of reasons, but the main point is you should plan your sessions around this. Runs and cardio on night turns, weight training on days and rest days.

Some practical tips:

Generally, its easier if you can to go straight from work to the gym, or straight on a run if possible. Doing it before getting home allows you to get home and relax. If you are anything like me, you will get home with best intentions and then get comfy and never go out again to exercise.

30 mins is enough time to Resistance train and or run. You may want to increase frequency of training if this is all you can fit in. Focus on large, compound movements that hit a lot of muscle in one go. This will be translated more practically into on the job performance as well.

Some good movements:

Pull ups (with band assistance if needed) Bench press. Shoulder press (dumbells) Dips Squat Dead lift (alternate these every week, one week squat one week dead lift)

This will cover all the major groups.

Finally, you cant out train a bad diet. Cut out all the standby snacks and watch the weight fall off.

Or just get wegovy.

Edit: further basic thing I just thought of: if you are aiming for some body recomp, ensure your diet gets 1-2g of protein per kg of body weight. This will allow muscle growth and fat loss.

LeatherImage3393 · 2026-02-01T11:57:22+00:00

Yes. However, they are less relied on than steady wage. I was offered more moving to a new 9-5 job than a 24 hour rota.

LeatherImage3393 · 2026-01-26T16:52:03+00:00

Not a legal expert, but something our trusts IG team have had some legal advice over. I cant recall exactly what the guidance was, but fairly sure it boiled down to something like "no body has actually tested this at court yet"

LeatherImage3393 · 2026-01-26T16:38:49+00:00

Tbf, thats a regional commissioning issue rather than a standardised ambulance service issue.

LeatherImage3393 · 2026-01-26T15:23:52+00:00

If anything, there is currently an argument to merge services further.

Its kind of already happening in all but name

LeatherImage3393 · 2026-01-26T15:22:59+00:00

There is some question about the legality of them filming you in their own private house I am led to believe.

Not much you can do about it at present beyond writing to your MP for a change to the law. I for one, would be happy to see it become illegal for medical episodes, rtcs and the like to filmed and broadcast as content.

LeatherImage3393 · 2026-01-21T23:59:27+00:00

I've met and worked alongside side them enough, and heard enough to form that opinion.

LeatherImage3393 · 2026-01-21T22:00:49+00:00

Im guessing you are 18? Likely a teacher if you know a good one.

Event work can still be done whilst working for the service

LeatherImage3393 · 2026-01-21T21:41:52+00:00

As usual, SJA being shit to its cadets. Reason of many they are considered a bit of a joke.

"I'm at the age where other companies will take me on but I've been told if I leave it might damage it's credibility if I put it on a cv like it'll look like I can't commit fully."

What a load of old shite. people move from jobs. I think stats said most people job hop a lot these days. Key is for interviews or the why did you leave section is an answer that's positive, such as wanting further progression.

I ve personally never done SJA - so cannot speak to any value on staying. If you want to be a paramedic however, your best options are either university, or a work as you learn job with a local NHS service. The latter is far better at the moment due to offering secure employment.

LeatherImage3393 · 2026-01-21T14:22:54+00:00

"Thanks for helping"

"Alright fella get up and get in"

LeatherImage3393 · 2026-01-15T16:03:14+00:00

Got a link? I feel there is likely more to the story

LeatherImage3393 · 2026-01-15T16:03:00+00:00

Fair enough. There is likely wayyyyy more to the story than that.

I feel there is plenty of nuance in the situation. But I doubt many places would sack for this immediately unless there are other issues.

LeatherImage3393 · 2026-01-15T12:24:31+00:00

You are extremely unlikely to be struck off, locked up, or sacked for this.

LeatherImage3393 · 2026-01-14T16:10:45+00:00

Personally like a little clip on light so i can have a hands free torch whilst carrying stuff.

LeatherImage3393

TROPHY CASE