I’m a Canadian Paramedic

And so it begins!

I’ve just returned home from my first ‘tour’ working front line here in Alberta. They refer to a block of shifts as a tour, and for me this consisted of two earlies (0530-1730) and two nights (1730-0530).

I decided to drive up to Rocky Mountain House on Sunday night to save myself a 0300 alarm Monday morning, smart move I’d say. It’s funny because I think I was more nervous about arriving, finding the door, putting in the right code and walking in than I was my actual first day!! Luckily it was all smooth and a crew were inside to help me, here they have 10 bedrooms (I think) all with a clothes rail and a single bed. I found a vacant room and settled in. This particular station has one ‘12 hour’ and one ‘core flex’ truck each day. So there’s a rotation of crews doing days/nights and then always a core flex crew on shift, they are on call 24/7. This is why there are beds here! I’ve not slept in a single bed since I was about 14, but armed with my sleeping bag (thanks Meaghan) I got a good sleep.

For my first tour I was paired with a crew, Candace and Paul. I really thought I’d be an English novelty but that was short lived when Paul introduced himself with a lovely English accent and it turns out he moved her 20+ years ago (that’s my one cool thing blown dammit). They were lovely and showed me the ropes, I think secretly they were pleased I wasn’t fresh out of school and actually had common sense and experience. Most things are the same but there are a few small differences I’ll list here:

• A stretcher is called a cot

• It’s not a ‘blue call’ it’s a ‘hot call’ (makes sense because their emergency lights aren’t blue)

• No tail lifts, highly upsetting having to actually lift patients on the ‘cot’ into the truck

• Oh it’s not a truck it’s a bus (not a nice red one like London)

• If the patient wants to go, they go. Apparently I can’t refuse even if they do only have a cut toe.

• The radios are HUGE

• Every patient asks which part of Australia I’m from, this is already grating.

As for the job itself, people are people no matter where you go. I’ve done my best to memorise the protocols and new drugs, but still have their app if needed (it’s NOWHERE near as good as the JRCALC but it’s better than nothing). My most Canadian job I did by far was a boy who was bucked off his horse at a rodeo, I mean that definitely doesn’t happen in London (by the way, he was fine). The call volume rural is significantly less than London, but transport times are bigger. I like this because you get to actually treat and stabilise the patient for longer. Driving the ‘bus’ is pretty similar, although going from a brand new E-Mustang to a very Old Ford with 600,00Km+ is a shock to the system. The communications and digital system is waaaaay behind what we have in London, I’ve been absolutely spoilt there, so that’s another adjustment.

Overall it’s been soooooo good to be patient facing on the front line again. Even with many small differences it’s been easy to pick up. Unfortunately they don’t have a full time spot for me at a station near Calgary at the moment so I’ll pick up casual shifts at Rocky and Sylvan. They do however have a temporary full time spot at Rocky in December which I’ll take (if I pass my COPR exam on 15th).

So please all cross your fingers and toes that I pass.

Nothing beats doing what I know best, in London being a paramedic was my life, it took up all my time and my entire social circle. The adjustment not having that here has been tough but slowly I’m hoping it’ll work itself out. Trying to make friends as a grown 28 year old (pretend) adult is hard. Maybe I’ll join a pickleball team?

Em x