Ep 2. Episode 2

Inside the Ambulance is a British medical documentary series that takes the viewers on a ride-along with paramedics as they respond to emergency calls in the West Midlands Region’s ambulance service. In this episode of season 1, the paramedics respond to a call from a woman who has fallen down the stairs at home and injured her ankle. The caller is in her mid-50s and has a history of arthritis. The paramedics, Jon and Mel, are initially concerned that the woman may have fractured her ankle and immobilize it by strapping it straight away. They provide her with pain relief and, after ensuring that her vital signs are stable, transport her to the hospital.

The second call that Jon and Mel respond to involves an elderly care home resident. The caller is the care assistant who reports that the patient is suffering from dehydration and is refusing to drink. The patient, a lady in her mid-90s, is confused and has a history of dementia. The paramedics provide the care home staff with advice on how to make sure the patient is hydrated and urge them to contact her family to let them know of her condition. They stress upon the importance of regular fluid intake, especially in older patients, and reassure the staff that the patient’s condition does not warrant emergency hospital treatment.

The third call that the paramedics respond to is one that they describe as one of the most challenging ones they have had. They receive a call from a man who reports that his father is having a cardiac arrest. The caller is frantic and does not know what to do. The paramedics, Jon and Mel, guide him through how to perform CPR and encourage him to continue until they arrive. As soon as they arrive, they take over the resuscitation attempt and are successful in reviving the patient’s heart rhythm. The patient is transported to the hospital in a critical condition, and the paramedics stress upon the importance of early recognition of cardiac arrest and starting CPR immediately. They also stress the importance of knowing CPR techniques amongst the general public and provide tips on how to do it correctly.

Next, Jon and Mel respond to a call from a man who fell off his bicycle and has a deep cut on his arm. The man is in his early 30s and is in good health otherwise. The paramedics assess the wound and conclude that it needs suturing. They clean the wound thoroughly, provide the patient with pain relief, and transport him to the hospital. During the ride, the patient shares his experience of falling off the bike, and the paramedics offer him advice on how to be safe while cycling.

In the last call of the day, the paramedics are called to attend to a woman who is having an asthma attack. The caller is the patient's partner, who is worried about her worsening shortness of breath. The patient is in her late 30s and has a history of asthma. On arrival, the paramedics assess her condition and find her oxygen levels to be dangerously low. They provide her with oxygen therapy, nebulizers, and an intravenous injection of steroids. After a few minutes, the patient’s condition improves, and she is transported to the hospital. The paramedics stress upon the importance of managing asthma symptoms carefully and informing the healthcare professionals if the symptoms become worse.

In conclusion, Inside the Ambulance season 1 episode 2 is an insightful and emotionally charged episode that showcases the rigors of being a paramedic, the variety of calls they attend to and the importance of timely and appropriate treatment of patients. The episode showcases how the paramedics assess the urgency of the situation, provide first aid, and transport the patient safely to the hospital. The episode also provides valuable insights into how members of the public can handle medical emergencies and the importance of staying calm and following instructions given by the emergency medical services.