You’re used to not having a set schedule
I have a schedule in the sense that I work on specific days for a specific length of time, but after that, all bets are off. We don’t know how many calls we’ll get, or what they’ll be. Some days we’re so busy we barely have time to go to the bathroom, and other days, we’ll get one easy call and that’s it. Which brings me to my next point…
It’s perfectly normal to sit and sleep in a vehicle for hours on end
The company I work for has a very large service area, and we have to have the ambulances spread out all across two counties. This means that each truck is posted at a certain location, usually an intersection somewhere. Depending on how busy the day is, you can be at one post all day, or you can ping-pong to six different ones between calls. Either way, you learn to be comfortable sitting in a cramped vehicle all day.
Questionable road conditions are a part of life
On the Race we often traveled on roads that would be considered “off-roading” here in the US. Potholes, narrow winding paths up a mountain, minimal traffic rules… you name it.
Now the Race was just preliminary training – at least we were passengers. Now I’m driving over bumpy roads, through unplowed snow, and around people who apparently have no idea what to do when they hear a siren. At least I know how my partner and patient in the back feel, so I can try to make the ride as easy as possible for them. And when I’m the one in the back, I know how not to lose my balance when we turn a sharp corner.
Weird smells? No problem.
I won’t get too descriptive here, but let’s just say that across twelve countries, you smell a lot of… interesting things. Now you don’t get the same smells in EMS, but at least after the Race my nose was used to some variety.
Same goes for gross conversation topics
Much like World Racers, EMT’s and Paramedics will talk about any bodily function (and much worse) at the dinner table. Need I say more?
