0:00:01 > 0:00:03'Ambulance service, tell me what happened.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05'It's me husband. I can't wake him up.'
0:00:05 > 0:00:07'Just confirm for me. Is he awake?
0:00:07 > 0:00:11- 'He's comatose. I'm trying to feel a pulse, but I can't.- Right...'
0:00:11 > 0:00:14'He's on the floor. He's unresponsive.'
0:00:14 > 0:00:15LOUD BEEPING
0:00:15 > 0:00:18TANNOY: 'Cardiac arrest. 38-year-old male...'
0:00:18 > 0:00:20A call to a cardiac arrest.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24The paramedics have just eight minutes to get to the scene.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26SIREN WAILS
0:00:27 > 0:00:30And just 12 minutes to save the patient's life.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34- Can we do another pulse check, just before we move him?- Yeah.
0:00:35 > 0:00:39It's a scenario that can test the most experienced paramedic.
0:00:42 > 0:00:47But what if you're a first-year student and you're new on the job?
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Six weeks ago, nine junior paramedics
0:00:54 > 0:00:57took on the biggest challenge of their lives,
0:00:57 > 0:01:01with their first placement with the East Midlands Ambulance Service.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04It is a shock the first time you actually go out
0:01:04 > 0:01:06and see the first patient.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08It's a job where no day is the same.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11I don't think Lucy wants you to stroke her.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13The experience has been an eye-opener.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16We're with you. We're with you.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18It's been a crazy rollercoaster
0:01:18 > 0:01:22and my emotions have been everywhere.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24These young and untested students
0:01:24 > 0:01:27have dealt with real people in real pain.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30'I want to help more people and do everything that I can'
0:01:30 > 0:01:31for anybody that I can.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34I felt really privileged caring for people in the community
0:01:34 > 0:01:36and just helping people out.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39They've coped with carnage and chaos.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44There are some jobs that you go into and every pair of hands counts.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46I don't think anybody knows themselves well enough
0:01:46 > 0:01:48to know how they'll deal with that.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51And they've even confronted death.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55No-one taught me at uni how to not be frightened in a situation.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57They've had six weeks to prove
0:01:57 > 0:02:00they've got what it takes to be a paramedic...
0:02:00 > 0:02:02I don't get emotional very often.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05Things will hit you and they'll hit you hard.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08What I want to do, I want to kill myself.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12..and deal with life on the emergency front line.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17But they've all come through it and made the grade.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20I can't wait to get back on my next placement and do it all again.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23This is their story.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Three months ago, our nine new recruits
0:02:31 > 0:02:34arrived at the University of Northampton.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43Obviously, university is a big challenge
0:02:43 > 0:02:46and training to be a paramedic is a big step.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51Many were coping with being away from home for the first time.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53I don't know what to do!
0:02:53 > 0:02:57Whenever anyone cooks, like, a proper meal, there's about 20 pans
0:02:57 > 0:03:00that you have to wash up and nobody washes them up.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02I'm too much of a mummy's girl!
0:03:02 > 0:03:06But these were no ordinary students.
0:03:06 > 0:03:07Oh, God, it's tight!
0:03:07 > 0:03:09Yeah, mine is as well.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12After just six weeks in the classroom,
0:03:12 > 0:03:14they were suited and booted,
0:03:14 > 0:03:17ready for gruelling 12-hour shifts on ambulances...
0:03:20 > 0:03:23I've never been on an ambulance personally.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26You really, really don't know where you're going,
0:03:26 > 0:03:28what you're going to see or how you're going to cope.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30SIREN WAILS
0:03:30 > 0:03:32..aided and abetted by their mentors,
0:03:32 > 0:03:35who would be constantly assessing them.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37My advice is never run.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39It's better to get there than not to get there at all or
0:03:39 > 0:03:43fall over and make a complete arse of yourself when you do get there.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47And as D-Day dawned, first-day nerves were hitting home.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50The thought of, like, the control saying, "It's a cardiac arrest,"
0:03:50 > 0:03:54I'm instantly going to be like, "Oh, my God, here we go, this is me!"
0:03:54 > 0:03:56So it's going to be quite scary.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00I'm absolutely terrified.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03It's quite a scary thought
0:04:03 > 0:04:06that someone's life could be, like, in my hands today
0:04:06 > 0:04:09This is absolutely huge on me.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13It's actually, actually happening.
0:04:13 > 0:04:18As the first to go out, 18-year-old Steph was a bag of nerves
0:04:18 > 0:04:22when she got the call every junior paramedic dreads.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26- MAN ON RADIO:- '38-year-old male, cardiac arrest, over.'
0:04:34 > 0:04:37VOICES ON RADIO, SIREN WAILS
0:04:38 > 0:04:40My heart is absolutely racing!
0:04:40 > 0:04:42When we go in, we'll confirm it is a cardiac arrest,
0:04:42 > 0:04:46- cos it might not be.- Yeah. - So A, B, Cs, yeah?- Yeah.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48If it is, we'll get the pads on straight away.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50- I don't know how to do that. - I'll do that.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52- Yeah.- You start chest compressions, OK?
0:04:52 > 0:04:56- And we'll just have you doing chest compressions just to start with.- OK.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59- Take a deep breath.- Yeah. - You'll be fine.- I'm scared.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08'I was absolutely terrified. It came through as a cardiac arrest.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11'I was in this ambulance for about 30 seconds going over in my head,
0:05:11 > 0:05:13'trying to remember how to do compressions.'
0:05:13 > 0:05:15It's simple, I knew how to do it,
0:05:15 > 0:05:18but you forget, because you're so frightened.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23Lots of drug problems round here, so it could be an opiate overdose,
0:05:23 > 0:05:26- so check the pupils quite quickly. - What? You want me to do that?
0:05:26 > 0:05:30- Erm, whoever the gets chance first. - Well, OK, cos I'm scared.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34The call turned out to be a false alarm.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39But Steph's next case - a major road traffic accident -
0:05:39 > 0:05:41had very real casualties.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45And this time, she needed to keep her composure.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54With other emergency services having already arrived,
0:05:54 > 0:05:56the scene was carnage.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Right, it looks quite nasty, so grab a couple of collars.
0:05:59 > 0:06:04Mentor Sam needed to quickly work out how many casualties there were.
0:06:04 > 0:06:05How many persons are there?
0:06:05 > 0:06:09- We've got three casualties for you, all with serious head injuries.- OK.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11One down the ditch. We can lift her out no problem.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14- Was she thrown from the car to this position?- Yes.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16In the collision, the woman in the ditch
0:06:16 > 0:06:19was thrown a staggering 10 metres from the vehicle.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21MEN SHOUT
0:06:21 > 0:06:24Rachel, please can you go see to that one?
0:06:25 > 0:06:27Steph, stay with me. So this one...
0:06:27 > 0:06:30The priority was the woman in the ditch.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37- Steph, can you go grab the monitor and the obs bag, yeah?- Yeah.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41- Where am I taking the monitor? To you?- Bring the monitor here.- Yeah.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47Although it was chaos all around her, Steph kept her head.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50WOMAN PANTS Get a 100% oxygen mask.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59Steph, try and get down here if you can. Bring the oxygen with you.
