Video cameras are ubiquitous today; there’s hardly a mobile phone out there that doesn’t have the capability of recording video. Whether it’s right or wrong, it’s a fact.
This Arizona episode of responders fighting and restraining a combative patient captures a tougher aspect of our job. Anyone who has been in a tussle like this will tell you how dangerous and difficult it is, even with numerous rescuers available. Injuring the patient or ourselves is highly likely. Performing this task requires training and discipline to maintain dignity for everyone.
Which sadly didn’t happen here.
Assuming the report that this was a post-ictal patient is true, it’s a shame that the firefighter took it personally. You just can’t do that. We are in a position, whether paid or volunteer, to take the high road and maintain our professionalism, even under these conditions.
Like all recordings, this clip just covers a few moments in time. We don’t know what happened before all of this went down. Did the patient have a weapon? Did he spit on the responders?
Despite these unknown factors, it’s still difficult to justify the actions of the responder. Moreover, at least one other crew member knew they were being recorded.
Could there have been a quick, quiet nudge by the others on the crew to help the responder control himself? He may have been ticked off, but maybe a lot could have been avoided in those few minutes.
