Ambulance blue light training for CERAD students

[@thezanzibarbarian5729]

So refreshing to hear someone actually saying, _"And as there is no one about, there is no need to indicate"._ That's all indicators are used for. To tell other road users and pedestrians what you are intending to do. If no one is about, don't indicate. I didn't on my driving test when I came to a junction and had to turn left. There was no one about and I told the tester that. He just said "well done". Mind you, that was 42+ years ago 8-))...

[@sorrentoism]

Thank you for your comment. As you say the signals are a form of communication, I teach my students to use a signal if it would benefit another road user, I also find this sharpens up their own awareness and observations. Too many drivers signal as a robotic gesture without considering who they are signalling too and the timing of the signal to benefit others. That said this is an advanced driving course and I've always said to my students if your not sure whether to signal or not then it probably means you need to signal.

[@thezanzibarbarian5729]

@@sorrentoism Exactly. Just as I was taught to drive 40+ years ago. As for sharpening up your awareness, when on motorways, I'm always going from lane to lane (Legally!) if practical as it sharpens up my driving habits by realising who's both in front and behind me even if the motorway is busy. And as my dad taught me years ago, I treat every other driver as though they are complete idiots too. Love the videos though. It's really interesting the reactions of the public and sometimes the lack of a reaction to sirens and blue flashing lights.

[@radiosification]

But what if there's a pedestrian or other vehicle that just got close enough to see you, but were not in your field of view when you looked? I always signal, even if nobody is around. It's useful even to pedestrians and it's better to be paying attention to the road than trying to see if there are any pedestrians around you need to indicate for.

[@thezanzibarbarian5729]

@@radiosification That is the whole point of not needing to indicate when there is NO ONE around. Even in the IAM (Institute of Advanced Drivers.) test, you have to tell the examiner what you are doing and what is about. And if you don't indicate, then you're showing to the examiner that you know there is no one around. However. If you're driving around not paying attention to or for pedestrians, then you seriously need to. So ask yourself this. Q: What is the indicator for? A: To advise people what you are intending to do. So why indicate if you know there is no one else around? if you kept doing that in an IAM test, you'd fail.

[@scooby1992]

I agree , but it seems to me taht so many people dont bother indicating at all ever , even when it would be really helpful if they did .

[@Bigc847]

Amazing and scary at how many drivers are so completely unaware of their surroundings. A lot of drivers seem to panic into stopping when they see you approach and end up doing so in a completely inappropriate place. Poor awareness and zero understanding of traffic flow. We really do have a terrible standard of driving in the UK. Kudos for keeping your cool in those situations!

[@sorrentoism]

Thank you Colin, I think the problem is a general lack of understanding of what to do when an emergency vehicle is following add to that the lack of awareness because of mobile phone distraction and it becomes a big problem, I was hoping these videos would help to raise awareness.

[@Horizon301.]

While true, the Brits have impeccable driving skills compared to many other nations.

[@amyk9813]

I'm doing advanced driving and I'm pleasantly surprised at how many references you make that I have been taught! Including not indicating if you don't need to - it's really cool to know that it's essentially universal. Of course it's only civilian but this video really helps to reinforce Roadcraft and IPSGA. Thanks for including the normal drive at the beginning!

[@sorrentoism]

Hi Amy, thanks for your comment , we base our response training around the principles of Roadcraft. Good luck with your advance driving. Are you doing it just to improve your driving skills or are you planning to join the emergency services? Either way it's a great thing to do.

[@hughraynor8670]

I'm seeing you everywhere now!

[@scottculley5799]

I am currently doing this course and have found this to be helpful to me at the stage I am at and some help and tips for when I get to the week when I start my blue lights. Using the system of control and the p1 p2 p3 etc make more sense to me now seeing it all in action.

[@sorrentoism]

Glad it helped Scott.

[@carolinepage7809]

I'm just doing the CERAD course and these videos have really helped so much with my blue light driving! Really recommend any blue lights students to watch this, very useful.

[@simonspanswick467]

Fascinating and thoroughly educational. If only all drivers were able to read the road as you and your colleagues do, and consider the likely actions and reactions of other drivers, we might all be a little safer. I've definitely learnt from your demonstrations - after all, every day is a school day! Thanks for sharing this.

[@sorrentoism]

Thanks Simon, I'm glad the videos have been useful to you.

[@jemmapurcell7100]

This is super useful for my CERAD I’m doing over the next month, thanks for sharing Woody!

[@sebby324]

Good luck

[@sorrentoism]

Thank you Jemma, I'm glad it helps.