0:07:03 > 0:07:08'When you go to, like, these big jobs, like really awful things,
0:07:08 > 0:07:11'you sort of realise that you have to have quite
0:07:11 > 0:07:13'a solid shell on your outside, like you need to'
0:07:13 > 0:07:17be able to walk in there and not cry and not be shocked
0:07:17 > 0:07:19and expect the worst.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22HELICOPTER FLIES OVERHEAD MAN: Can you hear me?
0:07:23 > 0:07:25The sheer scale of the incident
0:07:25 > 0:07:27meant the air ambulance was called in.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31She's been thrown from car into this position.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34We haven't moved her at all since we got on scene.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36WOMAN GROANS Haven't got any obs yet...
0:07:36 > 0:07:39The woman in the ditch needed to get to hospital as soon as possible.
0:07:42 > 0:07:47With a risk of spinal injuries, she was moved using a rigid stretcher.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51Right, down.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55You're OK.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57- Oxygen on?- Yeah.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00- WOMAN MUTTERS Pardon?- What's happened?
0:08:00 > 0:08:05- You've had a car accident. - Aw...- But you're all right.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08The paramedic who holds the head of a patient
0:08:08 > 0:08:12is in charge in incidents attended by the emergency services.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16In this case, that was Steph.
0:08:16 > 0:08:17Ready, brace, lower.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24As the air paramedics took over,
0:08:24 > 0:08:27Steph and Sam turn their attention to moving a male casualty.
0:08:27 > 0:08:32Once again, Steph found herself in control of his neck.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35- Just relax. - MAN: No, just relax.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37We'll take the weight.
0:08:37 > 0:08:42- It's so we can pick you up.- OK. - Just relax, that's it.- Well done.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44I can't lift my head up?
0:08:44 > 0:08:47You can't lift your head up, I've got it for you.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50- Got it controlled?- Yeah.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Ready, brace, turn.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01Once secure, the man was taken to hospital for vital treatment.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18And Steph could reflect on her first big incident.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22I was really glad we were the first ones there,
0:09:22 > 0:09:24cos sometimes the learning isn't about what you do,
0:09:24 > 0:09:26but you get to see Sam go in and decide
0:09:26 > 0:09:30who's their first priority patient, who's going to deal with what.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32You can see that the paramedic is the number one person,
0:09:32 > 0:09:35because they're in charge of the lives here.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41She did really well. I'm really, really pleased with her.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44She got involved from the very first job.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57While Steph was proving she could cope under pressure,
0:09:57 > 0:09:5919-year-old Amy's biggest fear
0:09:59 > 0:10:03was keeping her feelings in check in front of patients.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08'Those emotions inside. I'm quite an emotional person.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10'I do cry at everything.' VOICES ON RADIO
0:10:10 > 0:10:13That was quickly put to the test when she and mentor Shay
0:10:13 > 0:10:17went to help a man who thought he'd been bitten by a spider.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21- Hello?- Hello there. - Hello, is it yourself?
0:10:21 > 0:10:23- Are you coming in?- 'He was probably my favourite patient.'
0:10:23 > 0:10:26The lovely person that he was and how lovely he was,
0:10:26 > 0:10:29he just was probably one of the nicest people I've ever met.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32It really did stick in my mind that job.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35- So, Ron, what's actually happened today?- What happened was...
0:10:35 > 0:10:36Oops!
0:10:38 > 0:10:42- I tell you what, shall we just sit there for a second?- Yeah, yeah.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45Let's just sit there for a second. Just tell us what happened.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48I went into... I'm sorry, I'm a bit emotional.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- Don't worry. Ron, don't worry. - I got the oranges...
0:10:51 > 0:10:54Ron revealed that, since returning from the shops,
0:10:54 > 0:10:57he'd also had a blackout and fall,
0:10:57 > 0:11:01meaning that this callout had taken a more serious turn.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05Acting fast to changing circumstances,
0:11:05 > 0:11:09Amy needed to do an ECG to monitor Ron's heart rate.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12- I'm just going to pop these on your chest.- Right.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14But there was a sticking point.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18His chest hair was getting in the way of the monitor's pads,
0:11:18 > 0:11:20so Amy needed to do some gardening.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23I really apologise, but we have to shave your chest a little bit...
0:11:23 > 0:11:26- Yes, yes.- ..just so these can stick on, cos they're not going to stick
0:11:26 > 0:11:29and they're not going to read correctly.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31- I haven't done this before.- No. - SHE LAUGHS
0:11:33 > 0:11:37- Um...- Do it in that motion. - On this?- Yeah.- OK.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- It's just to get the sticky dots on.- OK.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43'Probably one of the things on the job that you think'
0:11:43 > 0:11:47you never sort of sign up... is shave somebody's hairy chest.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50- Where am I going, like? Can you do it?- Just...
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Sorry, I don't want to hurt you, cos I haven't done this.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55- Very good. Very wise. - SHE LAUGHS
0:11:57 > 0:12:00I got Shay to do it. I was nervous in case I was going to cut him.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02But, um, that was an interesting experience
0:12:02 > 0:12:06and at least I know how to deal with it next time that comes along.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09With the test out of the way,
0:12:09 > 0:12:12Ron started to open up about his late wife.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14..the ambulance would be there. But it was about 11 o'clock
0:12:14 > 0:12:17we came back from the hospital and she died at half past ten at night.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21- Yeah, half past ten. - Mmm.- She died.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25It's something I'll never, never, never get over, never get over.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28I'll never get over losing her.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30- It's...it's hard.- Yeah.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32It's hard, very, very hard.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36I find it very hard, yeah, without her.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38Cos we were...we were like one.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42God, we were. It was incredible.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45- I talked...- 'I feel really stupid for like getting teary about it,
0:12:45 > 0:12:49'but it's just... it's just a sad story.'
0:12:49 > 0:12:52I think... I don't know the man from Adam,
0:12:52 > 0:12:55but I think I can totally relate, like my nana's got dementia
0:12:55 > 0:12:59and my grandad, he's now living by himself,
0:12:59 > 0:13:04he gets lonely and it just... it sort of brings it home like that.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16As they found their feet, all the juniors quickly learned
0:13:16 > 0:13:21that there was more to being a paramedic than saving lives.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24- Are you all right for a minute while I just nip out?- Yeah.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27Using the gift of the gab to put patients at ease
0:13:27 > 0:13:30is a key skill for any junior paramedic.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35- Awkward silence? - Some struggled initially.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41- Some tried but failed. - Look, who's that?
0:13:41 > 0:13:44CHILD CRIES
0:13:44 > 0:13:46BABY WAILING
0:13:47 > 0:13:50And others were naturals.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52How many chickens you got?
0:13:52 > 0:13:53- About 50.- 50?!
0:13:53 > 0:13:57LAUGHTER No, OK, just try to breathe normally.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02- I got whacked!- Right! - LAUGHTER
0:14:02 > 0:14:05- I didn't mean it! - LAUGHTER CONTINUES
0:14:07 > 0:14:08Confidence is key
0:14:08 > 0:14:12and cocksure junior Max had bucket loads of the stuff.
0:14:15 > 0:14:20Max's easy manner made him a big hit with his older patients.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24- Can Max just do your blood pressure, is that OK?- Yeah.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28- You've got a nice fat lip there, haven't you, Doreen?- I have.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31- So have you just been doing a bit of shopping, then?- Yeah.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34You can tell everyone the other person came off worse, can't you?
