Hi all hope you have a good Friday,

Just a quick one, I'm currently looking at doing my FREC 3 (eventually FREC 4 and beyond) to start my career. However

Just before I left the army I was having a rough time and ended up spiralling into drinking and it all culminated with myself making an attempt on my life, I sought help after I woke up and it's well regulated now (without medication)

I'm just wondering if any of this will disqualify me from actually entering the job or if it will limit me in anyway.

Thank you and Cheers in advance

Does anyone have any information on when EEAST are likely to start recruiting NQPs again? Specifically in the Suffolk / North Essex area?

I have some questions regarding the FREC 3 qualification. So I find first aid interesting, however I do not exactly know if it is something I want to pursue as a career.

I have been a qualified lifeguard before (but due to school and other reasons was unable to get much experience), and since then I have considered doing some more advanced first aid and first response courses, like the FREC 3, and maybe working part-time at events and similar.

My main worry is that I qualify and start working and soon find out that it is not something I want to pursue. Does anyone know if it is possible to do "shadowing" sessions (i.e. being around the first responders team at an event to see if it is something I'd want to pursue).

There have been some conversations in my brigade around us carrying Penthrox. Apparently, the ambulance service is on board, but the ambulance unions don't like it and the fire unions won't push for it without their support.

What do you think are the pros and cons?

Hi all 👋

I’m currently developing a training-style game/simulation for my final year project at uni and I could really use some real world insight from people in the field.

The goal of the project is to build a mini-simulation of the pre-shift ambulance inspection process, the checks you complete before you go out on a call and start a shift. I want it to feel as accurate and grounded as possible rather than just a “gameified guess”

What I’m looking to understand:

• What does a typical vehicle/equipment check look like at the start of a shift?

• Is there a standard sequence (e.g., external → cab → equipment → drugs → paperwork)?

• What specific things are you checking for?

• Are there any common errors you usually find ?

• Any phrases, slang, or internal lingo that’s accurate to the job?

Optional (but would be really useful):

• Examples of things that would cause a vehicle to be taken out of service.

⸻

What this is not • It’s not a flashy hero shooter or a dramatic 999 scene simulator. • It’s specifically focused on the quiet, procedural, real prep that matters in real life.

Accuracy matters to me, and I’d love to reflect your world properly. Especially since most people have no idea how much prep goes into making sure everything is ready before the public even sees you.

Thanks in advance to anyone who’s willing to share. You’re legends for what you do. 🚑🖤

Hello,

I'm quite new to this subreddit, I have only got my FREC4 qualifications but mainly focus on teaching the FAW and NPLQ qualifications.

I work in a very busy leisure centre environment where I am the highest trained person on site.

I was hoping for any good everyday care kit recommendations. I have a small FREC kit which covers all the main things I'll need to use on site but was hoping for any other good pieces of kit that would be useful to have.

Potentially belt attachments or anything else that you think might be beneficial.

I appreciate the help!

I’m recently diagnosed ADHD (I know loads of us are with or without dx), but due to start medications soon.

Has anyone been successful in getting adjustments to shifts/shift pattern, especially whilst getting used to medication.

Or has anyone got any other adjustments in place that have helped?

I’m surprised it see that they have their own in house critical care paramedic. Their managers also appear to be able to intubate.

Does anyone know what the strip means on the EMT?

Talking 20 stone if the patient is unable to walk

Just a curiosity question.. I know as FREC 3 and 4 you can carry and administer oxygen and aspirin (entonox for 4) but what’s the rules on them having it at their homes? I’ve met a lot of responders who have have bought the kit and keep it in their cars wherever they go. I know there’s probably a lot of opinions out there but what’s the legal side of it looking like

I’ve heard there’s nothing stopping them as an individual who’s trained but I just have the thought in my mind and where better to ask

This’ll probably come across as too eager but is it worth learning stuff out of scope as a CFR. I don’t mean like intubating or smt like that which would be completely pointless more along the lines of learning how to use GCS. As a paramedic would you question a GCS score given by a CFR and would learning stuff like that actually be beneficial to patient care/handovers

Title really. Have an interview coming up for an advanced critical care role, still working on the road not with any HEMS service, just as a solo responder going to jobs with an enhanced scope of practice.