[@VairosOficial]

Alright, so blue light training are done in public roads as it was a real emergency and will be times that a person that is driving and yields to a emergency vehicle actually isn't yielding for an emergency but for a training. Right?

[@ChrisHills-bf5rj]

This was great to see it on my local roads. Also watching start to finish. Thanks

[@timmcdowell3097]

I’ll be starting my course in a few weeks time and this is a great useful indicator (no pun intended) of what is to come. Many thanks for posting

[@sorrentoism]

You are welcome Tim good luck with the course it's a great course.

[@sorrentoism]

No problem Tim, who are you doing the course with and where, may I ask.

[@timmcdowell3097]

@@sorrentoism hi Keith, I’m currently on clinical training in Bristol and will be on driver training at st Leonard’s from Monday all with SWAST

[@mrade5321]

No offence guys, but if I need to get to hospital in a hurry, I'm phoning DHL 😂 Just kidding, you guys do a fantastic job. Keep up the good work 👍

[@sorrentoism]

Thank you

[@mehitabel1290]

ALL drivers should be this situationally aware.

[@sorrentoism]

If only they were.

[@threeinone6977]

Thanks Keith very informative, what impressed me was your patience, I see too many EMS and especially *POLICE* drivers bullying and coercing drivers if they don't move out of the way quickly enough and incurring their wrath in the process.

[@quliux6986]

You should get out of the way waiting 4 hours for an ambulance because they sit at red lights now in case they scare people, what a load of bollox, if you can't move your car out the way you shouldn't be driving and if you refuse to move they should have the book thrown at them plus a good fucking kicking. Snowflakes medics should just get taxis to calls because they don't drive any faster than the road limit anyway.

[@davidhumphreys4516]

@@quliux6986 sitting a red lights when in traffic is spot on. Its illegal for any other driver to pass a red light even by 1 yard. The courts take a dim view of drivers who pass any red lights without the police making the road safe first

[@quliux6986]

@@davidhumphreys4516 SNOWFLAKE BRITAIN THE ONLY COUNTRY WHO DOSE THIS everywhere else people are trained to drive.. Years people pulled across the line and got out the way it worked, but they can make money by this, so why not. NHS is a joke anyway, you need to order an ambulance 2 weeks in advance. I won't move out your way from now on, thanks for clearing that up

[@threeinone6977]

@@quliux6986 Roadcraft: EMS Drivers Handbook - "Drivers (EMS) must show restraint and courtesy and the spirit of tolerance and consideration for others underlying the provisions of the Highway Code" "They (the EMS driver), will always be in the right place on the road, travelling at the right speed with the right gear engaged (manual)." "Concentrating all the time, planning ahead and driving systematically" "The essential ingredient to safe driving - TIME TO REACT" I'm glad you don't drive an emergency vehicle or I hope you don't. These principles go back 50 years and not just now. The reason why they're taking so long now is because of something called COVID.

[@threeinone6977]

@@davidhumphreys4516 Absolutely!

[@Sooty92]

Thanks for the tutorial woody! Starting my blue lights soon but this is gping to hwlp me implement system

[@sorrentoism]

No problem good lucky with the course Ben

[@johnmh1000]

Great vid - thanks. Very educational and it really helps to understand the approach and mindset (no disrespect intended) of a response driver. Hopefully I can be a better driver when interacting with an emergency vehicle on a blue light movement.

[@sorrentoism]

Thank you for your comments and I'm glad it will hopefully help you to deal with emergency vehicles in the future, that's one of the main reasons for posting these videos.

[@user-kx4zz8hd8w]

This vid was really helpful, I have my driver training in 2 weeks so excellent resource material, thank you!!

[@sorrentoism]

You are welcome

[@user-kx4zz8hd8w]

@@sorrentoism any tips for someone who is coming from driving larger vehicles, i am currently a bus driver but have done PTS in the past as SWAST asked if I have a cat d on my license? Just intrigued if we use larger vehicles aswell and if the same principles would apply as to driving a sprinter or RRV. TIA 😊

[@sorrentoism]

Hi, the course is designed around the Police System of car control regardless of what type of vehicle size. If you have experience driving bigger vehicles that's always a positive I believe swast use Cat c1 vehicles like most trusts. There are new pathways to getting the CERAD qualification which will be going live soon . I'm sure most of the trust's will stick with the c1 pathway. Most private ambulance services use cat b vans. Rrv will be a seperate pathway.

[@bennorman8544]

Doing my cerad course with Keith. Thanks for the videos they’re really helpful

[@mattstar01]

Very interesting, wasn't aware BM ambulance done blue light runs.