0:14:34 > 0:14:37Shall we get Max to escort you to the toilet?
0:14:37 > 0:14:41- Can I have a feel of your hips, Doreen? Just tell me...- That's nice!
0:14:47 > 0:14:50So Max cracked it with the older generation,
0:14:50 > 0:14:54but his next call was just five months old.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56He's been vomiting since last Friday
0:14:56 > 0:14:58and then, last night, it was proper projectile.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01Everything just came out, he won't feed at all.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04When he coughs as well, like it chokes him.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07- BABY GURGLES - Has he been treated for...?
0:15:07 > 0:15:10The baby had suspected bronchiolitis.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13He was seven weeks premature, so that's why I was a bit worried
0:15:13 > 0:15:15- with his lungs and that.- OK.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17Max's mentor Chris was keen
0:15:17 > 0:15:21to get his new starter involved in the tiny patient's tests.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25Max is going to take some blood out of your little heel, mate,
0:15:25 > 0:15:27and it might make you all upset.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- You got little ticklish feet? - Is he tickling your feet?
0:15:30 > 0:15:33- BABY FUSSES - It's all right, mate.
0:15:37 > 0:15:38Good boy.
0:15:40 > 0:15:45- Job done.- Right, if you can dressed, then, Mum, we'll pop him into A&E.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49And with the tricky procedures out of the way, Max could make sure
0:15:49 > 0:15:53this young patient and his mum got a comfortable trip to hospital.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55You're in an ambulance, mate.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58I know for a fact that, if I had a child that was unwell,
0:15:58 > 0:16:00I'd be quite worried and a bit unhappy,
0:16:00 > 0:16:03so you have to take into consideration that the parents...
0:16:03 > 0:16:07You got to calm them down, reassure them,
0:16:07 > 0:16:10but look after the baby in the meantime and I really enjoy that.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12You're moving your hat all round.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15It's going over your eyes. Where have you gone?
0:16:15 > 0:16:19- Eh? Your mum will remind you of this when you're older.- I will do.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32Unlike Max, Lucy Wright's bedside manner
0:16:32 > 0:16:34initially left a lot to be desired.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37Here we go.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40'The only thing I struggle with being a student paramedic
0:16:40 > 0:16:43'is the interaction with people.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45'If it's an elderly person, I'm really, like, withdrawn,
0:16:45 > 0:16:48'cos I don't want to offend this person'
0:16:48 > 0:16:51and then, if it's the same age as me, you can't always assume
0:16:51 > 0:16:55that they're going to relate in the way you want them to.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01On shift in Leicester,
0:17:01 > 0:17:06mentor Natalie thought the time had come to push her student harder.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09I'm going to let you lead this one, see how you go.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13Remember your questioning. A, B, Cs.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16Natalie wanted Lucy to deal with the patient directly
0:17:16 > 0:17:19to assess her condition.
0:17:22 > 0:17:28Hello. Hello, I'm Lucy, a student paramedic. How are we feeling today?
0:17:28 > 0:17:32- Have you got asthma? - COPD.- COPD, right, OK.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36But with the patient distressed and gasping for air,
0:17:36 > 0:17:40Natalie had no choice but to step in and take control.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43Have you ever had a nebulizer before? Yeah?
0:17:43 > 0:17:46Oh, I feel sick!
0:17:47 > 0:17:50Whilst Natalie went off to chat with the patient's husband...
0:17:50 > 0:17:54- Are these all the ones she takes? - The ones she started today, yeah.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57..Lucy began to carry out a series of tests.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00Try not to move too much, you don't need to move too much.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02It was also Lucy's job to keep the patient calm
0:18:02 > 0:18:05and reassured at all times.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16But shyness had gotten the better of her.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21Back in the fast response vehicle,
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Lucy's mentor gave her some feedback.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27You need a lot of pushing to approach the patient.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30You said at the very start of this placement
0:18:30 > 0:18:32that you do struggle with speaking to people or some people.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35That is evident, because, obviously,
0:18:35 > 0:18:39um...one of the biggest things about this job is communication...
0:18:39 > 0:18:41- Yeah.- ..and it doesn't have to be on a clinical basis.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44- Um...- I'm just scared of like offending people, mainly.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46Because I'm so young, especially like elderly,
0:18:46 > 0:18:48I don't want to say anything wrong
0:18:48 > 0:18:50and I just don't know how to chat as such,
0:18:50 > 0:18:51but I'll have to get used to it.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55It is only small talk, it is something
0:18:55 > 0:18:58that you need to master when you become a paramedic.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08So when a diabetic lady needed to go to hospital,
0:19:08 > 0:19:12it was the perfect opportunity for Lucy to practise her small talk.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16- Right, I'm going to do another BM on you.- Do you have to?
0:19:16 > 0:19:20- Was it on this finger originally? - Yes.- I'll do it on another one.- Aw!
0:19:20 > 0:19:23Sharp scratch.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27- 15.9.- Ooh! Down!- It's down. - It's coming down.- Yeah, man.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31- Ah! Ah! - Keep it nice and relaxed, Sadie.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34Because otherwise, it will go tighter. Yeah.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37They ought to invent a new thing for this.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40Whoever invented this blood pressure thing was a nutter!
0:19:40 > 0:19:42Weren't normal at the time!
0:19:42 > 0:19:47- Oh, it's vile!- It's done it. - Thank God for that!- That's fine.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50With the checks complete, there was time for some chitchat.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54- So what did you do before? - A bit of everything, really.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58- I used to work at Halfords.- So what made you want to be a paramedic?
0:19:58 > 0:20:03- I don't know. A bit of madness. - It's not madness.- No, it's lovely.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05Um, well, I met someone who was a paramedic
0:20:05 > 0:20:09and I used to really like writing and I started getting into medicine
0:20:09 > 0:20:12and I liked the fast pace of being a paramedic.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15- So there we go. We're here.- Wow.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21- Is it rewarding?- It is, yeah. - And challenging?- I love doing it.
0:20:21 > 0:20:26Having Sadie on the ambulance was a big boost to Lucy's confidence.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29When you've done your two years, you want to be like Natalie, obviously.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33- Yeah, I will be. I'll be qualified. - Will you?- Yeah, at the end of it.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37Aw, bless you. You're such... And you're good with words.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40- Very encouraging a young girl of her age is doing it, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43'I'm not afraid to talk to patients any more.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46'I'm still afraid of offending older people, but then again,
0:20:46 > 0:20:50'it's just having the life experience and I'm only young,'
0:20:50 > 0:20:52so I'm not going to have, you know, loads of it.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55But I try and do what I can to, like, build my confidence.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04As the juniors' placements reached the halfway mark,
0:21:04 > 0:21:07the long hours and erratic shift patterns
0:21:07 > 0:21:09were starting to take their toll.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19I'm absolutely shattered to the point
0:21:19 > 0:21:22where I'm just dragging my feet along now. I'm that tired.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26Last Saturday, and I was, like, I'm too tired to talk.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29I feel shattered.
