Day in the Life of a Doctor Shadowing a FLIGHT PARAMEDIC (ft. Spinal Cord Injury)

[@megant9890]

My goodness- hearing you no longer introduce yourself as a resident at all is surreal to me! You’ve inspired me to want to pursue a career in healthcare, and it’s been so cool to watch your channel grow. Thanks Siobhan, you represent Canada at its finest 😊

[@katie-kb6qd]

the way it’s been a while too but we’re still not used to it 😭 i feel like a proud friend

[@dakotasmith4609]

Agreed!!!!!!!

[@ViolinMD]

It still feels weird to me too at times!! thanks so much guys!

[@rachelmoore3931]

I know right? It's incredible!

[@ryannadernejad2814]

As someone who’s pursuing paramedicine as future career, these videos are always amazing. Thanks Siobhan!

[@ViolinMD]

That’s awesome to hear!

[@kelly1827]

As someone who spent 21yrs as a paramedic, the best piece of advice I can give you is to develop a "toolbox" of HEALTHY coping mechanisms and stress relief practices. If you aren't mindful of it then when you're in a crisis it's all too easy to grasp onto unhealthy ones like drinking too much or extreme risk-taking. Often, it's not the one-off dramatic newsworthy things that get you it's the slow Death by a Thousand Cuts. EMS can be an amazing and fulfilling job but it can also wear on you mightily, especially if you're in an agency where you are well-supported and you aren't paid fairly. I miss it terribly I would still be working as a medic if I weren't disabled now from an autoimmune disorder.

[@kelly1827]

ETA: AREN'T well supported Also, pee whenever you have the chance -- it may not come again for a long time!

[@ChildofAphrodite3209]

My mom is an EMT (not the paramedic on air but on ground!) and I love to explore around and I was in some calls when I have my seizures

[@SquirrellyDan88]

Lemme tell you, as a medic for 11 years. 95% of your calls will be for bs stuff. You’ll see in your clinicals and ride alongs. Remember your scene safe bsi. ABC’s and wives are equally crazy as husbands. But when you do get “that” call it will make up for all the bs. Once you save your first life. I mean truly. Don’t get a god complex. I’ve seen too many hero’s get that and they spiral out of control.

[@Maggie.can.hug.every.cat.]

I really appreciate how you have decided your speciality but you still see and have interest in the work of all allied health professionals. I think it reflects the way you see the whole of the patient instead of just the one issue you are treating. I think this is such an important trait for people in allied health roles and I really appreciate you.

[@ferno5019]

The flight Paramedics are the best! I work in rural EMS in Ontario and they've saved my ass more than once

[@braedencurry9438]

As a nurse in the ER, I swear by the alcohol swab trick. I use it at home sometimes during early mornings where I'm feeling nauseated before breakfast or my dayshift and the relief is swift and effective!

[@Cars.or.Cardioversion]

Also an ER Nurse; I have used that alcohol trick for my patients as long as I can remember :) you always get weird looks at first haha

[@floofeh125]

I 100000% second this! I deal with both repeatedly infected & non-infected kidney stones, renal colic & pain with kidney stones jumbling around in my kidneys and the kidneys then spasming - would NOT wish that pain on anyone EVER, stents etc; which comes with massive nausea issues from electrolyte imbalances with dehydration, increased protein in urine & blood, plus just nausea from extreme pain. This is my go to nausea trick! Although, I personally prefer the scent of the combined 70% alcohol & 2% chlorhexidine pads though, rather than the plain alcohol scent. 🙌🙌🙌

[@kaileyveitch353]

Also an emerg nurse, I use it for cyclic vomiting patients when we've exhausted all other anti-emetic options!

[@Itsm3kimmy]

This was why, when I was pregnant 8 years ago I was very rarely nauseous. I craved the smell of rubbing alcohol so was always sanitizing my hands to smell it or smelling an alcohol prep pad.

[@brigittealexander1967]

Thank you for that advice

[@Emsgems613]

I received my spinal cord injury from a MRSA infection that started out as an ingrown hair under my arm 14 years ago at the age of 23! It's been a wild ride since then but after that and many other severe medical issues and emergencies I am still here fighting every day with a smile on my face and a positive outlook on life!!!

