Although clinical practice and patient communication are key elements of the paramedic role, being an ‘ambulance driver’ is also integral. Often, the public misconception is that members of the ambulance service just drive around incredibly fast with flashing lights and sirens! However, we all know that this is actually a key part of a shift.
While I feel confident in my 1-litre car, an ambulance with a poorly person in tow has its daunting moments! I undertook my C1 license last summer after my first year at university and was lucky enough to experience a couple of days of practising in a larger vehicle. Having my driving scrutinised took me back to being 17 years old all over again (my parents remember that well!). After scrolling through what felt like hundreds of pages of road signs, I felt truly relieved once I had jumped over that first hurdle and passed.
Luckily, during my emergency care support worker (ECSW) partnership role, I was able to undertake my Level 3 Certificate in Emergency Response Ambulance Driving (CERAD). Undertaking the 4-week blue-light course with my friends was most likely going to be a great experience and I could hardly contain my excitement! However, I appreciated that it was going to be difficult and probably extremely stressful.
Concentrating so intensely during the first week of the course was hard work, and had more of an emotional impact on me than I expected. I kept thinking it was not just about the driving, but also the emergency journeys we would be making in order to treat patients. The instructor took us out in a group of three and we were able to swap around and take turns as passenger/driver. We soon became used to scrutinising each other's performances and even managed to create some humour along the way!
My second week was broken down into helpful modules, which covered many elements including response driving and exemptions, which I found interesting due to the instructors animating the content. By the end of the third week, I was of the opinion that my own driving had improved significantly. Thankfully, the instructor thought the same. My exams had the added bonus of being multiple choice, which I found easier and dreaded less!
I was overwhelmed by my first blue-light drive and, while it was only a short run, driving around other cars and on the wrong side of the road added to the tension in the vehicle! The instructor was very helpful though and focused on building my confidence. Narrating my drives and watching my colleagues also added to my multitasking skills.
By the fourth week, I was loving it! It was exciting and exhilarating, and I felt all elements of our learning finally adhering together. Night driving on blue lights brings new challenges. We experienced one evening when the rain was torrential, which resulted in tension headaches all round! The build-up on my final exam day was immense; however, I finished my driving run near a bakery where we stopped and got a sweet treat (or several!). Every cloud has a silver lining! I booked shifts soon after to keep up-to-date with driving and I can honestly say that this is now one of my favourite parts of every shift!