0:21:29 > 0:21:34It gets to you halfway through. About 3am, you feel it then.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40For those living in university halls,
0:21:40 > 0:21:42the novelty was beginning to wear off.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48Sometimes, you just get to the point where you could punch someone,
0:21:48 > 0:21:50because you're that tired and that hungry
0:21:50 > 0:21:54and you just want to go to bed and they've got music on
0:21:54 > 0:21:57- Turn your- BLEEP- music off!
0:21:57 > 0:22:01I had to buy myself some earplugs. I've never used ear plugs before!
0:22:05 > 0:22:07ALARM CLOCK BLARES
0:22:10 > 0:22:14For usually pretty boy Max, getting out of bed in the morning
0:22:14 > 0:22:18was proving to be the most difficult task of the day.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20I'm not really a morning person. I hate mornings.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22I really do. I despise mornings.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26I just want to stay in bed. I like my bed too much.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34So it was only a matter of time before the inevitable happened.
0:22:35 > 0:22:40It's nearly 6 o'clock, um, we're on a 5.30 shift. Max is running late.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43I'm just ringing him to see where Max is.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47PHONE RINGS
0:22:47 > 0:22:50'I'm sorry, but the person you've called is not available.'
0:22:50 > 0:22:54Hi, Max. It's Chris. Um, obviously, you're late in.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57Can you, er, ring us if you get the chance?
0:23:00 > 0:23:04If junior paramedics miss jobs, there's a lot at stake.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08They're constantly being assessed towards their final degree mark.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12Being late is not tolerated and could lead to a fail.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15If we get a really decent job, it's going to be a shame, really,
0:23:15 > 0:23:20because, once we're out, it is really difficult to come back.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27As the screen bleeps and we've got a job, so...we're going to have to go.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29SIREN WAILS
0:23:29 > 0:23:32Could have done with Max, really. The more hands, the better.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48When Max finally arrived for work, he was stranded at the station
0:23:48 > 0:23:51until mentor Chris could find a window to meet him.
0:23:53 > 0:23:58I just...fell back to sleep when my alarm went off.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01- I'm just- BLEEP- off that I'm late.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11When he finally tracked his ambulance down at Leicester Royal,
0:24:11 > 0:24:14it had a not-too-happy Chris on board.
0:24:14 > 0:24:19- Morning.- Afternoon, Max! - You all right?- Yeah.
0:24:19 > 0:24:24So what time do you call this, then? What's happened, then, this morning?
0:24:24 > 0:24:27- Just didn't get out of bed. - You just didn't get out of bed?- No.
0:24:27 > 0:24:32People can say, "Oh, he's lazy," but it does take it out of you
0:24:32 > 0:24:35doing two day shifts and two night shifts of 12 hours
0:24:35 > 0:24:38and you're just absolutely shattered.
0:24:38 > 0:24:44So, as a forfeit, then, for being late,
0:24:44 > 0:24:48- cos you've now missed some hours cos you're 2½ hours late...- Yeah.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51..you're going to have to come in Sunday. You're going to have to work
0:24:51 > 0:24:55from half past five till half past one to make your hours up.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58- You're actually going to make me do that?- Yeah.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03Totally.
0:25:03 > 0:25:08We need to push on with your, um, actual, um, assessment.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11So not good work. We've missed a bit this morning.
0:25:11 > 0:25:12So we need to catch up.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27For the rest of his shift, Max worked extra hard
0:25:27 > 0:25:32to make up for being late and show his mentor how serious he was.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37Come on, bud. Do you want to come in our ambulance, eh?
0:25:37 > 0:25:39Come to me. Hello.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44- Cheers, mate.- See you later.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59Someone who'd never have been late for either uni or placement
0:25:59 > 0:26:02was super-studious Vick.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06She's desperate to become a paramedic,
0:26:06 > 0:26:08but failed to get on the course four times
0:26:08 > 0:26:12before finally being accepted this year.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14It's massively important to me.
0:26:14 > 0:26:18I've never stopped trying to develop myself for it and be ready for it
0:26:18 > 0:26:22and finally, this year, I managed to get my place at Northampton.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25On placement, Vick piled the pressure on herself
0:26:25 > 0:26:28to make the grade.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31What seems to be...what happened? Why have you rang?
0:26:32 > 0:26:37I ache everywhere, all across the shoulders, in the chest.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40But she didn't always get it right.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43- Is it painful all across your chest?- Yes.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46If you've got an infection, it will...it will hurt.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49And when she misdiagnosed a patient's pain
0:26:49 > 0:26:53as coming from his chest, her mentor had to step in.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56- This is where it's hurting? Just here?- Oh, yeah!
0:26:56 > 0:26:58- Yeah, right there.- OK.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01Chest pain. I think it's more shoulder pain.
0:27:01 > 0:27:02What do you think?
0:27:03 > 0:27:04I don't know.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07I have learned from it.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09You just feel a bit of a tool at the time.
0:27:14 > 0:27:18But when the pressure was on, no-one coped better than Vick.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22She and mentor George were called to help a man who seemed to have
0:27:22 > 0:27:24fallen in his flat.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27But when they arrived, getting the front door opened
0:27:27 > 0:27:29proved to be a frustrating task.
0:27:29 > 0:27:33Have you got a key to his house? Has anybody?
0:27:35 > 0:27:38Having no idea what condition the patient was in,
0:27:38 > 0:27:41time was of the essence. But Vick had an idea.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44Have you got your key in there? Can you pass it to me?
0:27:47 > 0:27:50- He's here on the floor. - Behind the door?
0:27:50 > 0:27:53Yeah, well, he's making his way to pass me the key.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55Got it, thank you.
0:27:56 > 0:27:57Hello.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00Since Vick had already spoken to the patient,
0:28:00 > 0:28:02she continued to take the lead.
0:28:02 > 0:28:07- Are you hurt anywhere? - Hurt?- Hurt. Are you sore, aching?
0:28:08 > 0:28:10- Yeah.- Grab my elbow.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16- That's OK.- Are you up?- OK. There you go.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19But just when everything seemed to be under control,
0:28:19 > 0:28:23the situation took a sudden turn for the worse.
0:28:23 > 0:28:24What happened then?
0:28:28 > 0:28:30We're with you.
0:28:30 > 0:28:34The patient was having a seizure, and although drugs can be
0:28:34 > 0:28:37administered to ease the severity, it's often best to make
0:28:37 > 0:28:41sufferers comfortable and reassure then until it's over.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43We're with you. Ambulance is here with you.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48Crew required, please.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51You come round here. I'll go round there.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54He's stopped fitting now, but he's not come round yet.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58It's a little bit surreal, cos he literally was talking to us,
0:28:58 > 0:29:01and then he just went, and I just talked to him because I know they
0:29:01 > 0:29:04can panic when they come out of it and stuff like that and be confused,
0:29:04 > 0:29:08so I just thought talking to him might give him a bit of reassurance.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11Relax, it's OK. We're the ambulance.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14Although he was mid- seizure, Vick and George still needed
0:29:14 > 0:29:18to follow procedure and take all the patient's observations
0:29:18 > 0:29:20before the ambulance arrives.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22- It's OK, it's OK.- Hello!- It's OK.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24All right. Ambulance.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27Hello. We're here to help you.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29Leave it in, leave it in.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32- Take the nasal thing out? - Yeah, probably just...
0:29:32 > 0:29:36It's not fitting there so we can take it out. Take it out. That's it.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41- He's coming round. - Just relax. Just relax.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46Since the patient was barely conscious, it wasn't
0:29:46 > 0:29:50the easiest task, but Vick rose to the challenge.