[@floodlime8620]

I’m so sorry that happened to you but you sound like a tough person with a great attitude. Sending you good wishes!

[@Emsgems613]

@floodlime8620 thank you so much for your kind words, that means a lot to me! I am pretty tough and all my friends tell me I'm too stubborn to die which they are 100% correct on lol! Just got out of the hospital about 2 weeks ago from my 6th round of sepsis in the last 3 years but I'm on the mend. I was only in the hospital for 9 days this time which for me is not that bad AT ALL! Last time it was 6 weeks so 9 days felt like a weekend trip lol!

[@coolpixer]

Siohan! As a paramedic student, I LOVE to see the profession get more coverage. I hope you get a chance or have something in the pipeline to work with land ambulance paramedics as well! This is an amazing insider view to what the profession is like! Critical Care Paramedicine and Paramedicine as a whole is growing quickly and having someone like yourself with an amazing platform show off what these wonderful folks do everyday is something I love and would have LOVED to see as a younger person deciding on a career in Paramedicine. Thank you for giving us a glimpse to what Critical Care is like!

[@beth5337]

When I was airlifted to my country's main hospital for a heart surgery I actually found it so fun because i wasn't in pain so me and the nurses and doctors in the helicopter were just telling each other stories, it was a great way to keep 12 year old me happy and thank you for all the things you do :)

[@shmoogie31]

My sister in law is a flight nurse. She works for a private medical helicopter team in Tucson, AZ (where we live), but they fly all over the US. She's been doing it for years and loves it. My other sister in law is a ER nurse. My brothers are both Tucson Firefighters!! Thank you so much for all of our amazing front line workers all over the world doing what they do everyday to keep the rest of us healthy and alive. ❤

[@floodlime8620]

Wow, it sounds like you have an amazing family! Love Arizona too 💙

[@ScarriorIII]

Always be prepared, i suspect things are gonna get wild in the area in coming years. Shoot, they're already getting wild now.

[@BrotherKnowledge.]

Hi there. Paramedic here. Thanking you for both the alcohol swab hack and, most importantly, the research that supports it. *Thank you!*

[@KarineElsa16]

I’m a Flight Paramedic in Ontario and I LOVE seeing you do this!!!

[@stevenbowers4164]

Our helimed in England carry either two critical care paramedics or one and a doctor (a few carry two and a doctor), frequently a trauma specialist though your starting to see more doctor's who specialises in pre-hospital emergency medicine, what with the deployment of ambulance service trauma cars and BASICS seeing a doctor led trauma team at an incident is quite common

[@milkman69600]

You guys saved my life after a work place injury with severe internal trauma and bleeding transferred from NHH to SUNNYBROOK with 7 blood Transfusions. That day I can't thank you guys enough for the work you do ❤.

[@KarineElsa16]

@@milkman69600 so glad you made it through that!! ❤️

[@MirandaBailey-01]

Before working towards your Advanced Paramedic certification, how many years did you work as a PCP?

[@JordanBischoff]

My niece recently completed her Bachelor of Paramedicine (on top of her Bachelor of Biomedicine) and has completed her placement with NSW Ambulance and finds out in April where she gets placed! I’m so proud of her and how far she’s come in her medical career.

[@coover65]

Your niece is in the best country to be a paramedic. Nationwide, there's not really anywhere that trains paramedics like we do with our national curriculum. I've been a paramedic for 25 years and couldn't see myself in any other profession. Working in a regional/rural town gives fresh paramedics a real opportunity to think laterally. In comparison, working in Sydney/Newcastle/Wollongong are training grounds in their own right. Best wishes from Qld.

[@Chris_Denora]

As someone who needed these guys (mind you in the USA not Canada), for a now recovered broken neck, I have nothing but respect for you all.

[@flyingwithllamas]

I love how respectful you are of patients and the situation they are in without overdoing the drama. 💕

[@ke8910]

U've been such an Inspiration to younger doctors like me! I find myself more attracted to Internal medicine the more I study and read. Founding ur channel was a big help honestly! Thanks doctor 🙏🏼

[@MsStina84]

Great to actually get to hang around for some work this time and not just cancelled ones like last time.

