We also see a lot more than combat troops. I’m an army reserve member (US) and have had 8 deployments since 2002. I’ve been a EMT/paramedic in my civilan job since 1997. I have seen more gun shot wounds in EMS than in the military, and a lot more dead people. Many of those I was actively trying to save. The movie “Code 3” is very close to some of what we do, and “Bring out your dead” (nick cage) shows a lot of the emotional side of the job. (Mothet, Jugs, and Speed is just funny) https://fountain.fm/episode/LloJvVj0RC7HaQl03Hkl

EMS (some places are part of Fire) has the highest non-combat rates of PTSD. We see, hear, smell, touch, and are part of some of the worst moments in a persons life. There is no normal shift. Interrupted sleep (if you get any), no meal breaks, no stopping to rest. Worse is the swing in calls. First run, old man slid out of recliner lift assist, then short of air 21 yo anxiety attack, then 4 yo drowning, 57 yo injuried toe possible Gangrene, 19 yo fever, overdose 37yo at club, 49 yo homeless “cold injury”, and last on shift car crash three kids not in car seats adult not buckled minor damage but serious injuries. Go home and fall asleep for four hours then go back to work. We are hireing, paramedics start at $18.00 USD https://fountain.fm/episode/LloJvVj0RC7HaQl03Hkl

People help others. 
Yesterday we went to a dinner for person down. 
When we arrived two people were doing cpr on the patient. 
They did not know the patient, just saw the patient collapse and helped. 
Others cleared the area for us, held the doors and had called 911. 
The patient was a complete stranger to them. #love

First training march for the Norwegian Foot March in six weeks. Have five hours to go 18.6 miles with a 30 lb pack. Pretty sure if I’m careful in training I’ll be able to do it. (But boy do my shoulders hurt, legs/feet just feel warm and normal) #Norwegian #runner

Went to my Friendly Local Coin Shop (FLCS) and picked this up for my monthly buy. Every paycheck I put $25 into an envelope and once a month buy an ounce of #silver.

My neighbor has a tree that in the early fall, before the leaves drop, casts a shadow on my #solar panels. You can see the little dip about 1700 where it hits. It will get worse through October. But once the leaves drop it goes away. In spring it gets it leaves after it casts.

Frustrating #EMSlife a collision last shift with a 4 yo in the front seat with just the lap belt on. Hit be another car that ran the light. Car seat in the back. Asked the parent why the kid was not in the car seat: “if I knew I was going to be in an accident I would have”.

Happy #LaborDay Or as we call it in EMS: Monday.