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Sparky.

18 comments

My partner is a constant source of amusement, every shift. The kid is quite possibly the sparkiest EMT ever. And if I could teach him to engage his internal censor when the calls turn out to be less than the fun and excitement he envisioned, he’d be just about perfect.

Tonight, Kelso got the sort of shift he has always wanted: shootings, codes, overdoses, respiratory arrests, grisly trauma… you name it, we’ve had it this shift.

Our first call of the evening was a shooting well out in the sticks, and we wound up flying the patient to the trauma center. The call had everything a little adrenaline junkie needs: two medics and half a dozen firefighters acting out a tightly choreographed resuscitation ballet, and for a change, a patient sick enough that his survival may very well have hinged on speed and the skill of the people treating him. And Kelso was right up in the middle of it getting his hands bloody, a goofy grin plastered on his face.

In other words, one of those calls where all your training actually matters.

The flight medic pushed the paralytics while I got the tube, we decompressed his chest, packaged the guy and hustled him to the bird. When the flight medic asked Kelso to ride in with him, I thought the kid was going to piddle himself.

“Go get in the bird, hero,” I chuckled. “I’ll clean up here and pick you up at the ED in a few minutes.”

I swear, if the kid had a tail, right now it would be wagging hard enough to generate a breeze.

  • http://www.facebook.com/johnnydoowop Rob Frazier

    Nice!

  • Pingback: Tweets that mention Sparky. | A Day In The Life Of An Ambulance Driver -- Topsy.com

  • Bobball

    Yeah, probably won’t do much for those more run of the mill sick people calls, but I theorize that if you get enough excitement out of the way early, you can settle in and be a better all-around EMT/Medic.

    As for the piddling…he’s wearing dark pants…only the flight crew will know for sure when they have to wipe down the crew seat.

    And of course…that’s not rotor wash, that’s Sparky’s tail!

  • Sassi Redhead

    SHAME ON YOU FOR THE “AMBULANCE DRIVER” YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM AS TO WHY PEOPLE REFER TO EMTs AS AMBULANCE DRIVERS ARE COPS CALLED POLICE CAR DRIVERS?? FIREMEN FIRE TRUCK DRIVERS?

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1349786879 Lynda Halliger Otvos

    very well written and funny too. I love it!!

  • Sassi Redhead

    and why arent Paramedics referred to as Ambulance drivers??

  • http://www.facebook.com/drew.croy Drew Croy

    I remember being that excited and there is nothing wrong with it! Kuddos to you for letting him take the reigns and run a bit. He will mellow with time and your instructions to him will be remembered forever. Keep up the good work!

  • Misssandiego02

    Cause most of us medic don’t drive :)

  • Kelly

    I love it! I have been an EMT for almost 10 years and I still get excited like Kelso!! ;) Gotta love good calls!

  • T.

    Uhm, he *is* a paramedic…?

  • Lisa O

    That story made me smile. I cant wait for my ‘big day’.

  • http://www.jrshirley.blogspot.com JRShirley

    “Tonight, Kelso got the sort of shift he has always wanted: shootings, codes, overdoses, respiratory arrests, grisly trauma… you name it, we’ve had it this shift.”

    Wow. My ideal shift would be more along the lines of NO shootings, codes, overdoses, respiratory arrests, grisly trauma…and what I would like to name would be a hot brunette.

  • Anonymous

    Hey Sassi?

    I am a paramedic. Been one for 16 years.

    And the blog title is intended to be satirical. Get over yourself.

  • 40lizard

    Ok, due to my case of too green newbie-itis which translates into too green and stupid to know better- I am jealous as all get out! UGH! oh well, maybe someday! Tell Kelso congrats and enjoy it for me! and kudos to you for understanding how we sparky little pups get all excited at getting to ride in the bird etc! :)

  • Mwhooley

    Get over yourself, 33 years as a “ambulance Driver” actually Paramedic Captain and still enjoying it. Don’t let what you are called define what you do.

  • http://everydayemstips.com Greg Friese

    Just curious about the flight in for Sparky. Does the helicopter have a seat with a harness and a helmet for riders? And is the helicopter just flying with a medic or is there also a flight nurse? Thanks.

  • Anonymous

    Greg, they’re BK 117 birds. I think they have small 2nd jump seat and harness, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen an extra helmet in there.

    The Borg’s birds (with the exception of our offshore EC 135), are all single-medic staffed. That’s why I refer to them as little more than a fast CCT ambulance.

  • http://www.facebook.com/matthew.donnell Matthew Donnell

    oh man.. I got a little excited just reading this… and super jealous


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