The Chronicles of EMS Reality Series was filming Mark’s visit to the SFFD, in case you haven’t been reading this blog. Or twitter. Or Facebook. OK, I think everyone knew that, but did you know being filmed while doing patient care is tough?
Our pal Mark has had cameras along for the ride before. This was my first time having non co-workers and non-family members in the back of the ambulance with me. Having a preceptor in the back is hard enough, but having these guys back there can really make you sweat. In case you’re thinking it’s no big deal, keep in mind how many little things you do that might not be the exact prescribed method. Little short cuts and tricks that help you do your job better, but might need a little explanation can give the perception that you don’t care.
I hope I don’t come off that way on camera. Having Mark, a fully licensed Paramedic, watching was OK, but directly over Mark’s head was a large mounted camera capturing the entire patient compartment. Next to Mark, near the pass through was Producer/Director and also licensed Paramedic Ted Setla, camera moving to capture my movements as I treated. Then at the edge of the bench seat was Camera Stud (My term, not his) Chris Eldridge moving his camera around as well, making my wonder what they were capturing.
At a motor vehicle versus pedestrian accident, I made my scene survey and made patient contact, Mark close behind. As I got a report from the engine company I took another look at the car involved and there on the other side of it, looking at me, was the Dridge and his camera. Turning a quarter to my right, there was Ted, doing the same. I didn’t want to be that Medic we all hate to see, doing something stupid on camera. “Just do what’s right and nothing goes wrong,” was all I could hear in my head. Could they see me sweating hoping I don’t screw up the IV or make a wrong decision?
It turns out, on that run at least, I appeared calm and collected, even though I was screaming on the inside. Ever had one of those patients that just needs to calm down and relax but won’t stop crying? Mark stepped in, sexy accent (Her description, not mine) and all to calm her and hold her hand while I worked. Strong work, Mate.
No pressure. Just act natural.
It’s easy to say “just be yourself” here in my recliner, but saying that over and over again at the time made me even more self conscious of the cameras and what I was doing. It didn’t change any treatment, everyone got what they needed, but it really made me focus on the little details. Where normally I would leave a sharps down (our caths auto retract for safety but I like to get a sugar off of it later) on the chux until later in the run, I now swiftly secured it.
Times when I would tell patients, and especially clients, that they need to stop smoking, drinking and shooting heroin to get better, I made more of a broad speech about personal responsibility. My usual speech comes off a bit preachy I’m told, so I left it behind.
And it’s not just the emergency calls that makes having the film crew along rough, it’s the down time.
Let me choose a better phrase than downtime, “Interviews.”
After every run and most spare moments we talked on camera about our experiences to that point. If we had nothing to say, we were updating twitter and facebook with photos and thoughts, always trying to keep you guys up to date.
On the ambulance the cameras were pretty easy to get used to, but on the engine it was just the Dridge. He would go running to the engine when the first bells hit, climb in my side and across to the other side of the engine, staying as out of the way as you can with 4 people in a 4 person cab. After the Dridge, Mark would climb in, giving me room to turn out or in case of a medical, just climb in and take my jump seat. Getting dressed for a fire in a moving fire engine is a learned skill. Doing it with a camera rolling isn’t much different, but with all seats full and gear all over, it took a few runs to get the hang of it.
I hope the footage they got gives you the story of what we went through. There wasn’t a lot of helicopter action, no MCIs, and nobody fell in love. As far as I know. So it’s not the usual EMS show that has been thrown at us before we could duck. I’m excited to see how the Chronicles team puts it together and shows it to you. Although you already know what is going to happen, since you’ve been following along the whole time.
More updates on the Project and Chronicles of EMS to come, including my thoughts about the NEAS Administration, giant patient compartments with extra space and something I like to call a bad ass training facility.
Also on The Happy Medic…
- I’m on a boat – November 15, 2009
- Thoughts on the Project so far – November 9, 2009
- the Project rolls on! – November 12, 2009
- Preparation for tomorrow – November 9, 2009
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