[@ViolinMD]

Haha yes!! 😂😅

[@Fishfartyparty]

Your passion for everything you do in the field is so amazing 😩 love this video

[@Donutdog7]

When I was 2 I had to go onto one of the medical helicopters and I’m so grateful because it helped me get to a better hospital in only 7 minutes, when it’s a 45 min drive. Thank you for what you love doing ❤

[@carolworrall7931]

God bless the ones who save us!! Need an episode 3 for sure!

[@BigFluffy2091]

I met my husband when he was a flight medic. The schedule was rough lol. Now I'm in medical school to be a DO with the goal of being a cardiologist. I just came across your videos. I love that you're able to give a glimpse into the life of a physician, and your positivity is certainly encouraging.

[@strugglingcollegestudent]

Very cool! Good luck!

[@thesaltysergeant4103]

Ohh very cool, I just found your page. I was a Paramedic for 10 + years and did many flights during that time. Their hover exit was much easier and different then what I did. This brings alot of memories rushing back in for me. Thank you for your videos.

[@brandonlurtey6704]

I have actually used a alcohol prep pad in the back of an ambulance! It definitely takes the edge off nausea. Whether it’s bumps in the road or medical odors, it helps a little!

[@GeorginasJourney]

Would they all have them? I could have done with this last year 🥲

[@sunflower86.]

I suffer migraines. I had one at work (at a hospital) and a nurse that I work close with could tell I wasn't feeling well. I told her I had a migraine and was starting to feel nauseated. She opened her drawer and said "Here, hold this under your nose." It was an alcohol swab..and I tell ya it really does work for me. So I've used that trick every once in a while now for the past 5 years or so.

[@barcrrt850]

I like this woman. So personable and sweet. Makes for a fantastic physician! ❤️

[@Shelbydee3030]

As a southwestern Ontario paramedic who’s ultimate dream is to be a flight medic with ornge Im loving this episode!!! I can see you landed in Owen sound which is where I service for work!! So cool!!!!!!

[@curiousfirely]

Thanks for ID-ing the hospital! I was super curious!

[@hughscot]

The enthusiasm you exhibit is awesome, your husband is one lucky fellow. Best of luck.

[@SB_AE]

Love your videos! Thank you for inspiring people to pursue medicine! Keep it up!

[@Jeffrey-xs3px]

Do you wear black flats

[@Warblaster]

I haven't seen any of your videos for a while! Not hearing you introduce yourself as a resident took me by surprise, actually. I am so proud of you! Keep at it with that amazing, positive attitude, that brightens even my dark heart a bit :)

[@renegadetla9331]

I love how much you show us and why! I am indeed fascinated to learn about the IV pressure bag! I do wanna know about stuff like helicopter traffic jams that I wouldn’t otherwise hear of as a patient. Thank you!

[@RonyWellsin]

God bless you Doctors! I love you all! U saved my life! I appreciate you all my life!!! God bless you!!!!!❤

[@sofiasousapires]

Always great to see you shadowing another medical professional! Stay safe!

[@byakuganboy7856]

Oh boy! You know its a good day when Siobhan posts a video! :)

[@ViolinMD]

Thank you!! 🙏 hope you have a great day!

[@missykowalewski]

What a cool day. Have followed u through school and am so glad u continued as u began ur career as a doc. Have learned so much. I did however miss ur violin intro. It’s so cool and unusual.

[@camaro720hp]

My Brother is a flight medic, this is good stuff.

[@USNveteran]

To fly is heavenly to hover divine, rotary wing aviation there is simply no substitute. FLY NAVY!!!