0:29:53 > 0:29:5620 minutes after collapsing,
0:29:56 > 0:30:00the patient already seemed to be regaining full awareness.
0:30:00 > 0:30:01How are you feeling?
0:30:02 > 0:30:04- Not bad.- Not bad?
0:30:04 > 0:30:08Minute by minute, Vick's confidence was also growing.
0:30:08 > 0:30:12Stay there for now. Just relax there. OK.
0:30:14 > 0:30:18Once the second paramedic team arrived to transport the patient
0:30:18 > 0:30:22to hospital, Vick and George could reflect on a job well done.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25Vicki handled herself really well.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27I did say, "Oh, he's fitting", but the dynamics changed
0:30:27 > 0:30:30and she just went, "Right let's go on with it, let's deal with it."
0:30:30 > 0:30:32That's what you need as a paramedic.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34Things change all the time, and you need to be making
0:30:34 > 0:30:37new plans, new directions, think about what you're doing.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39The more you go out the more confident you get.
0:30:39 > 0:30:43I defiantly feel from day one of placement that I've grown
0:30:43 > 0:30:47and developed, and particularly confidence-wise I've come on,
0:30:47 > 0:30:51but there's a hell of a long way to go, and particularly,
0:30:51 > 0:30:55not having a backup behind you, a mentor, is a scary thought.
0:30:55 > 0:30:56SIRENS
0:30:57 > 0:30:59# Kids again
0:30:59 > 0:31:03# Let's behave like kids again. #
0:31:07 > 0:31:11After working extreme hours and dealing with shocking situations,
0:31:11 > 0:31:14it was inevitable the junior paramedics would need to relax
0:31:14 > 0:31:16from time to time.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21I think, with doing this course, especially cos it's quite full-on,
0:31:21 > 0:31:25when you get the chance, it is good to just let your hair down
0:31:25 > 0:31:28and have a bit of fun, especially after you've done four shifts,
0:31:28 > 0:31:30it can be quite intense.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35Some of the juniors enjoyed a rare evening out to let off some
0:31:35 > 0:31:37steam over a curry.
0:31:37 > 0:31:41Do you think you've changed and developed during placement?
0:31:41 > 0:31:44I think I've learned a lot.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46More confident, definitely.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48I think it's going to be strange when we're qualified
0:31:48 > 0:31:51and you haven't got that person to kind of turn round to,
0:31:51 > 0:31:55because ECGs, you just hand them straight to your mentors.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57I look at them and just think,
0:31:57 > 0:31:59"What the BLEEP am I looking at here?
0:31:59 > 0:32:01"There's some things there, there's a QPRS."
0:32:01 > 0:32:05They'll say, What do you think?" I'm like, "Yeah, I don't know."
0:32:05 > 0:32:08THEY LAUGH
0:32:11 > 0:32:14I feel like a superhero, because...
0:32:14 > 0:32:18you've got a uniform during the day, you're putting on your outfit,
0:32:18 > 0:32:22you go out and save the day, save lives and all that,
0:32:22 > 0:32:26and then you come back and you're just normal, no-one knows you're...
0:32:26 > 0:32:29- I totally know what you mean there. - Yeah. You do, don't you?
0:32:29 > 0:32:30I never thought of it like that.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33People might think I'm a knob and that, but in a serious situation,
0:32:33 > 0:32:36I can actually be serious.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39- Turn off the knobbiness. - It's amazing.
0:32:39 > 0:32:40You would not believe it!
0:32:40 > 0:32:43We didn't think you were a massive knob!
0:32:43 > 0:32:44WOMEN LAUGH
0:32:44 > 0:32:45Shut up.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49They may not have been superheroes,
0:32:49 > 0:32:52but after a few weeks on the job, the Junior Paramedics weren't
0:32:52 > 0:32:55the new kids on the block any more either.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58You're learning, girl, you're learning.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01And were fast becoming part of the team.
0:33:01 > 0:33:02High-five, Bryn!
0:33:04 > 0:33:06They were still the butt of jokes.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32They were also learning that being a paramedic on a Saturday night
0:33:32 > 0:33:34can be a sobering experience.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38Come on, Jonny! Waaaay!
0:33:39 > 0:33:42GROANING
0:33:42 > 0:33:44Did you see that top she was wearing as well?
0:33:44 > 0:33:47Her boobs were, like, practically out of it.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49What was she wearing? There was nothing on her, was there?
0:33:49 > 0:33:53No. A really tiny skirt and I could see her knickers.
0:33:53 > 0:33:58Just makes yourself look embarrassing, going out like that.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04When Amy and Shay were called to a man who was found
0:34:04 > 0:34:09lying in the street, it was a real eye opener for the junior paramedic.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11Hello. It's the ambulance.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13How are you feeling?
0:34:13 > 0:34:16What's your name? Can you tell me?
0:34:16 > 0:34:17MAN MUMBLES
0:34:20 > 0:34:22Have you been drinking alcohol?
0:34:22 > 0:34:24MAN MUMBLES
0:34:24 > 0:34:28When he regained consciousness, he only had eyes for Amy.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34- Amy?- Nice to meet you.- Amy, yeah? - Yeah.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37- Is Amy's number?- Amy's number? No.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40No number?
0:34:40 > 0:34:44- No number?- No number. No. - Amy has a boyfriend.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47- Boyfriend?- Yes.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55He took a little shine to us,
0:34:55 > 0:34:59and I'm not sure if I really took a shine to him at all.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03- Friend Amy.- You want to be a good friend of Amy's?
0:35:03 > 0:35:06- Strong.- You are strong, I know that.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09- Yeah? Amy.- She's got a nice smile.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11Yeah, it's good, beautiful.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14- Pretty smile.- Beautiful lady.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16Yeah?
0:35:16 > 0:35:17It made us feel uncomfortable.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20I just wanted to run away when he started being all like that.
0:35:20 > 0:35:22Take care.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24Goodbye.
0:35:25 > 0:35:26No.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28AMY GIGGLES NERVOUSLY
0:35:28 > 0:35:30No, thank you. No, thank you.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34She's very shy. Very shy.
0:35:34 > 0:35:38I think it is jobs like this that make us wonder whether I really want
0:35:38 > 0:35:40to be on the car by myself.
0:35:41 > 0:35:45I think that could've been a bit different if I was by myself.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49Well, that was the bizarrest thing I've ever seen!
0:35:49 > 0:35:50SHAY CHUCKLES
0:35:52 > 0:35:53What was going on there?
0:35:53 > 0:35:56I can't believe you didn't give him your number.
0:35:56 > 0:35:57# She was beautiful, though
0:35:58 > 0:36:02# I think it's time for me and you
0:36:02 > 0:36:06# To take over the world. #
0:36:07 > 0:36:11Flying solo was something that all the junior paramedics began
0:36:11 > 0:36:15to worry about as they neared the end of their placements.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18Very, very daunting that we are actually going to be
0:36:18 > 0:36:20paramedics in a year and a half time now.
0:36:20 > 0:36:24It's really scary just how quickly everything moves.
