Emergency Medical Services Personnel Or First Responders?
When a medical emergency happens how do we get help for those we love? We call emergency medical services (EMS). Throughout most of the United States, that means calling 9-1-1. Other areas may have a different number. Even in the best of circumstances, it can take 8-10 minutes for EMS to arrive. In some areas it can take half an hour or more.
The longer it takes for EMS to arrive, the more dangerous it is for people who need their services. In the event of a heart attack or other critical medical emergency, every minute matters. Once a person stops breathing and blood stops flowing, their chance of survival goes down by about 10%. After 10 minutes, the chance of survival is unfortunately, extremely low.
This week, May 17-23, is Emergency Medical Services Week. We are grateful to those who choose to work as EMS personnel. Their work is valuable beyond measure. The hours are difficult. As with many jobs, the pay is insufficient. We appreciate our EMS personnel and honour and respect you.
First Responders Or Emergency Medical Services Personnel?
We generally use the term “first responders” to describe paramedics and EMS personnel. In reality, these people are “people with more advanced training” or “emergency responders”. These people should not be the first responders. We should be the first responders. If we have basic training in what to do in an emergency, we can respond in a way that will increase the odds of survival for people experiencing a medical emergency.
Have you ever had training in first aid or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)?
Is your training current?
Have you ever had to call 9-1-1 or helped save someone’s life?
If you would like to receive first aid and CPR training, LLPHP can help! We can either provide that training for you or connect you with someone who can. You can find out more about the training we offer at https://llphp.org/classes-and-training/. Let us help you become able to be a first responder and increase someone’s odds of survival while waiting for EMS personnel. You can help save lives, especially if you are prepared and trained.
Garrett Leeds is the founder of the Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness Project
If you would like to support the Life, Liberty, And Pursuit Of Happiness Project, please consider contributing to LLPHP via GoFundMe