Spring Break

Nothing exciting happening, it's spring break for me this week--And apparently I'm too old to go anywhere. Well, not really, but it certainly feels that way.

As most of you know I've had some major health problems crop up in the last couple of years. Every day has seemed like it's own battle. I ran into a friend the other day...Not just any friend. He happens to be the medic that runs our local ambulance service, my old boss. And a true friend. (I'll call him Eugene.) I stepped down from the service over a year ago because of some health problems, and he's still waiting for me to come back. Every time I see this man he asks me, "When the hell are you coming back? We need you godammit." And I tear up every damn time. EMS is my life. I would have completed medic school by know--if it weren't for my health. The most major of the health issues have been dealt with, and I could return to the squad anytime. But...because of inactivity, pain, medication, etc. I've gained a shitload of weight, and my muscles have turned to sludge. Until I am certain that I am capable of carrying people down stairs, out of ravines, and pulling them out of mangled cars I won't return. Those who don't work in EMS may think that sounds like a bunch of bravado shit; those who do or have worked in the field know it's just basic patient care. My knowledge is meaningless unless I can implement it.

Rural EMS is very different than "city-slicker" EMS. In a city, you're usually within 8 minutes of a receiving facility. Not always the case out here in the sticks. Our local hospital is a critical access hospital, so we also do loads of ALS intercepts. Our EMT-Bs are some of the most trained in the state. We have several variances that enable us to do almost everything a medic can do, except give drugs...And there are a few drugs we can give as well. We start IV's, read strips, etc. There is a certain pride that comes with being one of the squad, and also a feeling of family. 4 years ago when I became an EMT our squad was very, very small. We were only part-time ALS. There were only 2 people on call at one time (which, as far as I know, is still the case). When it's you and one other person, with the nearest aid over 30 minutes away you learn to depend on one another in a way that very few people can ever understand.

God I miss it.