Peoples Views of Medics

[The Joker]

I was away for 6 weeks with the Rdf this summer. Meet alot of new people, when I told people that I was a medic some said "you are lazy bastrads", or "what do ye ever do".
I would like to get other peoples view.:flagwave:

[FMolloy]

The usefulness of the medic depends on their ability, which can vary enormously. I've met some really good medics who knew their stuff, and I've met medics I wouldn't trust with a corpse.

[yellowjacket]

In civilian voluntary ambulance organisations members will generally be out dealing with casualties several times a month. Most will agree that they only really learn when they're dealing with real people, rather than plastic dummies.

Would RDF medics get the same chance to develop their skills?

[Liachta Cultaca]

opinion of medics

If members of the board are going voice their opinion of medics we would like them to give instances of how medics acted good or bad.

They say you have to walk a mile in a man/woman's shoes before you can judge them.

This can also be the case for medics not everybody is gung - ho We are taught life saving skills that can be used both in the military life and in civvy street and there is not many units that can say this.

[The Joker]

Would RDF medics get the same chance to develop their skills?

Yes rdf medics do get a chance to try out their newly learned skills under the supervision of a trained medic. This normally happens when a 2 star medic goes away to do medical cover with another unit whil that unit is on annual camp. The will mostly go out on the ground with the unit and deal with injuries such as dehydration, blisters, sore feet, twisted ankles. Where as with sick parade they would be under the supervision of a senior 3 star or NCO.
But you will learn alot more in the field so to speak then in any class room.

Anybody who has ever come accross a medic that had no idea what they were doing probably just meet an in experianced medic who was still tring to find their feet

[Loque]

Personally I think that the medics do a good job, they are charged with a lot of responsibility. The view that they are wasters because they do not do tactics or weapons training is stupid because they are specialists dealing with situations as they arise. They get to devote most of their time to their medical training so that they are better at fulfilling their primary role.
If no one requires medical attention on camp then that's fine but it's not the medic's fault they have nothing to do, they have to be on call and able to assist should the need arise.
They are just as dedicated as the rest of us in the reserve and shouldn't be taken for granted.

[strummer]

I seem to remember that FCA Medics used to do rotations in various Emergency Rooms in Dublin hospitals. I am talking about over 10 years ago, (showing my age!!!). Is this still the case? Do Medics, PDF and FCA, still get to put in some clinical time in the A&E Depts in working hospitals. In my view it is a good learning experience, and you get to flirt with the nurses too!!!!:D

Later.

[sba]

Hi

I'm probably in the wrong forum, but who cares really? I was a medic with the Navy, and overseas with UNIFIL. I found that the people who usually moan about medics (or in the Navy, called SBA..Sick Berth Attendant) are those who were usually the first to call for help whenever some minor tragedy befell them. Take no notice. After all, you can look at almost any other corps in the army, and find both good and bad elements. Some guys I served overseas with, who belonged to the cav, shouldnt have been put in charge of a push bike. Yet, here they were, driving around as if they owned the roads...And, you may find, that the more experienced a soldier (infantry man/cav/artillery) is, then the more respect he has for your job.

As for being called lazy, etc etc...it doesnt take a genius to squeeze a trigger. After all, how long does your average medic train for, as opposed to a grunt on the ground? Medical technologies are constantly evolving. Any idiot can take a life, but it takes someone special to save one. Yes; there are some medics out there who shouldnt be allowed open a first aid bag. But, as mentioned already, you will find that in every job in the army.

Be proud of the corps you belong to.

[Liachta Cultaca]

yes Strummer I also remember when medics did rotation in a hospital just as an "observer" but that was not always the case, we did get to muck in sometimes!!!! we did ours in James's Hospital this is still a practice every EMT has to do 6 weeks ,I think, in a hospital before being qualified so maybe the reserve was ahead of its time although we still have a good working relationship with irish health care workers we are not currently sending our medics to do this anymore but is easy arranged if we were required to update our training if we are required for overseas duty in the future

[FMolloy]

I thought I heard something about PDF medics doing stints with the Dublin Fire Brigade, it this true?

[Liachta Cultaca]

Yeah Its all part of their EMT course they DFB and EHB share the ambulance servive in Dublin the EMT course is currently run in the OBI in Marino this is where all Dublin based EMT's in the DFB and PDF do their training. As part of the course EMT students are required to do,again I'm not too sure of the figure, ride alongs with the ambulance service as a third person in the ambulance so the answer to your question FMolloy is yes the PDF have a good working relationship with the DFB

[hedgehog]

This is great and it gives us a chance to say well done to some of the medics
In the East and especially in the Brugha the 2 LSB Medics are excellent--these are commonly known as combat medics because thats what they are, the Medics I pray will be in combat with me if ever I go,and its all thanks to Sean Cahill and Dave Oconnor-Dave SLiney and Rosin Boyne and the rest who set up what is probably the most professional unit in the Defence Forces, well done, No I am not in that Unit

[Earhart]

Initially I though that medics were just for plasters and paracetamol (then the distribution of paracetamol was becoming difficult) but I was proven wrong. I did a first aid course with a Medical Compay and I was very impressed. Three full time EMT's trained a platoon of dedicated, willing, interested and hard working two stars. I was taken aback by the level of skill and professionalism demonstrated by the instructors and the students alike.

On the last day of the course we played the casualties for the medics. There was fire power and instructors screaming, lots of casualties screaming (I was hoarse for a week afterwards) as each team of medics were put through their paces. Of the five casualties I was dead! Although I still had to scream while the team was on approach. One young man came to my assistance on the last stick. He knelt over me and checked for the usual things - tilted my head back, listened for breathing and the whole lot. His instructor stood below (I was perched on a ledge in between some trees). THe instructor informed him that I was not breathing and had no pulse. I should have been left for dead. Without trying anything else or just abandoning me the young man, and I still laugh now, did a complete 'head to toe' check on me. Starting at my boots he felt his way right up my body!!! I managed not to flinch or giggle. He claimed it was accidental and he was not trying to cop a feel or the like - he got some abuse after that though

[Johnny2Stripes]

Didnt know much about the medics till the camp in the glen this summer - They did a great job on a few of the soldiers there! I suppose it isnt really fair but until something major happens, the medics dont seem to be recognised as the professional outfit that they are! Well done!

[T.I.M.]

Originally posted by FMolloy
I thought I heard something about PDF medics doing stints with the Dublin Fire Brigade, it this true?

tis true!