Chasing Ambulances

Being on an ALS chase car is interesting and sometimes frustrating. We’d get a call, and then be cancelled on the way, another one, and be cancelled on scene. Get another call (but don’t get your hopes up) as we’re cancelled again. While we’re en route I’m thinking about treatment plans and drug dosages for the supposed condition, and then…well, nevermind.
Chase cars are fun too, we got to meet different BLS crews and ride in some wacky ambulances. We had a patient; 9 months pregnant with contractions 3 minutes apart, and we were in probably the tiniest ambulance I had ever seen. I had to put my feet up on the seat just to switch places with my preceptor. Starting an IV was hard enough, thank God she didn’t start having the baby, I don’t know where we would have put it.

We also had a diabetic, dehydration, CHF, and oh yeah, a moped accident involving kids 5, 2, and 20 months. How could three children be on a moped on a blustery winter day? Well, it involves a little neglect, alcohol, and well, a moped, of course. None of the kids were seriously injured, but the 20 month old gave us a little scare when he started to nod off in the ambulance. Not unusual probably for the time of day, and the excitement he’d been through, but it’s a little off to fall asleep while in an ambulance going lights and sirens; not even I can nap like that! So, that earned him the ALS treatment; he woke right up when my preceptor went for the IV. We got to take him to their trauma room, where no less than 20 people were awaiting his arrival. All three children were held for observation, and okay.
All in all, it was a nice day even though we were cancelled about 50% of the time, it was better than taking an uncomfortable nap like last time.