In an effort to better get to know some of the multiple ambulance companies here in our fine city on the bay (and for that matter, have them get to know me!), I’ve been doing a few ride alongs this week. And I just got back from the best one yet!

Man, these guys were awesome. The whole shift was really great- we ran 911 ALS all day, and the team I was with was just incredibly professional, compassionate, thorough in their assessments and great under pressure. It’s amazing to watch some of these guys on the calls. To a newbie like me, everything that you have to do at once when you get on scene can be a bit overwhelming, but observing these seasoned pros orchestrate everything to just calmy flow despite the panic all around of bystanders, rubbernecking traffic, families, dogs, delegating fireman to do things- it’s reminiscent of bearing witness a seasoned symphony conductor.

We had six calls, including a bicyclist hit by a car, seizures, a cardiac, and abdominal pain. Such a learning experience- the entire day, the two guys I was with were letting me help out, quizzing me on what my assessment was, and also teaching and instructing me on things I could do to dive in. They even let me run lead on the last call of the day (which was a BLS transfer)- agh so nerve-wracking! I practically passed out when they told me I was going to run lead, but think did an okay job. One thing is for certain: I need more practice at taking blood pressures in the back of a moving rig! The medic would palpate the bp reading while I would auscultate, and we NEVER came up with the same figure. Agggh, frustrating. I’m sure this will come with time, but man it is freaking tough to hear in the back of a moving rig!! So I think I am going to buy a stethoscope and sphygmomanometer online, and then recruit Earl and a friend to help me out by wildly driving around San Francisco like a maniac, blasting music, while I repeatedly take their vitals.

I am kind of bummed that the company I was with today isn’t hiring. They’re a small family company, although the word is they’ll be hiring in six months. The medic I was with today told me I did a great job and that he would be happy to hand my resume over for me and give a recommendation when they are recruiting. So that’s good news.

In the meantime, back to the job beat. Sorry for the lack of posts as of late, I’m up to my ears in applications, coverletters, and tracking down old references and recommendations. Hopefully I will have some good news on that front soon! Also, I have a ton of pictures to catch you up on and am aiming to get them up shortly.