What is a paramedic?

What is a paramedic?
Johannesburg's EMS has three levels of emergency practitioners - basic, intermediate and advanced life support. Only the advanced life support practitioners are allowed to refer to themselves as paramedics. On the first level, practitioners (rendering basic life support) are called emergency medical technicians (EMTs). They are trained to a standard well above that of first aid practitioners and save many lives every year by applying basic life-saving skills like CPR and airway maintenance that are needed in most emergencies. On the second level, emergency practitioners (rendering intermediate life support) are also called EMTs. These individuals are allowed to perform electrical defibrillation using ECG monitoring equipment and may set up intravenous pipes, and so on. True paramedics render advanced life support. They are qualified to administer certain intravenous drugs and other advanced life-saving procedures. Emergency medical services (ambulances) Emergency medical services provides life support from a basic to advanced level throughout the city. Ambulances are manned by fire fighters/emergency medical technicians trained in basic or intermediate life support, while response cars are manned by advanced life-support paramedics. Emergency medical technicians and paramedics working in Johannesburg are among the most experienced emergency medical practitioners in the world as crews are constantly exposed to all forms of medical and traumatic emergencies.
Clifford Mokgatlhe: Deputy Director of Medical 011 222 8068/8067 Email: cliffordm@joburg.org.za
What is a paramedic?