[@ashikihsan1946]

That is a wonderful Flight Paramedic travel of you Siobhan flying in a helicopter to treat a patient with Spinal Cord Injury. You did your best caring Siobhan for all your patients

[@ILruffian]

Huge respect to anyone who does this for a living (and you for riding along). Former highway patrolman here who retired young to become a doc. In med school we had a lecture on helicopter EMS (HEMS) safety put on by the military. This was a few years after the Trooper 2 crash in Maryland (that NTSB report is worth a read). As per a 2006 paper published in the Annals of Emergency medicine, an HEMS pilot has a *37% chance of being at the controls during a fatal crash* in his/her career (one that kills pilot, co-pilot, flight nurse, patient, or a person on the ground). This assumes a 20 year career, flying 20 hrs/wk. The point of the lecture was the concept of over-triage (e.g. ground based EMS calling for air when it was unnecessary). While I read the paper years ago, it remains the most alarming statistic I've ever seen in medicine. I have certainly seen some dumbass shit out of volunteer firemen calling STATflight because they were looking to be on the 6'o clock news. PD supervisors often stepped in and insisted on ground transport. HEMS should not be involved when the accident is on a highway six miles from the hospital and there is no traffic!

[@Dee-0015]

Absolutely incredible!!! Brilliant video as always! Love the new series of following around Ornge!

[@HannahVonStevens]

I've been quietly watching for at least 5 years. You are literally iconic. Thank you for being there!

[@nicolewoolley6863]

that looked like the owen sound hospital. I work in Rouge national urban park and I see orang fly over all the time (I also see them fly back all the time, now I know why lol). It's comforting knowing that they are around because I work in some areas that are not super easy to get to

[@danicarivard-genier7717]

Yup thinking the same!!

[@jamesbooth7524]

Thanks for taking me along for the awesome flight. Beautiful scenery

[@juliezainal5919]

Thanks I really enjoyed! Pilots like these have saved my father twice due to pacemaker going off and heart erthymia unstable

[@jakeaurod]

I keep telling myself that watching your helicopter med-evac videos will help me overcome anxiety for that time I was transferred between hospitals after cardiac arrest, but I still find myself breathing hard and tearing up. That patient's story also reminds me of when I woke up from the coma and had severe sciatic pain, possibly from a calcified gluteal tendon. It was almost as bad as a time I had a cervical disk injury that made my right arm from my shoulder to my fingertips feel like it was a combination of a piano string someone was banging on, plus being plugged into an electric socket, and set on on fire all at the same time. That pain was so bad I told the nurse in the ER to kill me now. After having experienced a heart attack and cardiac arrest, I still stand by that statement. Nerve pain is worse, although to be fair, I have amnesia for the heart attack and cardiac arrest.

[@JF-NYC-NJ-Girl]

I agree about the nerve pain! Literally unbearable

[@zacharygrossman8316]

Omg! I didn't realize this was Toronto! I am so invested in this now! I always see the orange helicopters flying around! I would love to see more videos of this!!

[@jimreilly917]

Love your enthusiasm for flight medicine Doc.

[@mikekelly7862]

Wow, very cool! The logistics of medevac and patient transfer seem tough, but its really neat to see the ways they adapt to that. Like, I'd never considered the challenges of hanging fluids for a patient when you have so little headroom; the pressurized IV bag is a cool, low tech solution. You must get the best views of the city flying in and out of Billy Bishop all day too; it's such a unique spot. I'd gladly watch a longer documentary of this stuff!

[@danielle9074]

I LOVED this. Reminds me so much of watching Rescue 911 as a kid, but with a better information : drama ratio.. And as a frequently nauseated human, I might just have to start travelling with a stash of alcohol swabs...weird medical facts for the win.

[@CANRUSH]

Very interesting. I think it would be awesome to work for them one day. Thanks for the alcohol wipes article!

[@jessfidler2356]

I just recently watched your last flight paramedic video❤

[@karagregory69]

Its been a few years, and your video came up as a suggestion. OMG. Totally forgot. Last one I saw you were an x year resident and played violin in your intro. Time to binge watch past videos to catch up. Wish me luck!

[@lextownsend]

Was thinking about you recently and used to watch your videos way way back when you were a resident. Crazy that this just shows up in my feed today??? Love that you’re thriving and all the success

[@folkfollower86]

This was interesting to learn about, thank you! Fun to see you learn about the alcohol swab trick for the first time as a doctor. I learned this from a nurse, and utilize it frequently working as an occupational therapist, getting people up and moving in an acute care setting.

