Life Death And Hiccups

A brief bio.

My name is Aaron. Im fancy paramedic that try’s to do good things for people in an EMS system that encourages me to do that. Sometimes I wrote things cuz I like to write… so here goes. 

Life 

Death

And hiccups.

At the end of this story I’m going to tell you something that will change your life. First you have to listen to me though, so buckle up kiddos we are gonna get real for a few minutes.

Regarding life.

You are an EMT/ Paramedic. Your job is to do your best to preserve life. Within that objective there is no room for moral subjectivity, everyone who gets in your ambulance gets treated the same. Because everyone is somebody’s someone. If you can’t find any compassion for your patient.. you can always find compassion for the person who cares about your patient. There is ALWAYS someone, somewhere who will be upset or scared, or sad if your patient doesn’t make it home. That person will always deserve your best , no matter what. Even if you don’t think your  patient does.

Regarding death.

Everyone says they want to die with dignity. NO ONE  ever does. You will see people die in a multitude of ways. You’ll see blood and tears and anger. You’ll see shit and vomit and fear. Dignity will be in short supply. It’s your job to help those who are left navigate those murky waters. And that my friends is one of, if not the most noble callings there is. To guide someone though a storm when you are unsure of your own abilities. Showing others that there is safe harbor when all they see is storm clouds… that’s why you are here. 

Regarding hiccups.

I promised you I’d change your life if you read this far.. I try to keep my word. So here we go. 

If you have ever had the hiccups this is for you. Recently people who are smarter than me have figured out that hiccups are caused by a leftover evolutionary process, specifically the process of life changing from sea to land, or fish to mammal. In short, the next time you have the hiccups tell yourself, OUT LOUD, that you are not a fish….

I promise you your hiccups will go away. 

That’s it. That’s how you do this job. 

Care for people when they need it.

Preserve and respect dignity when you can.

And remember, you are not a fish.