They sound horrible, like a very loud beeping.
It doesn’t matter.
When we arrive on the scene, we talk about where to land.
I still get butterflies every single time we go out.
No one else noticed, but I did.
It was from all the adrenalin.
That sense of urgency never goes away.
At night, its worse.
Once we land, the pilot idles the helicopter while the nurses go to the patient.
Its so physically demanding.
Im always dripping with sweat.
It’s usually chaotic on the ground.
Our goal is to get to the patient and get that patient out of there in under ten minutes.
If we took forever on scene, thered be no point to what we do.
Ive had some terrible calls.
In the winter, we get a lot of motor vehicle and skiing accidents.
Last year, we saved a 90-minute old baby who went into respiratory distress after a home birth.
When someone dies in your hands, you feel helpless, like youve failed them.
But it doesnt usually hit you until afterward.
Ive had calls that have stuck with me for weeks, even months.
Its an emotional burden, but if I didnt care, I wouldnt be a good nurse.
And when you save a life, its very gratifying.
Theres really nothing else like it in the world.
It makes me feel useful and humble.
Once, I even got some chocolate covered strawberriesand a phone numberfrom a patient we treated!
Keep a close eye on your kids, especially around water.
Hug each other a little tighter.
Dont hold grudges or let loved ones leave you without being in a good place with them.
And say “I love you now,” because things can always change at any minute.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Subject