0:36:24 > 0:36:29At this moment I'm extremely scared to be qualified, because I just
0:36:29 > 0:36:33haven't got the knowledge, and I'm wondering how, in the two years,
0:36:33 > 0:36:37I'm going to absorb enough to go out by myself.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39You've got to make every decision on your own,
0:36:39 > 0:36:43and the idea of being on the car on my own absolutely terrifies me.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46You don't know where you're going to get sent.
0:36:46 > 0:36:4728. Must be this one. Yeah, 28.
0:36:47 > 0:36:51Looking for houses in the middle of the night is quite frightening.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55Well done there on that.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58So you'll be all right with that?
0:36:58 > 0:37:04And no-one worried about this more acutely than 24-year-old Nick.
0:37:04 > 0:37:08Nick looked up to mentor Jonny from day one.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12Can you see me under the hood? The beaky cap.
0:37:12 > 0:37:17I've never seen my mentor stressed or panicked.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19I think he is exceptionally good at his job.
0:37:19 > 0:37:23Their bromance blossomed throughout the six weeks,
0:37:23 > 0:37:26with Nick playing Robin to Jonny's Batman.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28I'd really love to wear my helmet, but...
0:37:28 > 0:37:31If you want to wear your helmet, Nick, by all means do so.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33- But can you wear yours as well? - No.- Awww!
0:37:45 > 0:37:47The dynamic duo needed nerves of steel
0:37:47 > 0:37:52when they were called to a patient who was found in a caravan park.
0:37:52 > 0:37:53The police were first on the scene
0:37:53 > 0:37:56and the man was lying in the back of their van.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00He's vomited in the back of the van then he stopped breathing.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02Two caravans down know who he is.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05They've said he uses needles and takes all sort of drugs.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08He actually stopped breathing for a short time.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14He's in a state where he can't manage his own breathing
0:38:14 > 0:38:17or his airway, so we OPA'd and MPA'd him.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20Which is where you put a tube in the throat and one in the nose.
0:38:27 > 0:38:31If we had not intervened he would have aspirated on his own vomit.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34Once the patient's airways were clear,
0:38:34 > 0:38:37Nick gave the man a saline flush.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45Just 12 minutes on the scene,
0:38:45 > 0:38:48and Nick and Jonny saved the man's life.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55It's been a really tough experience on the road,
0:38:55 > 0:38:57but also an amazing one.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00Towards the end of the placement I was gaining a lot of confidence
0:39:00 > 0:39:04and doing some of the things without being prompted.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06It was true teamwork.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08But when it came to the dirty work,
0:39:08 > 0:39:13Nick was under no illusions who the junior paramedic was.
0:39:13 > 0:39:17I don't think I'll be having stew for a bit.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19Or chicken and mushroom pie.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30Also hard at it was oldest trainee, Ashley.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33She'd been having doubts about whether her future
0:39:33 > 0:39:35really lay in paramedic life.
0:39:42 > 0:39:47But at her next job, all her worries were about to go up in smoke.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54Pretty bad fire, pretty bad fire!
0:39:54 > 0:39:57The building was still alight
0:39:57 > 0:40:00and firefighters were battling to control it.
0:40:00 > 0:40:06You step out and it's blue lights, you know, from us, police, and fire.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08You're nervous because you've got a jacket on
0:40:08 > 0:40:11that doesn't indicate that you're a student,
0:40:11 > 0:40:13are people are going to think I know stuff?
0:40:13 > 0:40:16But in a really strange way you're really excited to be there.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26Two local men had broken down the doors to check no-one was trapped.
0:40:26 > 0:40:30Ashley's patient, Chris, was one of them.
0:40:30 > 0:40:35He'd inhaled a serious amount of smoke and needed urgent attention.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39Can you just sit forward if that's OK?
0:40:39 > 0:40:42I'm just going to listen to your back. Take some deep breaths.
0:40:42 > 0:40:46COUGHS AND SPLUTTERS
0:40:48 > 0:40:51Ever so slight, ever so slight crackle.
0:40:55 > 0:40:56Deep breath.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01It was a big responsibility for rookie Ashley
0:41:01 > 0:41:05but with the patient stable and the fire under control,
0:41:05 > 0:41:08there was a chance to find out more about what had happened.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12So you were just indoors and you heard what shouts for help or...?
0:41:12 > 0:41:15We were coming out of here, just about to get in to the car
0:41:15 > 0:41:18and we just see the family standing on the road.
0:41:18 > 0:41:19- And the smoke... - And the fire.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22And they were standing right in front of where the window was.
0:41:22 > 0:41:23I'm telling you,
0:41:23 > 0:41:26it was two minutes after, BANG!
0:41:26 > 0:41:27The whole window went up.
0:41:30 > 0:41:34But just when Ashley thought she had it all under control...
0:41:35 > 0:41:39Right. What's wrong, what's wrong, what's wrong?
0:41:39 > 0:41:43- Chris, sit back for me the best you can.- Let's sit back.
0:41:45 > 0:41:49'In that moment I kind of questioned everything
0:41:49 > 0:41:53'and I just thought, "Oh, my God this is horrendous."'
0:41:53 > 0:41:56Are you all right, Chris? What's wrong?
0:41:56 > 0:41:58Talk to us.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03Talk to us. Chris, talk to us.
0:42:03 > 0:42:08A sudden change in a patient is something every paramedic dreads.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11- Chris?- Chris, Chris?
0:42:11 > 0:42:12Chris?
0:42:12 > 0:42:15I just thought, "Oh, my God, what have I missed?"
0:42:15 > 0:42:18Not just me, but what have WE missed? You know?
0:42:18 > 0:42:20And you do feel a bit of responsibility.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22Have I been really stupid?
0:42:22 > 0:42:25Have I just completely not thought of something
0:42:25 > 0:42:27that I should have been doing?
0:42:28 > 0:42:29Just relax, Chris.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32You're just having a bit of a faint-headed... A faint, Chris.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35Lift your legs up.
0:42:39 > 0:42:40Come down to the bed.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42Right, what's hurting, Chris?
0:42:45 > 0:42:47Oh, Jesus Christ.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50It was intense, and for a trainee
0:42:50 > 0:42:53with just a few weeks on the job under her belt,
0:42:53 > 0:42:57this was a real test of whether Ashley had got what it takes.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00Just shaving you, Chris, just to get these leads on.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06You're on a ambulance.
0:43:08 > 0:43:14I'm Ashley, I'm a student paramedic and you're on an ambulance.
0:43:14 > 0:43:16I think you've inhaled probably more than you think
0:43:16 > 0:43:19because you was in there for quite a while.
0:43:19 > 0:43:2110 minutes in each place.
0:43:21 > 0:43:22That's a long time and it's a lot for smoke.
0:43:22 > 0:43:26Tell you what, buddy, we're going to have to pop you up to the general.
0:43:26 > 0:43:30The high octane call set alight some new thoughts for Ashley
0:43:30 > 0:43:33of where her future as a paramedic might lie.
0:43:33 > 0:43:37I think I managed the pressure well.
0:43:37 > 0:43:40That was one of the defining moments for me,
0:43:40 > 0:43:43of really trying to pretend I wasn't sort of the trauma junkie.
0:43:43 > 0:43:48That's when I kind of realised I might need to look at other things,
0:43:48 > 0:43:53going to have a stint in air ambulance, combat medics,
0:43:53 > 0:43:58because that's something that drives me really.
