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Post by joshambrose on Mar 14, 2016 15:07:34 GMT
With the recent rash of bad drugs going around in the Central New York area especially Syracuse use of force in EMS has grown. I am starting my 7th year this year and prior to this past year use of force wasn't really all that much of an issue. Of course every once in awhile you would get a combative psych patient but this is about it. It seems now though with the rebrand of PCP, Water, Spike, and who knows what else that EMS is having to get more physical with the patient. If you run into the situation where police aren't able to respond right away, or the patient is already in your rig and they have a meltdown where do we draw the line on us of force. Personally I will do what I have to do to protect myself and my partner. Thoughts?
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Post by asubaldo on Mar 16, 2016 19:48:00 GMT
Protecting yourself and your partner is the most important. I also believe that the amount of force used by the EMS should only be enough to restrain the patient, so that you, your partner, and anyone else around does not get hurt, including the patient himself or herself.
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Post by azumpano on Mar 17, 2016 0:01:18 GMT
Agreed but if the patient can't be restrained I think the use of force to protect yourself and others is necessary. Not what we want, and not common but be ready to survive.
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Post by jdesarro on Mar 17, 2016 0:27:17 GMT
Agreed, we should all be able to protect ourselves and our partners, but the use of force has to be reasonable.
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Msica
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Post by Msica on Mar 17, 2016 13:42:38 GMT
My opinion being on both the EMS and Police sides is this: You have the absolute right to use force to protect yourself or others in your care. Although, the amount of force that is justified according to law is the minimum amount of force he or she reasonably believes to be necessary to stop the aggressor. One thing to remember is that as a civilian (non-Police or Peace Officer) you have a duty to retreat if and when possible. Just remember, once the aggressor is subdued or incapacitated the force needs to stop or de-escalate, this is where some people get into trouble (police included). My personal opinion is to do whatever you need to do to protect yourself, your partner or your patient and go home after shift to your family. As long as you can justify your actions you will be fine!
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Post by jgrube on Mar 19, 2016 19:12:41 GMT
With all the over doses going on I would say You may have to use force n the back of ambulances to protect you and your staff.
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Post by jgrube on Mar 19, 2016 19:16:56 GMT
With all the over doses going on I would say You may have to use force n the back of ambulances to protect you and your staff.
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Post by local32 on Mar 22, 2016 2:20:52 GMT
Protecting yourself and partner are very important but if I'm on duty and me and my partner can get away safe get the heck out of there and let the Pt. lash out.
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Post by tommy2 on Mar 22, 2016 19:20:18 GMT
Yes you do have a right to protect yourself and hopefully you don't wind up in that position. So don't let them get the jump on you keep your guard up.
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Post by skiechj on Apr 2, 2016 1:37:23 GMT
If they're in the back of the rig, "Dog in the road." If we're out on a scene we have to leave the scene until it is safe. But if we really have to use force, it's a fine line. The last thing we want in ems is a rep of being abusive, even if it is to drug addicts attacking us.
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Post by ctullar on Apr 7, 2016 0:09:54 GMT
I would only use force if absolutely necessary.
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jules
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Post by jules on Apr 9, 2016 17:53:35 GMT
I would say do whatever you have to do to protect yourself and your partner. You need to stay safe before anything so that at the end of the day you get to go home to your family.
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Post by jackief on Apr 13, 2016 22:21:26 GMT
I think all of the points made here in response to this post, present a very good argument to the question of whether or not EMS should carry weapons..
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rob
New Member
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Post by rob on Apr 18, 2016 14:27:49 GMT
I think "situational awareness" is a big part of EMS now and the more aware you are of your surroundings the better chance you have to retreat if a patient becomes combative, but if you are in the back of an ambulance and a patient becomes combative there really isn't any place to run while you are driving down the road. This is where you may have a use of force situation to survive.
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Post by mreinemann on Apr 19, 2016 19:56:53 GMT
I do think use of force is necessary in some very special circumstances, but as Msica said, it's a fine line and ensuring protection of your own life should come directly before being able to defend your actions as sufficient but not excessive. Personally, I am not sure what sort of force I would be able to use, depending on patients who may be bigger or stronger than I. The use of firearms has come up in discussion, but I feel that there are a few more baby steps to be taken before reaching that extent. Also, I like the "dog in the road" technique, I've never heard it called that...
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