Ep 5. Down but Not Out

Inside the Ambulance is a British television documentary series that follows the paramedics of the West Midlands Ambulance Service as they respond to emergency calls across the region. In season 4 episode 5, titled "Down but Not Out", viewers are taken on a ride-along with two of the service's seasoned members, paramedic Dan and emergency medical technician (EMT) Vicky, as they respond to calls ranging from minor injuries to life-threatening emergencies.

The episode begins with Dan and Vicky responding to a call from a woman who has fallen down the stairs and injured her hip. Upon arriving at the scene, the paramedics quickly assess the woman's condition and provide her with pain relief before carefully moving her onto a stretcher and into the ambulance. During the transport to the hospital, Dan and Vicky provide constant care and reassurance to the patient, ensuring she is as comfortable as possible.

The next call takes the paramedics to a residential care home, where an elderly resident has fallen and hit her head. Upon arriving at the scene, Dan and Vicky quickly assess the woman's condition and determine that she needs to be taken to the hospital for further observation. However, the patient is extremely reluctant to leave the care home, having lived there for many years and formed close relationships with the staff. Dan and Vicky take the time to talk to the patient and reassure her that she will be well taken care of at the hospital, before carefully moving her onto a stretcher and into the ambulance.

The paramedics' next call is a more serious one, as they respond to a man who has had a heart attack while working at a construction site. Upon arriving at the scene, Dan and Vicky quickly assess the man's condition and begin administering life-saving treatment, including defibrillation and medication to stabilise his heart rhythm. The situation is made more challenging by the fact that the patient is in an elevated position, requiring the paramedics to carefully lower him down to ground level before transporting him to the hospital. The team's quick thinking and expert care ultimately prove crucial in saving the patient's life.

The final call of the episode takes Dan and Vicky to the home of a man with a suspected stroke. Upon arriving at the scene, they quickly assess the man's condition and determine that he needs to be taken to the hospital for urgent treatment. However, the patient is extremely reluctant to leave his home, having recently lost his wife and feeling anxious and alone. Dan and Vicky take the time to talk to the patient and provide him with comfort and reassurance, before carefully moving him onto a stretcher and into the ambulance.

Throughout the episode, viewers get an intimate look at the high-pressure, fast-paced world of ambulance services, as well as the vital role that paramedics and EMTs play in keeping the public safe and healthy. Dan and Vicky's compassionate and expert care, as well as their ability to think on their feet and adapt to challenging situations, make them shining examples of the incredible work done by emergency medical services professionals every day.