A relatively busy weekend: five call outs. However, with all of them the ambulance crew got there before me. For most of the calls it was just a case of going in and checking if the crew needed any assistance, which mostly they did not.
With one I was told the crew were 15 minutes away to a call in an out-lying village. However they were under blue lights, and I had to get through Saturday morning traffic without breaking any road traffic laws. The ambulance crew got there before me, and did not need my assistance.
However, on two calls the crews did ask for my assistance.
With one I’d heard the ambulance’s siren as it passed the front of my house whilst I was just getting into my car at the back of the house. The thought crossed my mind that I did not have to attend, but as I could not tell if they were going to the same call as I was, I carried on. That was the right decision as, although I got there after the ambulance, the crew did ask for my assistance as the patient was in a bad way.
On the other, the crew was glad to have someone to help with recording some of their stats, while they got on with the actual direct patient care.
The truth is, when a CFR is called out there is always a good chance that an ambulance or fast response car will get there first. I regularly find myself stopping to let a crew go past on their way to the same call I am going to. However, you cannot assume that you will not still be needed.
- The crew could be going to a different call near by
- The crew could be involved in a road traffic accident or break down
- The crew could be diverted to a more urgent call
- The patient may be in a very serious condition and an extra pair of hands would be welcome
- The CFR’s local knowledge may help the crew locate a difficult to find incident
So there is always a bit of ambulance chasing involved in CFR work, but you have to do it. It’s part of the job.