WHPTV
LANCASTER, Pa. — A Lancaster city man is charged with aggravated assault for punching a crew of medics while they were providing him medical treatment. CBS 21 News was curious to know if medics are often forced to deal with violent patients and how they handle these situations.
So a CBS 21 News crew talked to Lancaster E.M.S. who told us, yes, violence happens sometimes, but CBS 21 also found out that the medics undergo self defense training to learn what to do in violent situations.
It’s the number one tactic Lemsa Senior Paramedic Lee Ann Haas teaches in her annual self defense class for fellow medics, “Be aware of your surroundings.”
“We deal with a lot of drug overdoses,” Haas said. “We deal with a lot of patients who don’t want us there.”
One medic recently realized preparation is key. “One of the girls had gotten into a situation where a guy came at her with a knife and her partner was screaming and everything was chaotic,” Haas said. “The first thing she did was went in close, ducked down like I taught her and made a hit to the stomach and ran.”
Haas says each time she teaches the class; E.M.S. crews are impressed by what they learn. “They were very pleased as far as what they actually realized they could do in a situation where maybe they’ll be attacked,” the senior paramedic said. “It gives you a heightened awareness when you do your job to watch for certain changes in the situation you’re working in.”
Lemsa Operations Chief Ted Goldman says it’s important to know how to defend yourself in a violent situation. But most of the time, when danger strikes, back up police and fire crews will be nearby to assist you.
While violent situations happen on occasion, Goldman says it’s not something they experience on most calls.
Reprinted with permission from WHPTV.