Rettungsdienst Frankfurt

I started my career in Germany as a volunteer ambo. So, going back there it was a given that I'd pop in to say hi to a few colleagues - and then I even managed to get a nightshift with them!

Unfortunately the pics didn't turn out well, but above are a few so you can get an idea of the workspace of Paramedics in Frankfurt.

Things work quite differently over there. For one, they have emergency doctors in response cars. Paramedics aren't allowed to do as much as in Australia, UK, US etc. I am preparing a couple of more blog posts to follow, comparing the (West) Australian Ambulance Service to the service in London and Frankfurt.

Until then, I have a night shift to go to tonight. After two weeks in continental Europe, I may have forgotten on what side of the road we drive on over here, but not to worry: I can always switch on the flashing lights in case I get confused...

London in Pictures

London is colourful. "Wait!", you say, "surely not now, it's November!"

a) look at the cool bikes strewn all over the city:

b) look at the enormous amount of bright yellow ambulances decorating the city. And if you had a good look recently, you may have spotted yours truly

having a ball next to the amazing Lysa Walder

who is an

with the

Detailed report coming shortly...

Back!

Back from Holidays.

Back from Europe.

Back to Life

Back to Reality.

What a Pity.

- ~ -

Three weeks including London, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Heidelberg & Ruedesheim. Plus two ambulance shifts and constantly on the lookout for anything with flashing lights - it's hard to kick the habit.

Stay tunes for detailed reports.

bright and light

The shift started off great - those of you who follow my twitter feed (@flobach) will have seen why: First job of the night, and my septuagenarian patient gives me a big toothless smile while stating firmly she wants me to be the father of her children.

Sorry, but I have to decline...if you can't look me directly in the eye, I'm not interested. Probably didn't help that I was trying to shine a light right through to the back of your retina, but hey, that's the deal. If you want to marry the doctor, you gotta follow the doctors orders.

Doctor? Yes, my potential wife's carer referred to me as the doctor. Initially I was going to correct her, but then I thought better of it, and just lay back and bathed in the glory. Mmmmmh, glory :-)

- ~ -

Summary: First job at 1800hrs, cleared at hospital from our last job at 21:40hrs. Back to station, played around with my camera (see below), and went to bed at 0000hrs. Awoke at 0735hrs by the sound of the day crew arriving. Brilliant. Annual leave now - no more aussie ambo stories for a few weeks (but will catch up on other odds & sods)!

(not the best shots, but enjoy anyway!)

a different approach to thrombolysis

A neighbouring crew had a most peculiar job recently. Upon arrival, they found their patient complaining of classic cardiac signs: crushing central chest pain, cold, clammy and sweating like there is no tomorrow. Off comes the shirt, on go the defibrillator pads; ST depression is evident. Five minutes later, the patient goes in to cardiac arrest. A shock is administered, and the patient wakes up. Just like in the movies. And the ECG is also back to normal.

I saw the rhythm strip with my own eyes: sick rhythm - strange rhythm - VF - shock - near-normal sinus. We believe that in the process of defibrillation, the clot disintegrated or dislodged itself. I'll try and get a copy of the rhythm strip to post up here.

Tenecteplase? Who needs Tenecteplase?! :-)

I wasn't expecting some kind of spanish inquisition!

Called to an elderly Gentleman, lift assist only. On arrival, we check he has no injuries, lift him back in to bed, and make sure he doesn't want to come to hospital.

Ambo: You sure you didn't injure yourself, and you don't want to come to hospital?

Man: Yes, I'm sure.

Ambo: Good. If you did hurt yourself, that would be a completely different kettle of fish.

Man: What kind of fish?

Hmm, wasn't prepared for that one...

complicated communications

The dayshift had some challenges in it for me - all our patients were either demented, delirious or dead.

Included was one poor soul who burnt to death. Not a pretty sight, especially not for the bystanders who had seen the smoke and tried to help. There was nothing we could do for our patient, so after confirming this with our gear, we covered the patient with a blanket, and I took a look at the people standing around. With our initial patient having died in such a horrendous way, it was important to check on the members of the public to see how they were feeling.

I approached a lady who had an expression of fear and disbelief written all over her face. All I could do was offer her a seat in the ambulance, a chat and a glass of water. She seemed to pick herself up after a couple of minutes, and wanted to get on with her day. There was nothing more I could do, so I helped her out of the van and had another look around. Most people had left by now, but I had a chat to a few men standing around, who all declined any offers of help or seating. All that I could do now was paperwork and liaise with the other emergency services.

This job was up there in the top three of horrible jobs I've done so far. I would be lying if I wrote that it didn't affect me at all - it did. On the train going home that night I had to think about the job, not so much about the patient funnily enough, but the circumstances of it all. It was a sunny day, one of those days where you soak up the great weather and feel good all around, not expecting anything bad to happen at all. Then all of a sudden someone catches fire, and unsuspecting member of the public are drawn in to witness such a horrendous event, which may scar them for life. We as emergency responders expect to see these scene from time to time, even if we aren't immune to such sights. And the patients family?

It was more of a reflection of the job rather than feeling sad. I did not know the person. I did not see him die. We arrived and the the aftermath, no more, no less. Still, I doubt I'll ever forget that certain job.

Luckily I was working with a very understanding paramedic, and one with twenty years of experience. That job was also the first time that I had a good chat to my colleague about the situation. Just to talk about everything.