Volunteering in ambulance?

Question

How old do you need to be to do this? (I'm 15.) also, anybody who has volunteered in an ambulance, what sort of things do you do?

Answer 1

I am a paramedic with 10 years on an ambulance. On occasion we have people that do "ride alongs" (volunteered) and we have them do what they are comfortable with from just observing to taking vital signs. We never would have them clean unless they just get in there and do it, never expected. We realize that this job is not for everyone and it is a good idea to get some ride time before spending the time and money for school. Not every agency will allow rider. You have to research your area for fire departments with ambulances and ambulance company's and call them and ask if it is allowed.

Good luck, it is the best job in the world.

Answer 2

In most places, you have to be at least 16 to be able to take the basic emergency medical Technician class(EMT). A lot of what you can do will depend on state laws or the squad's bylaws.

   Among the things you can expect to do. First, preparation. This means checking the ambulance every day. Maybe not a to-the-last-bandaid count, but you have to make sure that the last crew didnt' forget to replace oxygen, or backboards, or some other important supplies. The units also need to be kept clean, especially in patient compartments. There are around the station duties to look forward to, such as cleaning bathrooms, taking out the trash, etc.  All mundane, but needs doing.

   When not on a call, you can also look to training. This is either learning to do things to help and Advanced Life Support provider, like a paramedic, to set up an IV line, put a patient on a heart monitor, or even prepare to give certain medications. You can also review skills you have learned, or study new ones. Good squads will usually have some form of continuing education program, to make sure once you get your EMT you can get the credits needed to renew it.

   Finally, going on the call. At 16 you will not be the attendent in charge, so your duty will be to help that person. That means carrying equipment into the scene, fetching equipment needed(meaning you must know what is on the ambulance and where it is at), help do things like take vital signs, record information, place the patient on oxygen, bandage or splint injuries, assess the patient to figure out what's wrong with them, etc. Sometimes this means having to help the patient to the bathroom or cleaning them up before transport, turning  off the lights in a house and locking it, or making sure Kitty is safe in the other room. You'd be amazed at what sick people want before they let themselves be carried to the hospital.

   You may have to work outside, and help hold someone's neck and head for c-spine control. You have to help board them, then move the patient to the ambulance. Vitals have to be repeated, and if you haven't gotten around to doing so, you may have to do extra things, like the ALS stuff above. Or help with them anyways. A lot of what you do is simply staying calm, and comforting the patient or their families, and making them feel a little better.

  And once you get to the hospital, you get the joy of cleaning up. Blood, f***s, urine, vomit, and sometimes things you cannot describe may have contaminated the stretcher and back of the ambulance. All that has to be de-conned, and linen replaced. Then you have to make sure to replace any and all supplies that you can at the hospital. Those you can't replace, you must make note of and deal with when you get back to the squad building. And if you're lucky, after it's all over, you'll have some cool stories to share with your crewmates over dinner. So, still interested? Head down to a couple of local squads, ask them what their rules are about Junior members, and fill out an application.