0:44:03 > 0:44:07As Lucy Mellor and her mentor Alistair began a run of nights,
0:44:07 > 0:44:11they found themselves on one of the quietest shifts they'd experienced.
0:44:18 > 0:44:20MUSIC PLAYS
0:44:22 > 0:44:25Look at that, the mood just picks up instantly.
0:44:28 > 0:44:33MUSIC: "Blurred Lines" By Robin Thicke
0:44:50 > 0:44:54MUSIC SLOWS
0:44:56 > 0:44:58I managed to go the entire placement
0:44:58 > 0:45:01without nodding off and being caught,
0:45:01 > 0:45:06but, yeah, tonight Alistair said he noticed me falling asleep.
0:45:08 > 0:45:12SIREN WAILS
0:45:14 > 0:45:18But being a paramedic is an unpredictable job.
0:45:18 > 0:45:20And it wasn't so quiet
0:45:20 > 0:45:23when they were called to a man with severe stomach pains.
0:45:37 > 0:45:41When they got there Alistair was keen for Lucy to push herself
0:45:41 > 0:45:43and take the patient's medical history.
0:45:46 > 0:45:47Hi there.
0:45:49 > 0:45:51She found him writhing around on the floor in agony
0:45:51 > 0:45:55and she quickly needed to establish what was wrong.
0:45:55 > 0:45:57He's been struggling for the past three days,
0:45:57 > 0:46:00he's been absolutely in pain and struggling to walk.
0:46:00 > 0:46:02I've given him codeine and paracetamol.
0:46:02 > 0:46:06His distressed wife was on the ball with her information.
0:46:06 > 0:46:10I told him to try and sleep it off and wait till 8am in the morning
0:46:10 > 0:46:12so we can call a doctor then, but he couldn't wait,
0:46:12 > 0:46:17it got so severe that I had to call the ambulance out now.
0:46:18 > 0:46:21I don't really know what to say.
0:46:21 > 0:46:23He was like, "Are you going to take the lead?"
0:46:23 > 0:46:25And I was like, "Yeah, that's fine."
0:46:25 > 0:46:28Then we went in and his wife obviously gave all these details,
0:46:28 > 0:46:32and I was like, "I don't really know what else to ask!"
0:46:32 > 0:46:34And obviously the patient
0:46:34 > 0:46:39wasn't in a state to have normal conversation about things,
0:46:39 > 0:46:44so Alistair took the lead and let me... He showed me how it was done.
0:46:44 > 0:46:48- When did the pain start? - About two days ago.
0:46:48 > 0:46:50And where's the pain exactly?
0:46:55 > 0:46:59We'll get you some gas and air.
0:46:59 > 0:47:03Alistair tried to get Lucy involved again.
0:47:03 > 0:47:06- Twist it towards, across?- Yeah.
0:47:06 > 0:47:08Try and take some of this pain relief.
0:47:08 > 0:47:12You need to pop this in your mouth.
0:47:17 > 0:47:20It's difficult to know exactly what is causing the pain
0:47:20 > 0:47:24but we'll do some, if we can, some observations.
0:47:26 > 0:47:29Just pop this on to your arm so we can get blood pressure.
0:47:29 > 0:47:32Just stay there, I can pop it on, you don't need to move.
0:47:32 > 0:47:35Let's take the gas and air.
0:47:36 > 0:47:38The man couldn't keep still enough
0:47:38 > 0:47:40for her to take his observations properly.
0:47:41 > 0:47:44HE GROANS
0:47:44 > 0:47:47OK, take this off. Breathe the gas and air.
0:47:47 > 0:47:50If he's in this much pain
0:47:50 > 0:47:53then we'll probably pop him down to the hospital.
0:47:53 > 0:47:55HE GROANS
0:47:57 > 0:48:01Definitely still a huge amount to learn, next time, next time,
0:48:01 > 0:48:06when it's a little bit less time critical, hopefully I'll have a go.
0:48:13 > 0:48:15I thought it went really well.
0:48:15 > 0:48:19I think it was a really brilliant effort on my behalf.
0:48:19 > 0:48:22Yeah, a real structured approach there.
0:48:22 > 0:48:24- I think I did it all really. - You did!
0:48:24 > 0:48:27It's because we went in and she kind of told us everything
0:48:27 > 0:48:28and it threw me off a bit.
0:48:28 > 0:48:30I was ready with my signs and symptoms
0:48:30 > 0:48:35and then she told me them all! I didn't know what else to ask!
0:48:42 > 0:48:46Bryn's placement hadn't quite had the drama
0:48:46 > 0:48:49some of the other Junior Paramedics had experienced.
0:48:49 > 0:48:51And he was yet to face a serious trauma case.
0:48:51 > 0:48:54Is it OK if I just put this in your ear?
0:48:54 > 0:48:56It will take your temperature.
0:48:57 > 0:49:00- So can you say, "baby hippopotamus"? - Baby hippopotamus.
0:49:00 > 0:49:03Good, you can do it better than I can!
0:49:03 > 0:49:05On the final week of his six week placement,
0:49:05 > 0:49:09he was running out of time to impress mentor Charlotte,
0:49:09 > 0:49:12but as he headed into his final shift
0:49:12 > 0:49:15he was about to get the test he'd been waiting for.
0:49:27 > 0:49:31Charlotte immediately assigned him a vital role.
0:49:31 > 0:49:33Bryn, do you just want to come and sit in the back of the car
0:49:33 > 0:49:34and put your helmet on?
0:49:34 > 0:49:37What I want you to do is get in there
0:49:37 > 0:49:39and hold the head of this gentlemen, OK?
0:49:39 > 0:49:41Put your hands either side of his head
0:49:41 > 0:49:43and keep his head nice and still. OK?
0:49:43 > 0:49:46OK, sir, I'm going to hold your head, OK?
0:49:46 > 0:49:50Hello, can I have the fire brigade and the 313s, please?
0:49:50 > 0:49:53RADIO CHATTER
0:49:53 > 0:49:56We're going to need a gentlemen cutting out of his car.
0:49:56 > 0:49:59The man driving the car had dislocated his knee
0:49:59 > 0:50:02and may have sustained a spinal or neck injury.
0:50:02 > 0:50:04Is your chest all right and everything?
0:50:04 > 0:50:07Bryn was given the massive responsibility
0:50:07 > 0:50:09of holding the patient's head.
0:50:09 > 0:50:11Make sure you don't shake your head,
0:50:11 > 0:50:14you just keep your head as still as possible.
0:50:14 > 0:50:17You're doing fantastic, Will.
0:50:17 > 0:50:19- Bryn, are you all right there? - Yeah, sure.
0:50:19 > 0:50:21What's going to happen now
0:50:21 > 0:50:23is there is going to be loads and loads of things going on.
0:50:23 > 0:50:26You're going to be sat here and they're going to cover you over
0:50:26 > 0:50:29with loads of stuff, and you'll be cut out the car.
0:50:29 > 0:50:33Bryn needed to stay seated and hold the man's head completely still
0:50:33 > 0:50:37as the emergency services cut the doors and the roof off the car
0:50:37 > 0:50:41in order to get the patient out without moving his spine.