[@cathrynchappell8764]

Thank you for this video ...A great revision guide was really helpful

[@sorrentoism]

Your very welcome

[@alana2232]

Great tuition thanks . It does concerned me tho how some private ambulances use the blue lights for none emergencies to get to events such as festivals ect . Last min booking but they blue lighted it over 100 miles . The seems out of order

[@sorrentoism]

Thanks Alan, I agree I can't see how it can be justified.

[@just4laughs76]

That would be an illegal use of exemption. Private ambulance providers must have CQC registration and authorisation from the relevant regional NHS ambulance trust to run on blues, use of exemption must be justified, such as being assigned a CAD through EOC, or undertaking an HDU transfer with a time-critical patient. Using visible and audible warnings to get to an event booking is thoughroughly illegal and several companies have been prosecuted for unlawful use of exemption. There are a lot of cowboy companies providing 'event medical services' which are not CQC regulated ambulance services nor have trust authorisation, making their use of RRV's and ambulances completely illegal, but currently it goes unenforced unless they get caught out for inappropriate exemption use which happens from time to time. This may change soon with the Sect.19 update and manchester bombing enquiry outcomes. In my opinion it cant come soon enough, its a sector in dire need of regulation.

[@KJR-vh3rh]

Reminds me of the good old days where £1.28 a litre for petrol would be considered expensive

[@sorrentoism]

That's true

[@lozhell]

Always run through a cockpit drill. “I am the driver of (insert vehicle) which is a front wheel drive vehicle (or dependant on what you’re driving). I am familiar with its controls and functions. The hand brake is on and gear is in neutral. My mirrors, steering wheel, seat and seat belt have been adjusted to my liking. My seat belt is on and drivers door is close. Could all passenger please check their doors are closed and seat belt on. I am now depressing the clutch and switching the ignition on. All warning lights have extinguished, the handbrake light is still on. I am depressing the brake pedal too check for sufficient pressure and I have enough fuel for my journey. I will check my blind spots and mirrors, and will move off when safe to do so.

[@stevekenilworth]

9:21 in theory you were already past wait here sign for lights the wait here is like the stop line as it where they want you to stop so you were past point no return i would carried on, few sec later would had time to stop for light and wait here sign. always ready to stop but soon past point of a safe stop you continue but with bit extra caution as should be last through as one behind had plenty time to stop here sign. that my thoughts on it

[@davidbowen60]

When I took my advanced driving test we called it the cockpit drill

[@rubentiago9581]

Great videos really helpful thank you

[@sorrentoism]

Thanks Ruben

[@dylanzander3296]

I love all this it makes sense but im still a little eh about sitting at the red loght, like in the u,s, alot of the emergency vehicle will try and force there way through the light

[@sorrentoism]

Hi Dylan, generally we only sit at a red light when there is no way through it without forcing drivers to break the law. Most of the red lights we encounter we find a way through or round, it just depends on the circumstances and situation of the road each time.

[@dylanzander3296]

@@sorrentoism i mean i guess ever country has there different ways of responding

[@OH2023-cj9if]

If only more drivers were like this. I have seen a few people prosecuted for crossing a red light, one causing a crash. He had NO defence. Councils have raised kerbs, narrowed lanes, taken filter lanes away and removed lanes, causing gridlock and delays to emergency vehicles with no thought. The ONLY time a driver can cross a red light is if a police officer in uniform stands in the road directing vehicles. You can not be prosecuted for obeying a traffic signal. The same goes for bus lanes, let the exempt emergency vehicle go in the empty bus lane, do not go in it or you will be fined and can not appeal. No emergency is worth killing yourself or others to get to. It is not a race. If only training of this standard was given today, there would be far less police car crashes.

[@iamtomkills]

Brilliant video. Thank you.

[@sorrentoism]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@minidriversouthsweden5137]

I’m using the indicators even if there’s no one around for miles well someone can be around but I didn’t see them before turning I just got that habit of click on the indicators when turning into a road from a junction. I’m living in Sweden and the Highway Code is a bit different from the UK but not much.

[@sorrentoism]

Hi, I've always taught my students to give a signal if there is a doubt and someone could be there. Signals should always accompany a thought process. So for example I'm about to turn right, I will consider if a signal is necessary, will it benefit anyone or will it even confuse someone. If I have any doubt I would give a signal. We teach this more at an advanced level of driving, learner drivers are taught to give a signal at junctions regardless if there is no one about. What can be a problem is when drivers give signals without any consideration such as moving off or lane changes. By the way I've driven in Sweden before, I found it very difficult in the winter when the sun is stuck on the horizon for so long 😄

[@minidriversouthsweden5137]

@@sorrentoism i understand thanks for your reply and yes Snow and the sun will stay up 24/7 as you said in the summer and barely show itself during the winter common occasion here in Sweden especially in the north but not that much in the southern part of the country where I live but I’m used to it and use some common sense and adapt my driving to it.

