Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Not much left.

You become a small town EMT so you can help people.

They don't tell you that a bit of you dies each time there is a bad one. Eventually you don't have any left.


It's a bitch.

Sorry bout that.
Saw a 19 year old who blew a country stop sign Sunday out by us. He was on his dirt bike. Wasn't pretty. The bad ones leave a mark on you.

You're a good man Jim, I'm sure you have some left.

Don't tell me that. I'm currently attending EMT basic school. I enjoy what I do now but the Brandon crew is making it not worth doing anymore.

Tremendous respect for an EMT, they do help many People, not all can be saved.

Yep 10 years at that and first responder. The good outweighs it for the most part but the “bad ones” are tough. About the only folks you can talk to about it and will understand are your fellow responders/EMT’s.

In my experience, the EMTs are more attentive, take better care, and care more in general than do the docs and nurses that you are passed on to.

Jim, thank you for what you have done, the toll of what you have seen and been involved in is tough. Sometimes it's better to let others take the reins

Had a work day at the range the other day.

Two LEO's there. Were getting to that point too Jim. Just had a domestic case, not the first time apparently to that domicile. Dude ran the gal over with his truck. One of the LEOs said he was worried about the gal dying while he was assisting her and she kept saying "He didn't mean it, don't take him to jail" Said his Give a Fugg was just about empty.

Have heard other stories from folks like you. Was bad enough for me the one time coming home when I happened upon and accident our trauma team was just starting to work on. About 3 miles from the project, but they were the closest , fastest response option. I had to cut the driver out of the barb wire fence along side the road, and donate a blanket for him. One young gal was shook up pretty bad, but mostly unharmed. The other gal in the car didn't make it, I watched the life go as our trauma team lead was doing CPR on her. Drinking and partying at the beach down the way was involved. A couple of more of them and I can see how you get to that point.

Hang in there bro.

People like you are mighty important in a rural community, Jim

The rural EMT is a tough gig.

You know most everyone that you show up to help.

Jim,

God Bless you and your fellow EMTs/ Paramedics...I know where you are coming from... after the military I spent my time doing that gig also.

I ended up being the first person on scene several times while in the service, three IIRC had deaths in the accidents, and most of the ones I came across had people injured pretty bad... intoxicated drivers going at high speed on curvy roads... this is in Puget Sound area, as I was stationed at Madigan AMC on Ft Lewis.

The first one I was at, the EMTs were fresh out of school and on the job less than a week. They couldn't handle the patient with multiple injuries and had a mental breakdown. State trooper was there, and observing my facial response, asked me if I knew what to do. I told him yeah, but I was military and we weren't allowed to work on civilians off the base. Trooper told me Washington had a Good Samaritan law, and if I could save the guys life, because he was going fast, then to do it. I did.. he pulled the EMTs out of there and assisted me. We saved him and another ambulance showed up and took him to the University of Washington Hospital.

I'm in the minority, because I have that ability to turn into someone that is mechanical like a robot and have no emotions. But after its all over, I empathisize with the ones that had a hard time. I do understand greatly.

you and only know if it is time to hang it up for good or just take a break. Remember, first rule is scene safe, and you take care of you the EMT first.
Otherwise you can't help others. Only Jesus could walk on water. No one knows whats best for you, except you and its not an easy decision.

but no one would ever think negatively of you, if you walked away. As someone whose been there, I'd support your decision either way. There is no shame in any decision. God Bless you for what you've done for your neighborhood, and may God Guide you in the decisions you make, if that time has arrived.

you've got my greatest respect brother.

Peace...
john chr/ seafire

If you were not there to help, people's chances of living to tell the tale would be a lot less. You can improve the odds, but you can't always beat them. On balance, the world is much better off for your efforts.

My dad was neither an EMT nor a religious man. One day, about 70 years ago, he came upon an accident where the car was engulfed in flames. He dragged the driver out of the car. The coins in the driver's pocket had all melted. But the rosary in that same pocket had not.

You do what you can and let God take care of the rest.

Heaven holds a special place for your kind Jim, been on a ambulance ride more often than I would have liked and it has been EMT's that saved my bacon. May God bless you all for the good you do.

I know exactly what you mean, Jim.
There were situations that I dealt with going back 40 years that still sometimes disturb my sleep.

Stay strong JC, your community is fortunate to have your kind serving.........no doubt they realize this and are grateful......

Prayers for first responders.

Takes a special kind of person to do what you do , my youngest son is a RN and a dam good one. He’s told us many a stories of dumb and or unappreciative patients. Your making a difference, keep up the good work sir..

Hang on. Not many are willing to do it. We help our local fire and ems as much as we can, its sad to hear some of the stories. I worked on the road for 40 years and saw just a taste of what you guys do regularly.

Bless you for your service to the rest of us. I can see how the day to day would grind you down.