0:50:45 > 0:50:48Right, Will, I know there's a lot of noise going on at the moment,
0:50:48 > 0:50:50but they're just securing the car,
0:50:50 > 0:50:52they're going to cut you out the car.
0:50:52 > 0:50:54They're going to take the roof off.
0:50:54 > 0:50:57'The atmosphere was quite tense,
0:50:57 > 0:50:59'he was quite distressed by the whole situation,
0:50:59 > 0:51:02'I was just trying to talk to him and just reassure him a little bit
0:51:02 > 0:51:04'and just let him know what was going on.
0:51:04 > 0:51:08'It must be so scary for someone especially when you're in pain.'
0:51:08 > 0:51:11And you don't even really know what's gone on.
0:51:11 > 0:51:14Are you all right there, Will?
0:51:14 > 0:51:16Your knee, your knee still hurts, does it?
0:51:16 > 0:51:19We'll have a look at your knee once we get you out.
0:51:19 > 0:51:22We're gonna be making some noise now at the back, OK?
0:51:22 > 0:51:24Right. You're doing great, Will.
0:51:27 > 0:51:30'You could hear the metal snapping round
0:51:30 > 0:51:33'and the roof getting slightly closer to you
0:51:33 > 0:51:36'then they cut the rest of the car off.'
0:51:36 > 0:51:40Which, when it's about here, to your head, is quite nerve-racking.
0:51:40 > 0:51:43The roof was off, but it was still vital
0:51:43 > 0:51:47the paramedics kept the patient's spine completely still.
0:51:49 > 0:51:51So they moved him using a spinal board.
0:51:52 > 0:51:55Ready? 1, 2, 3... Go.
0:51:55 > 0:51:57Stop.
0:51:57 > 0:51:59You just rest your arm there, Will.
0:51:59 > 0:52:01First trauma job.
0:52:01 > 0:52:05It's definitely different to all the medical patients that we've had.
0:52:06 > 0:52:08Seeing the fire brigade
0:52:08 > 0:52:11and basically all the other emergency services working together
0:52:11 > 0:52:13was really, really good.
0:52:13 > 0:52:15I felt quite in the action. It was pretty cool.
0:52:29 > 0:52:33Bryn had proved he had what it took in a high pressured situation.
0:52:33 > 0:52:35Hopefully he'll be OK now.
0:52:35 > 0:52:38He was saying thanks and everything which is really nice to hear
0:52:38 > 0:52:41and it's nice to be actually able to help someone out.
0:52:47 > 0:52:50With their last shifts over,
0:52:50 > 0:52:54it was the moment of truth for the Junior Paramedics.
0:52:54 > 0:52:58We get graded today and I'm really, really dreading it.
0:52:58 > 0:53:01I definitely feel over the weeks
0:53:01 > 0:53:03I've been able to prove myself to Charlotte.
0:53:03 > 0:53:06There's still more that I'm going to learn,
0:53:06 > 0:53:08but I feel like I want to push myself further
0:53:08 > 0:53:10than I already have done.
0:53:10 > 0:53:13A good placement mark from their mentors would mean a good start
0:53:13 > 0:53:15for their professional reputation.
0:53:15 > 0:53:19I can see the progression that she's made from six weeks ago
0:53:19 > 0:53:23when we first started, she's not the same person as when she came in.
0:53:23 > 0:53:25She's come on so much, since the first day.
0:53:25 > 0:53:28It's been really nice to see her develop,
0:53:28 > 0:53:31she's really quite confident now.
0:53:31 > 0:53:36And after just six weeks of intense pressure under the spotlight...
0:53:38 > 0:53:39..they'd all passed.
0:53:39 > 0:53:43B-. Happy with that.
0:53:43 > 0:53:46I'll give you a grade of a B which is well deserved.
0:53:46 > 0:53:50I'm ecstatic with that grade, I'm really happy. Thank you very much.
0:53:50 > 0:53:52She's given me a B.
0:53:52 > 0:53:55- We're just so proud of you.- Aaw!
0:53:55 > 0:53:58I'm just really happy that Charlotte gave me a C+ really,
0:53:58 > 0:53:59I wasn't expecting it.
0:53:59 > 0:54:02I'm really happy with a B for my first placement.
0:54:02 > 0:54:05I think a C is really fair and actually a really good grade.
0:54:05 > 0:54:07I'm really happy with the feedback she gave me,
0:54:07 > 0:54:09because she did evaluate me really fairly as well.
0:54:09 > 0:54:12It's helping me to build upon myself, so it's good.
0:54:12 > 0:54:16# You're everyone's hero
0:54:16 > 0:54:19# We all learn to fly away... #
0:54:19 > 0:54:22With thousands of hours of experience between them
0:54:22 > 0:54:27and stories to last a lifetime, all nine Junior Paramedics
0:54:27 > 0:54:30came to the end of their first placement
0:54:30 > 0:54:32of their paramedic career.
0:54:35 > 0:54:38The whole placement was completely different
0:54:38 > 0:54:41to what I expected it to be like.
0:54:41 > 0:54:43From the first day it was hands on, instantly,
0:54:43 > 0:54:48which I was really pleased about, for me that's the way I learn best.
0:54:52 > 0:54:55The most rewarding thing about actually doing the job
0:54:55 > 0:54:58is actually helping people, so that's awesome, that is.
0:54:58 > 0:55:05What I've enjoyed the most is being a trusted member of society.
0:55:07 > 0:55:10I can't wait to be a paramedic and to be out on the road.
0:55:10 > 0:55:12I truly think it's the best job,
0:55:12 > 0:55:14I could be offered all the money in the world
0:55:14 > 0:55:16and I think I'd still I'd want to do this job.
0:55:16 > 0:55:19It has been rewarding,
0:55:19 > 0:55:22you're making a massive difference to somebody's life.
0:55:22 > 0:55:24The ones that have really kind of been rewarding
0:55:24 > 0:55:28are like the elderly person that's said thank you to you
0:55:28 > 0:55:31or the character that's really accepted you as a student.
0:55:34 > 0:55:37I'd quite happily not get paid for it for the rest of my life,
0:55:37 > 0:55:40it's that kind of career that you just enjoy it so much
0:55:40 > 0:55:44that the reward is actually doing the job itself.
0:55:45 > 0:55:48I felt really privileged to do what I'm doing,
0:55:48 > 0:55:51just caring for people and making sure everyone is all right,
0:55:51 > 0:55:54you feel special.
0:55:56 > 0:55:59It is a really rewarding thing to do,
0:55:59 > 0:56:02the placement has opened my eyes to what is out there in the world.
0:56:02 > 0:56:06It is a bit shocking sometimes, but then it kind of makes you reflect on
0:56:06 > 0:56:09what the world is like, not as a paramedic, but as a human.
0:56:12 > 0:56:14The last six weeks have taught me
0:56:14 > 0:56:17that this is exactly what I want to do
0:56:17 > 0:56:20and where I want to go with my life.
0:56:20 > 0:56:22In 18 months I'll be able to stand there
0:56:22 > 0:56:25and say I'm a registered paramedic.
0:56:25 > 0:56:27That's my title, that's my career.
0:56:27 > 0:56:28Even though it's quite scary,
0:56:28 > 0:56:31I think it's going to be a fantastic career to say,
0:56:31 > 0:56:35"I go out there, help people every day and potentially save lives."