Emotions in the field of EMS>?

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Permalink Reply by paul raynel on June 15, 2009 at 7:14am

bobbie jo i have only being in the service for a year and have attended several fatal mvas i find talking to the other members of our brigade the biggest help sure we have had counseling ect but the biggest comfort are my fellow brothers and sisters the key i feel is to let it out.
and on a more personal note i attended a multiple fatal mva the other week and there was carnage every where and in the middle of it was a cat that was also fatal to be honest this affected me more so than the people involved why this was im still trying to work out

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Permalink Reply by EngineLadder on June 15, 2009 at 8:31pm

easy bobbie go out for kegs and eggs in the morning with other medics or emts : )

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Permalink Reply by Paul on June 15, 2009 at 8:49pm

after a while you just dont see it any more. its easier to deal with the dead instead of the dieing. Its a part of the job. a paramedic gave good advice when I first got on. If they died in your care, they were going to die anyway. You just had the displeasure of seeing it. dont blame it on yourself. and if you do have a hard time with it. use a peer support group or CISD team.

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Permalink Reply by Barry on June 15, 2009 at 8:54pm

Bobbie Jo, I'm going on 34 years.....fire and ems.....you see just about everything...the only thing I've never done was a delievery....I've seen death, held someone that didn't make...but I also performed CPR and they are alive and walking....seenn someones hose get burned down.....if you are emotional, that's okay, i don't really care for stonefaced people, i like "human beings"......we've had 3 LODD at my company, we cried, hugged, laughed... you can handled it, it may not seem like it and you probably think you can't, but you will....take care..Barry

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Permalink Reply by Ralph L. Carr IV on June 18, 2009 at 9:53am

Our emotions are what pull us to serve. How we are able to deal with them is what allows us to keep serving. I like to tell co-workers and new "kids" coming thru training. People die, it`s a part of life. We`re here to help them thru that time. We train and educate to assist people with injury and illness. Train, know your training and work within your training to do your best for your patients. Truely KNOWING inside yourself that you did your best to help that person, even if the outcome isn`t what we wanted, will help you thru emotions.

When on a scene that crazy & emotional, hem in your emotions and follow your training. After these situations, TALK them out. By all means, have an outside life and friends away from the job.

Stress is what we put on ourselves. I`m not saying stuff doesn`t get to us, but keep in mind why we are here. I look at it like this. No matter what the turnout on a bad run, I did my best to help that person. If he died in the back of my truck holding my hand at peace with himself, I still did my job. When we have someone that passes away, I will take a moment to myself and say a prayer for that person, I`m thankful to have met him/her for that brief time we shared. I don`t go "all churchy", it`s just me in a quiet moment with that patient.

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Permalink Reply by Gus Bowling on June 20, 2009 at 6:38am

When I first started 28 years ago there were not systems set up like now. We had to deal with it on our own but now there are things like Critical Stress Debriefing that have get effects on the people that need the intervention. Things can add up over the years and it may not be one thing that triggers the effects. Remember not only for you but the rest of your department keep on eye out for things that are not normal actions and get the persons involved someone to talk to. even if it does not effect you everyone benefits from your participation in the process with the CISM Team. Stay safe and look out for your mental health.

Gus

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Permalink Reply by Michael J Burke on August 8, 2009 at 10:22am

It is good to be emotional. That will make you a better EMT or Medic. The key is not to let it build up inside if you do have a bad call or a call does not go very well. Keeping open communications with your partners and also talking to your friends and family about things also will help alot. Doing things to destress when you are outside of work is also veery good. Going to the gym or just doing something that you enjoy and relaxes you will help make your life easier when those bad calls do happen.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on August 8, 2009 at 10:58am

Well, in my case....I find that if you do the very best that you can do and acquire all the training that is available then you have to accept that there was nothing more that could have been done....it doesn't sound like much....but it is all that we have sometimes.....that and a supportive Crew and Department....Part of my "Keeping the Faith" that so many here have seen me close my posts with....I WILL be there for my Brothers and Sisters when needed....and they know that...we are all in this together....Trust in your training, Trust in your skills, Trust in your Brothers and Sisters and not to sound corny or ideological Trust in your God that all will come out well.....Stay safe and remember Always Keep the Faith.....Paul

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Permalink Reply by Adam Schmitt on November 7, 2009 at 8:06pm

Well I've been in EMS for 14 years, I wont say I've seen it all, but I have seen alot. There are always a call that will stick out in your mind. You just learn to deal with it in your own way. All of the advice our fellow FF and EMT's, are some sound advice. Just follow the path you set for yourself, and dont keep your emotions to the point where it keeps you from being the best you can be. Remember, you didnt cause the incident, but you are there to help improve the situation to your best ability.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on November 7, 2009 at 10:40pm

No Bobbie Jo...that is NOT the "only obstacle" that you will encounter....it is not an easy road once you start down it...there are many obstacles and challenges to face...You may have to address things that don't make you feel comfortable and have to deal with people that you would rather avoid...and do so with respect(even though none is shown to you) You should have seen me the first time I climbed the quint.....LOL.....Paul

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