[@jessieplays1212]

I love watching your videos even though I know nothing about medicine. It’s still very interesting to watch

[@ViolinMD]

So glad to hear that!

[@Maryrojasbeltran1998]

that was so cool!! I'm really happy for you, you're amazingggg can''t wait to see more videos like this

[@victoriapurdy143]

I never realized you were Canadian, let alone in Toronto! Close to home, I actually recognized the hospital you picked the patient up from 😉

[@bobd2659]

If you haven't already, see if you can get some time working with stadium medics (ACC, Skydome...). Those folks have ALWAYS been great and just fun to hang out with for a show or game... Like these guys, you can be chatting one minute, and the next second they're off and on the top of their game...Thankfully I've never needed them, but knowing they were a quick radio call away was always a god send!

[@MadiSwegle]

I’m a nurse and I use the alcohol swab trick a lot with my patients! Especially helpful while waiting for orders to go through for antiemetics!

[@LaraA55]

@Violin MD This video blew my mind, eyes glued to the screen and enjoyed learning more about the flight paramedic service and spinal issues.🤗 And I am going to make an order for alcohol swipes.....and try it out, cheaper than Ondanesteron for sure. 👌

[@jessiewhitman8688]

I've done the alcohol pad trick a lot. When I know im gonna be doing something that makes me nausea; I have alcohol pads. Love this type of video!!

[@zackarycasagrande3749]

I'm an EMT in a rural area and we use swabs to help patient's cope with all the curves and bumps in the road quite frequently.

[@ambulance_boy3834]

Isopropyl alcohol has worked well in prehospital settings. Since EMTBs (emergency medical technician basic) cannot start IVs, that is sometimes the only thing they can give for motion sickness. Thankfully it reduces the nausea in many patients.

[@keerthirathnayake9681]

Execelent service. We hope will be in our counrty like this service❤

[@livingbArbarinobhjjjk]

This is so cool! You look beautiful! I hope the patient is doing better .

[@LibbyKay188]

omg I am so unbelievably scared of flying, I have so much respect for flight paramedics. So important. Thank you for your service!

[@Rock_Bill_Kaa]

Wow, I had no clue Canada had this kind of technology and service. Way to go!

[@lornab2555]

Thank you this vlog answered some questions I had on helicopter medical! Nice seeing you again! 🙏

[@zorabw8948]

Very interesting video. It is amazing to see how challenging this is. All the equipment and the patient have to be handled in a very limited space, and traffic jams have to be dealt with. You are a doctor every patient would want to have, and I am glad to see that your subscriber numbers are going up.

[@brendah1973]

I love that they gave you an alcohol swab to sniff for your nausea. I work in PACU and it's a little trick we use for post-op nausea.

[@Cauldrxn]

I dropped off this channel for about a year because I remade my KZbin. I don’t know you personally but I’m so gosh darn proud of you! 🎉

[@lennymed]

6:40 the pressure bag is for an invasive bloodpressure! You can see him flush it :)

[@gabbidy]

Love the video!! Flight paramedics are the coolest. Would love to see you spend a day with a radiographer or CT tech! 😊

[@juliar9428]

This happened to me. Cauda Equina survivor since 2020

[@Aleena8700]

Can I just say your channel is amazing and so focused on true to life days of all these medical professionals! I absolutely fell engaged on all your vlogs! Awesome

[@rashesthippo]

Amazing to see my home town Owen Sound here.

[@anisaabdullahi3802]

I love EMS and emergency rooms, Will be working in an ER after completing graduate school. Also have a passion for flying

[@saraht-ds1ml]

Hey my lovely Shawna ❤️❤️ you're amazing as always. All that hard work you've done 👍🏼

[@piotrkraczkowski6729]

The landing place for the helicopter 4:45 should be just near the hospital (with wall against the noise) and the parking place for cars can be further away! It is a matter of time and of rain, snow and so on.

[@shirleymack8651]

Another great video. And as for the alcohol swab for nausea, i have to give it a try when needed.