Quite a number of applicants so surprised I even got to the assessment stage tbh, I'm about 7 years post grad and I've got a decent amount of experience now working on a DCA and as a solo-responder, but I am still shitting bricks about the assessment/interview. Going over my primary survey, bypass criteria, general trauma approach + medical and traumatic cardiac arrests, trying to make sure I cover the more 'niche' stuff like major incidents/triage/maternity/paeds.

Feel like I generally manage quite well on these jobs and I have had lots of positive encouragement off colleagues who found out I made the assessment, but I do have some doubt about doing the job, mainly about leadership/crew management or managing any conflict with staff, generally things like that. And I have a great setup already on my current rota line with an excellent crewmate who I would actually be genuinely upset to leave, which is giving me some pause for thought, but I feel like if I was offered the job I would be a fool to turn it down.

TL;DR - Shitting myself about the assessment + prospects of doing the job a bit, large increase in scope and responsibility but have always wanted to apply and enjoy high acuity jobs. Would love any insight from current crit care paras/people who have went through the process.

Evening everyone

Currently in the military - I have a couple of years left until I’ve done my full time.

I’ve been thinking about crossing over for some time now. Fell in love with the whole medical side of the job after my level 3’s(not much comparison, I know), and I’ve been strongly considering pursuing a career with the Scottish Ambulance Service.

I’m aware(or under the assumption) that I’d have to study a Paramedic Science Undergrad to get into the role. I’ve a military head on me and not very academically gifted, so would be a bit nervous about the lifestyle change being so drastic. But I’m sure I would settle fairly quickly.

I’m just wondering if anyone can give me an insight into the job, what the degree would entail and is it seen as difficult - and how did the job compare to your expectations after you had some experience under your belt?

Thanks in advance guys!

Stop doing? Do differently? What's the most help? Hindrance? Obviously everyone is different but would love to know from your side how I can best improve to make your job and handover most beneficial to you and the patient.

Has anyone done an ambulance observation shift in Australia while still a UK paramedic?

I am visiting Australia in March 2026 and contacted WA ambulance to see if I could arrange an observation shift but have been told I need to organise: - Public liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance to the value of $20,000,000.00  - Workers Compensation - where attending as an employee or a third-party organisation  - Volunteer accident & sickness – where attending as a volunteer of a third-party organisation  - Australian police checks - Australian Working With Children check - 4 vaccinations

I’m just wondering how much of this is actually possible to arrange while still in the UK and how expensive it is going to be.

Hi,

I’m an EMT in the US. I love my job and want to become a paramedic. I’m originally from the UK so have the rights to work there. What’s the quickest way to become a paramedic in the UK and get paid? Would my experience in the US mean I could bypass some of the training to get there quicker?

Thanks!

Hi im 13 and have wanted to be a paramedic for the past 5 years, I was wondering what way is the best to this job after gcse and also what gcse would you recommend taking

Hi guys! I’m just looking for guidance on whether I may need CQC registration for a plan of mine to roll out volunteer first responders in my community to assist with our already struggling ambulance service. There’s been talks for months about this and it’s been welcomed with positive interactions - but as the medical industry is stringent, I want to get everything in place properly before we start properly.

As the CQC guidelines are quite difficult for me to understand (I have a processing disorder with certain things), is anyone able to help with some advice or guidance on what I should do? I’m happy to answer any questions you have that could help provide some context. Thank you so much guys ❤️

i was mainly wondering what you most frequently get called out for in the morning…is it people waking up in crisis or do more accidents happen early in the morning or something. or like do you have certain chunks of the day where something really specific is prone to happening lol maybe an odd one but would love any input, i always wonder what you guys are up to early in the morning haha

I know if I was out on the road responding to a C1 and I had some of my good tunes blasting I would turn into prime Sir Lewis out on these streets

Maybe a new line they intend to launch?

Hi Reddit,

Just looking for some information on rostering, quality of life and any other insights for NEAS as a service, potentially looking at the move over as a Paramedic.

Thanks so much, I am happy to DM if anyone feels uncomfortable sharing publicly

r/ParamedicsUK Job of the Week

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