[@scooby1992]

@@sorrentoism I am probably guilty of indicating too much Keith , especially when I can be turning in any direction at a junction from a lane not normally designed for that turn ( hope that makes sense ) , but I have noticed taht many drivers , including emergency drivers on blue light runs dont seem to bother with indicators at all . Sometimes this is safety critical , but at other times it can impede the flow of traffic when for instance a driver takes the exit off a roundabout without indicating and you could have made progress .

[@scooby1992]

I will re write that . I always indicate when taking a turn off from a lane that isnt designed for that turn .

[@radders261]

That was fascinating, nice one!

[@sorrentoism]

Thank you

[@benmalone31]

Very helpful & interesting video

[@benmalone31]

What vehicle were you using?

[@sorrentoism]

Thank you Ben I'm glad you found it interesting, the vehicle is a Renault traffic.

[@MrBerksboy]

This video also demonstrates some drivers do not use there mirrors any where near enough to know there situation behind them, classic example 23:53, easily have pulled into the bus stop yet brakes on the brow of a hill, pretty poor, not at all aware. when your driving you should continuously keep looking in your mirrors and should be easily aware of blue lights in the rear view distance not to need the sirens to make you pull over. Ambulance drivers need smoother overtaking manoeuvres, especially when they are transporting a patient who is in a critical condition.

[@MacklandsMotors]

If I was the Volvo saloon driver, I’d have indicated left and dived into the bus stop. I know it’s not a bus, but it’ll allow the ambulance to continue at pace

[@robnewman6101]

21st Century's Emergency Services. 999.

[@profcovfefe]

Very interesting video. Are you not allowed to overtake other vehicles when there is a solid white line although you are driving with lights and sirens? And other vehicles don't have to move at red lights? This is very different to driving an ambulance or any emergency vehicle in Germany. Greetings from Frankfort.

[@sorrentoism]

Hi, nice to hear from someone overseas and comparing the differences. The solid white line rule is law and as an emergency response ambulance driver we have no exemption to break that law, the only exceptions are found in rule 129 of the highway code which are the same exceptions as any other road user has. We generally as I demonstrated in the videos back off from the vehicles in front and not make them feel they need to slow down, in fact for a responding ambulance it's better if they keep going up to the speed limit if it's safe to do so. With regards to red traffic lights we have to treat them as a give way, we can not force vehicles through them and risk causing an accident, we usually turn just the sirens off look for an option through or round or sit back and wait, some trusts now recommend turning the lights off as well, it all depends on the situation. Are you an emergency response driver in Germany?

[@profcovfefe]

@@sorrentoism Thanks for your response. Yes I work as an EMT for the German Red Cross. In Germany we have certain indications for running with lights and sirens (e.g danger to life and limb, threat to public safety). We basically have two laws which are important for us at emergency response. While responding to an emergency, wether urgent or not, we have special rights which allow us to park wherever we want, exceed the speed limit, run red lights, we are basically exempted from road regulations but always under consideration of public safety. When running with lights and sirens we always have the right of way. Other vehicles have to give way whenever it's possible and safe to do so. This means they have to drive through red lights and slowly creep into the intersection when they are not endangering someone else.

[@davidhumphreys4516]

@@sorrentoism you need to come to scotland and retrain many ambulance drivers who think its there right to bully and force drivers through red lights or force them into a unsafe movement.

[@kentmccroskey3712]

if DHL is always late delivering packages and he left the ambulance behind it explains why it takes ages to get one.

[@ishuluturk]

Loved it . Great vid .

[@sorrentoism]

Thank you

[@jamesm6024]

Hey Keith, good video. I’m a farmer & I was driving a combine down quite a tight country road and a RRV Ambulance was on 999 behind me & I couldn’t move over so I just kept driving at a safe speed until I could move over for the ambulance, but the driver kept on horning me to move over or whatever even though I couldn’t & when I managed to find a safe spot to pull over he horned me all the way till he was past me. Did I do anything wrong??

[@sorrentoism]

Hi James, it doesn't sound like you was doing anything wrong by your description. If you couldn't find a place for him to pass then what else could you do. As a trainer I would teach restraint in this situation it's not easy for both parties but you can only do what you can do.

[@jamesm6024]

@@sorrentoism Alright thanks.