[@ViolinMD]

Yes definitely! Let me know how it works for you!

[@patriciaavery9001]

The. Alchohol. Swab. 😮 You have my eternal gratitude. 💖 ** mind officially blown ** 💖

[@jeffreybowers1220]

when i think of amazing youtubers. her channel comes to mind😇

[@StefBarber]

Thanks again Dr. Siobhan! 💜

[@stephernoodle]

As a gastroparesis patient, I’ll have to try the alcohol swab trick, I’ve never heard of it! Thanks for the amazing video as usual 💜

[@stephernoodle]

Update: the alcohol trick worked for me tonight when my ondansetron wasn’t enough ✨ thank you so much for sharing this!!

[@misseselise3864]

i also have gastroparesis & the alcohol swab trick works wonders for me

[@imogenoliver]

This was so interesting to watch this video, such a cool experience to get to fly with them. If you ever get the chance again I would definitely watch another video on this ☺️.

[@andrews6211]

It’s always great to see another video from you Dr. Shioban. Hope all is well.

[@katharineshields]

I love this! I learned the alcohol swab trick from my l&d nurse friend and it is truly magical

[@lauraanderson7492]

As a nurse alcohol swab works. Also a acupuncture point for nausea is above center of the upper lip, press hard and that helps reduce nausea.

[@rball690]

As a hover exit drill/confirmation that was a piss poor one. What good does an exit/re-entry drill do if you don't take your equipment.

[@jeasie1234]

I’m an ambulance dispatcher for the GTA, I love your videos and seeing you shadow other professionals!

[@vancouverbuddy78]

Do more videos like this with the air ambulance! Longer with more calls! You are amazing!

[@dustinshuey1477]

I just survived a heart repair surgery back in October up last year and it's good to see you on the internet again it would be cool to meet you in person someday I live in Washington state and I've worked in Alaska and I've been all up and down the West Coast on tugboats offshore stuff Merchant Mariner travels

[@remielkitmmanlapig6835]

Thank you so much Siobhan !! Im pursuing my PCP rn then ACP! I plan to work for ORNGE someday‼️ these videos are so fun to watch

[@samjones4327]

Hey what's up Siobhan!! Thank u 4 sharing another great medical adventure with life flight with us! These are always so awesome! I was gonna say that maybe you should consider doing life flight full time but if you have bouts with nausea, maaaybe not so much! But at any rate, I'm just gonna say that you're a pretty dope doc!! Thank u so much for educating us! Be well, be safe and see u in the next adventure! Cheers!!!

[@jessicawiseman6908]

My neurologist switched me from ondansetron to alcohol swabs for my migraine nausea because she said I would be able to sniff whenever I needed instead of one per day. I was skeptical at first too but it totally works and you don’t have to worry about side effects!!

[@charliep123]

I live in Toronto and I see the red helicopter flying around all the time. Whenever I do I always stop and wonder what’s going on up there. Thanks for providing an inside look.

[@rachelbayless3538]

8:34 I had hyperemesis gravidarum with both pregnancies, and the alcohol swabs saved me numerous times. They work so much faster than ondansetron or promethazine, so it gave me enough relief until one of the meds kicked in.

[@daviddalton8341]

I just had l4 l5 fushion surgery at our regional hospital down here. So I know the feeling of having spine surgery

[@destinygonka6985]

I always had an interest for the medical field but after your videos its really pushed me to want to pursue being a paramedic

[@shayamaddex996]

The alcohol pad trick is absolutely real. I take a lot of calls from nursing homes where the patient's room smells so bad that I gag when I try to speak. We always have prep pads with the glucometer so I tear open the wrapper and stick it inside my mask.

[@davidweston6653]

Very informative, good editing. Keep ‘em coming 🚁💨

[@richardherlth8564]

I enjoy seeing your videos and I have learned so much from you thank you

[@JB48-H2]

I have a bulging disc + spinal stenosis that together could cause the disc to herniate and lead to cauda equina. I’m currently under very strict instructions to immediately go to the ER if anything changes. I would need to be airlifted to a bigger hospital with neurosurgeons.