Paramedic's Life-Changing Job: Seeing Danger Everywhere
As a paramedic for nearly 10 years, I've realized how much the job has altered my day-to-day life. It's not just about seeing others in a different light, but also about being constantly on the lookout for potential dangers.
I conduct risk assessments everywhere I go, from cafes to kids' birthday parties. I look for exits, sharp corners, and defibrillators. At a party, I once caught a toddler chewing on a deflated helium balloon and had to explain to the parents that it could block an airway faster than you can sing Happy Birthday.
My experience has made me wary of everyday objects and activities. A loose paver or stray grapes can be deadly. I've seen too many accidents involving motorbikes and trampolines to ever get on one again.
I've treated patients with severe injuries from motorbike accidents and trampoline mishaps. One of my first traumatic jobs involved a man who was clipped at an intersection and suffered spinal cord damage.
I've also learned to fear what others overlook. Recreational drugs are a no-go for me after seeing the devastating effects of laced cocaine and ketamine overdoses. The Pulp Fiction-style overdoses are all too real.
On the other hand, I've stopped worrying about things that send others into a panic. Smartwatches often trigger false alarms, mistaking burpees for car accidents or elevated heart rates for heart attacks.
People are outsourcing common sense to apps and algorithms, which don't do context. Strapping on devices won't keep death at bay; it's just an attempt to control life's chaos.