[@jamesm6024]

@@sorrentoism Do you train paramedics what to do if you come across an agricultural vehicle with a trailer / implement on the back - as it can be quite scary as a driver when an emergency vehicle is behind you and you’re limited on where you can go?

[@sorrentoism]

Yes James we do, we teach them to read the situation and hold back, switch the sirens off too if there is no way through, we can only ask you to move after we can't force anyone, of course it's a lot easier in a RRV than a van. Every situation is different though but know one should be forced over.

[@jamesm6024]

@@sorrentoism thanks!

[@richukfirewoodprocessing7108]

Thanks for making that. I have messaged you on FB.

[@sorrentoism]

Your very welcome, thanks also for the chat. Don't stop going for your goal.

[@busukevm8288]

Do UK emergency vehicles still commonly use manual transmissions? (American asking here).

[@sorrentoism]

Hi, Busukkevm, more and more emergency vehicles are becoming automatic transmission.

[@disguisedcat2472]

wow this is so cool!

[@sorrentoism]

Maybe you one day Ella ❤️

[@columcrawford]

Hi very good video just wondering what does responsive gear and lane of least resistance mean ? Thanks

[@sorrentoism]

Hi Colum thanks for asking. A responsive gear is just simply a gear that gives you power. Lane of least resistance is the clearest route through a situation like a roundabout or traffic light system. Hope that helps.

[@DS-um9hi]

How many potholes did you hit? 😅

[@donkirk5433]

Is this driving being done in a car or Ambulance please advise.

[@sorrentoism]

Hi these videos are all in an ambulance

[@donkirk5433]

@@sorrentoism Many thanks for your feed back:)

[@petertwinn786]

Don’t think I’ve ever seen Maidstone so quiet.

[@sorrentoism]

Yes, it's unusual , very busy today coming through with my students on blue lights though

[@petertwinn786]

@@sorrentoism I always felt twos and blues were the best way to traverse Maidstone.

[@focusmicro]

If EVERYONE drives like this (up too 19:00 mins in video), the roads would be a much better place. A driving test and course for all is needed! oh wait, that already exists! meh!

[@sorrentoism]

Yes you are correct ,MOST.people respond well to us, it's just the ones that don't that give everyone else a bad name

[@davegalloway7531]

Looks like the red light is on fire in the video😂

[@ruthgolding7424]

going very slow to get to a 999 call let’s hope it wasn’t that serious

[@sorrentoism]

Hi Ruth it was a training demo not a real life blue light emergency and anyway we are capped at 20mph above the road speed limit. Different trusts have different speed caps in ambulances most are either 50% or 20 mph above the limit.

[@scooby1992]

It isnt about just getting in and putting your foot down . This was a good blue light run and it is mainly about making safe progress . Anyone can get in and drive fast , but whether they arrive at the incident without being involved in an accident is another thing entirely .

[@mattgirling]

02:54 RELEASE THE BEES

[@marcc101]

Keith. Would be good to pick your brains about 1 or 2 questions if possible. Are you on insta so can inbox you?

[@sorrentoism]

Yes I am or Facebook Keith woody Woodward or you can ask on here if it helps, it might help someone else too

[@marcc101]

@@sorrentoism what theory do I need to get in my head in order to gain a pass... your practical vids are amazing. Just need what elements are on the theory...

[@sorrentoism]

Hi Marcus are you doing the CERAD ?

[@marcc101]

@@sorrentoism yes I Will be.

[@sorrentoism]

You need to have these 3 books Roadcraft The highway code DTAG ambulance drivers manual The general knowledge exam is 60 questions a mixture of multiple choice or true and force You need to know all of the exemptions emergency response and PTS You should have a good knowledge of the highway code Road marking solid white lines weather conditions Road signs for the road sign exam are mostly in the highway code you should get copies of the signs before the course starts Roadcraft this is the driving Bible for emergency response drivers you need to have s good knowledge of Roadcraft especially System.of car control Cornering Braking Steering Overtaking Night driving Multi lane carriage way Hazard awareness Personal stressors fatigue etc DTAG a good knowledge of this book is essential Vehicle inspections Pre drive checks Laws relating to ambulance driving Responding to incidents Skid avoidance I've not done a course for several months due to illness so things may change Hope it helps

[@disco7085]

holy fuck 18:35 one twenty eight petrol

[@sorrentoism]

Yeh just one year ago 😭

[@Kyxul]

Hello Keith, I had a question regarding the ambulance car vehicles. Is it just paramedics who drive them? Or is it a role a bit more senior or a complete different role? Would love to join the ambulance service one day.