I had the personal good fortune in being contacted by a fellow ambulance blogger, Ella Shaw a wee while back. 

Ella writes a similar satirical blog to mine (albeit, probably more wittier and definately more popular!  I’M NOT BITTER!!!) www.tryingmypatients.co.uk  

Anyway, as such we got chatting – and climbing – and decided to write a guest blog for each other . . . I went first.  So, here’s the link to that entry . . . .

http://www.tryingmypatients.co.uk/2014/01/super-strength-batteries.html

Super Strength Batteries . . . for all those who havn’t read it already.  Hope you like and hopefully soon, if the rope doesn’t “accidently” snap from climbing, Ella will write one back.

Binder

A two car high speed RTC had resulted in the usual smash up and mess.  But thankfully with very little injuries.  The perpetrators were drunk with the driver staggering forth from the wreckage claiming not to have been the driver.  Unfortunately, seeing as he did this in front of the police he was promptly “nicked” on the spot and hoicked away.

Pretty soon I had directed two ambulances (or palmed off . . . depending on your view) to deal with the injured – one from each vehicle.  The police had the entire area closed off and everything was going well . . . that is until were heard the rumble.

As one, everyone turned their heads to face up the road to see three London Fire Brigade trucks hurtling toward us.  Several officers shook their heads and cursed under their breaths.

“Uh oh . . . here comes the Borg” Continue reading →

These were the classic words uttered by the young man as soon as I stepped forth from my FRU car.  Lights still flashing.  High visibility jacket on with the LAS logo and title in perfect view . . . of the whole world.

“Are you the Ambulance?”

It’s not often I’m caught off guard without something to say but momentarily I was.  However, I rallied, with something not fantastic but at least non abusive and non insulting.

“Um . . . what gives it away?” Continue reading →

I had an observer from St John’s Ambulance with me on the car this evening.  As it turned out, what I’m about to write was about the most exciting thing that happened to us over the entire shift!

We were on our way to a Red 2, Chest Pain.  However, this was a 26 year old so instantly you doubt it’s authenticity – even when you allow for other contingencies!  Also, on the MDT it had mentioned a plethora of other things such as Chrohn’s Disease and that the patient had travelled up from Eastbourne* because of bad treatment at a hospital there.

The writing of so much info on the MDT I’m sure, is a subtle hint from Control that they are dealing with a numpty but have to follow protocols – so therefore at the very least, they are giving us a coded “heads up” of what’s coming!

“This bloke is going to be a cock”  I mentioned in passing as I initiated the blues and twos and sped off toward our job. Continue reading →

We all stared at the tiny package lying on the trolley bed.  No words were spoken, only intense concentration as if by the very thought it would open and place itself on our patient.

We stared . . . then stared some more.  I scratched my head whilst one of the crew scratched their chin.  The other went to suggest something then stopped and furrowed their eyebrows.

It was a triangular bandage . . . arguably the most complicated piece of kit on an Ambulance.

Continue reading →

I am very wary of London Black Cab drivers.

When I first moved to London for this job I remember a London black cabbie trying to run me over whilst on my bicycle.  My bike was destroyed and I was left in the middle of the road bruised and bewildered whilst he drove off at speed.  He got 6 points and a hefty fine for that little stunt.

I’m also amazed at how lots of them still try to “surf the blue wave” of our blue light call . . . ie speed up in front of our run to gain as much distance as they can – and then have the audacity to wave us on, like they’re doing us a favour.  Cheeky sods.

So, on the whole, I’m not overly fond on black cabbies that much.  But . . . Continue reading →