Week 1 is over

And week 1 comes to an end. In a week we have gone from complete
newbies to ambulance people who possess a tiny bit of clue. The
progress we have made as a group is stupendous. Today we were all
assessed to check our progress on the ILS training. No significant
problems were found with any of us.

Next week we have a day of Manual Handling practical - a day of
carting people and dummies up and down stairs, in and out of the
ambulance. Should be good.

The rest of the week will be taken up with Respiratory System Theory.
There will be further practicals based around what we are learning so
we will start to learn exactly why we are doing the things we have
done all week.

Progress

Progress is amazing. On Monday morning I was a First Aider, with the
extra skills of AED and Medical Gases. Three and a half days later I'm
trained beyond the new BLS guidelines. I can recognise the two
shockable rhythms, fit an OP, an NP and an LMA airway. The fact that
as a group of 12 we have progressed so far without getting seriously
stressed is brilliant.

Day 1 to 3 of Clinical

Finally the nightmare that was the driving course has ended. Yes the
blue light part was exciting but it was so intense. Loads of
assessments over the three weeks.

Now it is on to the clinical part. So far we have concentrated on the
practicalities of resus. In these 3 days we have gone on to the stage
of fitting LMA's and manual defibrillation. It is truly amazing the
amount that has sunk in to our brains over the past few days. For the
rest of the week it is consolidating the learning.

Blue Lights Day 1

Drove around Dorchester and Weymouth today in the Vaneo. Three blue
light runs altogether. Two with lights and siren. One with siren
alone. It is is truly amazing, and also quite scary, how long you can
sit behind someone with flashing blue lights and alternating
headlights before they realise that you are there. Its also amazing to
see the reactions of some drivers when they do realise that you are
there. What is scary about this is that if they run up on to the
pavement and hit someone it is more than likely that you will be
taking the blame.

Tomorrow is more of the same but in the Iveco which is a 'proper' ambulance.

Week 2

Have passed week 2 and have been recommended to go forward to the Emergency Response (aka Blue Lights) part of the course. This starts on Sunday. Can't wait.