First responders of lemmy, do you ever find yourself hating the people you're saving when you're constantly dealing with easily-avoidable catastrophes?
P.S. Mentioning COVID-19 is considered cheating in this thread (just kidding, fire away).
Once went to a home where a very obese patient was laying on the floor with a foot injury, and called because her leg felt numb. I adjusted her to the other side due by moving some pillows, and she felt a painful “pins and needles feeling” for a moment, which then got better. I explained to her and her mother that she had put too much pressure on a nerve and needed to adjust her position regularly.
Two. Hours. Later. Same house called for leg feeling numb. I called for lift assist and took her to the hospital, because if they couldn’t follow directions she needed adult supervision rather than taking one of two county ambulances out of service over and over.
Not EMS but I’ll never forget FDNY ambulance pulling up to an obviously shitfaced collapsed homeless guy and the EMT gets out and is just like “Hi Carl” like the patience of a thousand saints, I could never do that job it’s unbelievably difficult.
Not a first responder per se but work in disaster management and emergency management
Some people are so... entitled. Ive seen people lose everything and talk to me like its a tuesday. And ive seen people lose a Gucci bag and demand that its a life or death situation.
These people, regrettably, deserve to be humbled.
I’ve never found myself hating people I’m helping. A lot of them are annoying as fuck (drunk people), rude, or mean. But that’s because they’re people.
More often I find things sad and I hate the systems that cause the problem: An 8:45am call to a banks ATM lobby because an unhoused person is sleeping there and the bank workers don’t feel safe checking to see if he’s just sleeping or dead. Fuck the bank, fuck the system, and I feel sad that the bank workers can’t see or handle (either because if policy or personal reasons) the humanity of the situation and just talk to the guy. Let alone feeling sad for the poor guy trying to get a dry nights sleep and no one caring enough to see if he’s okay.
On the opposing side of this, and it may be my optimist rose tinted glasses and a will to see some good in everyone;
At least they cared enough to call. If he was dead, they could have left him there to decompose until it started to smell.
The call may have been from annoyance, but the call also to some extent comes from another life.
Religious people are the bane of my existence.
I won't type out the details. Try to keep it short.
Many years ago a religious woman called her "birth coach/midwife" or whatever the hell it's called for her religion. Instead of calling 911.
The umbilical cord had come out first. And the baby obviously compresses it.
She let her FULL term baby die inside her belly.
Fuck religion!
I work in 911 dispatch
Back when I was still in training I delivered my first baby, was damn glad to still have my trainer hanging out over my shoulder for that.
It was almost a perfectly by the book, no complications delivery
Except that they had their doula on another line giving competing instructions to me.
In general unless there are complications, our instructions are pretty much the classic birth position, woman on her back, knees bent, legs spread
And the doula had her on all fours, which is something we instruct for certain complications
But again, everything they were telling me was that there were no complications.
So eventually I basically had to say something like "our instructions are to have her on her back, I can't make you listen to me, but I have to give these instructions, so I'm going to proceed as if she's on her back"
Phrased maybe a bit more diplomatically
I have no idea what position she was actually in when the baby finally popped out, but he was healthy, so that's all that matters I suppose.
And they made me do a photo op with the parents and baby. I don't like babies. Not much of a fan of having my picture taken either. Not my favorite day at work. I'd rather take a call for a shooting. No one makes you take a picture with a shooting victim.
The primary reason for birthing on one's back has been often cited as due to it being more accessible for the medical staff. The doula's job is to make it more comfortable for the woman, which happens to contradict your training that prioritizes the comfort of the medical staff.
I'm not saying you were wrong for following your training, I get that and appreciate that the job is diffcult, just wanted to offer an explanation for what would've been a frustrating situation for you.
I thought down on all fours was the more natural and preferred position? Not sure it's practiced, my rug rate children came out with mom on her back.
I've been privileged to be primary medic on 2 field deliveries. Text book. Happy shift afterward.
I thought for a second I was a first responder, since I am the first person to respond to your post. I am a bit drunk and very sorry for my useless comment.
You did not answer the question, though. Do you hate OP? (I guess your response is the "easily-avoidable catastrophe")
Ngl, this is the first definition of "first responder" that came to my mind as well.
Also a bit drunk for what it's worth.
Well hell, I got a beer buzz on and still understood the assignment. Get on my level!
There's a patient that we would see a couple of days per month. They'd OD on heroin, we hit them with narcan and an electrolyte IV to hydrate. He'd eat something and leave. We would give him resources to get some help. Each time I'd get more and more angry.
