EMT Chronicles: Scariest Moments (Ep 2)

EMS Chronicles: Scariest Moments

Episode 2: Featuring Ogechi (OG)

My scariest and saddest day as a paramedic was responding to a 25 year old gunshot victim.

It had been an unusually quiet Christmas eve at the emergency room until there were loud noises at the entrance of the ER.

“Oooooo, someone has drank too much during Christmas celebrations and now their joy has landed them here”…I thought to myself.

I ran out and met a young man with a blood-soaked cloth tied around the head.

What happened? I asked!

“He was shot in the head”

I jump in to control the bleeding and sent for the ER Doctor and Neurosurgeon.

He was breathing fast and shallow and his eyes were crying out for help.

We continued the resuscitation amidst the chaos that had now engulfed the ER.

Breathing stopped, pulse disappeared and soon after, the Doctor called it.

My eyes were filled with tears as I watched life leave his body and (felt so helpless) or (it dawned on me again….”Life is fickle. Here today, gone tomorrow”.)

As I was removing my blood sucked protective wears, I asked one of the relatives what had happened and then more tears flowed.

He was a 25 year old undergraduate who was helping out at his mother’s grocery store after his classes when robbers attacked the store and he was shot in the process.

Tears kept flowing as I consoled the relatives. It felt like I knew him.

In a flash, road traffic accident victims were rushed in and everybody was back on the train again, saving lives!

Though it was over 6 years ago, the memory still feels fresh and reminds me of (my mortality) or (how fickle life is. Here today, gone tomorrow”.)

Godwin Ogechi is an EMT-Paramedic & Instructor. She currently serves as the Head of Emergency Medical Services at Citron Head.