6 months of this and I finally asked why he'd OD almost like clockwork. He said the good stuff sold fast and he'd only get enough for like 2 maybe 3 hits(?highs, fixes?) The guy's life was just waiting on his dealer to get it. He would figure out how to make enough cash to keep his withdrawals at bay while saving up to buy up as much as he could when the good stuff arrived.
The last time I saw him, day shift told me he came in, got hit with narcan twice, this was after EMTs had given him narcan as well. when he was steady enough, he left AMA(against medical advice). He came back 3 hrs later for another OD. Doctor came in and told him he's killing himself. this organ is damaged, this one has this, blah, blah, blah. He responded that he'd be fine if we would stop killing his high. I did the usual and he left sometime the next day.
We haven't seen him in 4 months. I guess he finally got to enjoy his high.
I remember back when reddit was edgier there was an /r/opiates sub where users would share cheery thoughts like, "I'm sure we all have a part of us fantasising about dying when we hit the plunger on the syringe."
It was so bleak that it stuck with me.
The last time I saw him, day shift told me he came in, got hit with narcan twice, this was after EMTs had given him narcan as well. when he was steady enough, he left AMA(against medical advice). He came back 3 hrs later for another OD. Doctor came in and told him he's killing himself. this organ is damaged, this one has this, blah, blah, blah. He responded that he'd be fine if we would stop killing his high.
Situations like this are what make me occasionally go “society should be able to 5150 people for addiction, to keep them locked up long enough to detox and get clean.” But I know that:
A) forced rehab wouldn’t actually work, and they’d just go right back to using as soon as they got out
B) It would likely result in higher OD rates after detox, because addicts would lose their tolerance and then go right back to whatever dosage they were using last time
C) it would likely be rife with abuse, with cops using to hold people without formally charging them.
D) it would deter people from seeking help, out of fear of being locked up instead.
Actually, instead of 5150-ing people the solution that works in other countries is to provide medical access to drugs. So basically allow someone to live a life with their illness after treatments have failed to cure them: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/canada-now-allows-prescription-heroin-in-severe-opioid-addiction-1.3753312
I have a friend who's a volunteer EMT and has basically the same story. Lots of repeat customers, and some people get all pissy after Narcan because it killed their high.
In New York City, they hand out Narcan for free. They also provide free training for people just in case you happen to see someone overdosing, which isn’t terrifically uncommon.
I used to carry around a dose of Narcan for just such a situation. Once, about four or five years ago I think, I saw some guy ODing on the A train platform. Hit him with the Narcan.
Since it’s a nasal spray, I’m all up in his face when he suddenly (and violently) wakes up and pukes on me. I was on my way to work… after about 2 seconds, he looks right at me and sucker punches me. Just laid me out on the platform.
Some big dude who was standing close by drags me away from the guy as he starts screaming at me about ruining the best high if his life (yeah, whatever asshole) before running off.
Thing is, I used to be a junkie myself. I’ve been off that shit for 21 years now, but I still very much remember. I get it. I feel somewhat obligated, as a service, to do what I can to help when I can. Was that guy shitty and an asshole? Absolutely because I can. Am I glad I probably saved his life? You bet. Am I gonna keep doing this? Absolutely. Why? Because it makes the world a better place, and the benefit far out weighs the cost.
Addiction isn’t a “weakness“. It’s a legitimate illness, and this country vilifies it rather than treating it as the medical condition that it is. Obviously, money is the motivation here. Or, rather, I should say: profit.
The world could deal with more kindness. If I can put more kindness in the world without it really being that big of a deal for me? Why shouldn’t I?
Edit: spelling and grammar
I didn't expect a happy ending, but I'm glad it sounds like he cleaned up and got his act together.
I was a first responder for a while. Not sure I ever hated a patient. I sure as shit got mad when the call came over, and my annoyance was reinforced when I showed up and assessed the patient. But even the most malingering of folks were sad at best. Despite how I come off, I've always been empathetic to a fault probably, and while sometimes that wars with my short fuse for bullshit, I'd still ultimately just feel bad for some of these folks.
I was only a volunteer though, maybe 100-110 calls a year for about seven or eight years (non-consecutive). I hated being the treasurer of my rescue squad a lot more than any patient.
My first job after school and job training was being a paramedic. I was never mad at suicidal people or folks OD'ing. They are in a shit situation in life. But easily avoidable deaths? Jaysus Christ on a bike and all his carpenter friends... Train surfing morons (electricity fueled power lines and low hanging traffic signs!!!). People trying to walk through closed train barriers and getting hit. Car drivers speeding. People looking at their phones while crossing the street. There's a reason why I quit that job after 2 years. Oh dear lord am I mad at those gobshites just thinking back.
EDIT: Maybe because I'm mad as hell right now again: I live in a tiny village, so people would assume there's not much going on there, but we have two major train lines running through it. The tounge in cheeck joke here is: "The train barriers are always closed". Yes, many times enough, you need to wait patiently in front of them before you can walk again, drive you car again, ride your bike again. A 19 year old girl was thinking otherwise just yesterday and got mown over by a train. While I was standing there.
What did I do? Calling the firefighters, knowing that's a lost cause and they will have to spray that fucking 30 meters of blood away with their hoses. Also calling the firefighters here, they are deeply connected with paramedics - not that anyone needed them at that time anymore, but they have emergency psychologists on speed dial as well - for example for the train driver and any bystanders. Blergh. Fucking idiots... Ruining everyone's day. I didn't notify the cops around here because they are usually the first responders here at a very busy double highway with people speeding. I didn't want to fuck up their day as well. Eventually they turned up as well, but only after there was some cleaning and they just interviewed witnesses for the report.
:(
EDIT 2: Before you ask: I arrived just a minute too late to pull her away from getting too close to the tracks. :/
Maybe the community should ask for a few bridges at town hall meeting. I bet everyone would be on board.
I speculate a root cause is freight trains, and all the same abuses that prevent trains passenger rail from being useful. lack of infrastructure investment causing slowness, ever longer trains causing slowness, inadequate sidings causing blocked intersections, out of repair tracks causing slowness and signals cause long delays blocking intersections
Or at least I’ve never seen anyone do that nor know anyone who’d admit to it, but we only have commuter rail so there will be a train but the gates will be up in a minute. no reason to be impatient or do something stupid
Friend, I hope that leaves your head some time soon.
This should help. Talking about it helps.
Be good to yourself today.
I can't undo what happened, I've seen such shite before, but I was walking my teeny tiny dog and when I saw what was inevitably happening, I took my dog on my arms and turned around 180 degrees. Yeah, it was horrible what happened, I was close to the person getting hit, but not close enough. Even if I ran, not a snowball's chance in hell. Sometimes you can't do anything.
But yeah, I am okay. I've seen shite like that before, jumpers. My dog is sleeping on my chest now and didn't see / notice any of it.
EDIT: Also, thank you for being concerned, but I'm okay. :) Do not worry about me.
Worked Fire and EMS all though college and still do some part time. The people I will never ever understand are the ones that have multiple cats and do not clean up after them. I'm talking walking into a place and EVERYTHING smells like rotten cat piss. Now its one thing if you're unable to care for them and I somewhat understand that (give them away to a good home!), but those who are able? Hate. They simply don't care enough about it to take care of their home or their animals and it shows what kind of person they are. I know its a bit off topic, but those are the ones I cant stand. Easily avoidable things are just part of humans being stupid. Only other one that makes me shake my head and feel no empathy for is drunk drivers hurting others.
My great aunt is 90+ and keeps somehow getting a dog. She cannot even leave her house unassisted.
Toxoplasmosis G. Is one hell of a drug worm
Best friend and I got an internet install at a place like that. First guy had an asthma attack seconds after walking in there.
My bestie walks in, sizes up the install, "Alright. I'll get the ladder and punch this wall from the outside. Hang here and grab the wire when it comes through, BRB." LOL that fucking asshole!
911 dispatch if we want to count it
Look, stress and adrenaline and all of that are a hell of a drug
Not to mention actual drugs
And people have all manner of mental health issues
And I get that
And obviously since I work the job I do, I can handle stress and crazy bullshit better than most, so my own standards are all kinds of skewed
And I really try not to hold that against my callers
But holy crap am I glad that there are usually miles between me and them because if they were right in front of me I might strangle some of them.
It's usually not even the real frequent flyer problem callers that get me. Don't get me wrong, they're obnoxious, but at least I know that 99 out of 100 times, there's no real emergency, and they are clearly not in their right minds so they really can't help it. They're almost an enjoyable distraction from all of the people who should know better and just won't not be an uncooperative belligerent asshole who refuses to listen to anything we say.
Every medic develops a profound resentment for the stupidity of man.
Not a first responder, but it's called compassion fatigue: https://www.cma.ca/physician-wellness-hub/content/compassion-fatigue-signs-symptoms-and-how-cope
Not a first responder but the ones I know. I don't want to say hate the people but sorta hate the whole thing. The hate the sin not the sinner kind of thing. They just want them to wise up.
The amount of people who fake seizures or passing out is staggering.
I've delivered a fair share of sternum rubs, and only one time did they not pop awake immediately, but the city has dispatched an ambulance, fire engine, and a couple police cars to the house.
As a side note: everyone should learn basic rescue techniques like CPR, so people stop throwing water in someone having a medical emergency. They are now having a medical emergency while being soaking wet.