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You Called an Ambulance for What?
Tim Booth is shocked when his first emergency callout for someone short of breath turns out to be an adult man with a blocked nose. Far from beginner's luck, this turns out to be an omen for the rest of his paramedic career.
Between the obligatory stories of objects lodged in body cavities to grown men who can't look after themselves when their wives are away, Tim finds that the promised life-saving moments are far outweighed by the trivial, frustrating and bizarre ambulance callouts. He and his colleagues battle fatigue, abuse and burnout - treated with coffee, occasional moments of heroism, and a healthy dose of dark humour.
Told with cutting wit, pathos and disarming insight, You Called an Ambulance for What? is a comedic behind-the-sirens look at the challenges, absurdities and shocking reality of life as an Australian intensive care paramedic.
Between the obligatory stories of objects lodged in body cavities to grown men who can't look after themselves when their wives are away, Tim finds that the promised life-saving moments are far outweighed by the trivial, frustrating and bizarre ambulance callouts. He and his colleagues battle fatigue, abuse and burnout - treated with coffee, occasional moments of heroism, and a healthy dose of dark humour.
Told with cutting wit, pathos and disarming insight, You Called an Ambulance for What? is a comedic behind-the-sirens look at the challenges, absurdities and shocking reality of life as an Australian intensive care paramedic.
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Published July 25, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 337 reviews
September 21, 2023
firstly, nothing but respect for the paramedics 🫡 thank you for your service. overall, an entertaining (and obviously frustrating) read. however, i am not sure this book was for me. i did not take to the writing style, nor the humour. if you’re mid 30s bloke who enjoys dad ‘😂’ humour - this is for you. also i don’t want to be dismissive of the author’s experience in south-west sydney, but found its depiction of the south-west sydney population very reductive.
January 20, 2024
1.5 ⭐️
SOME MINOR SPOILERS BELOW
This started out well with some humility, a few good stories and THEN:
- Racist
- Classist
- Fatphobic
- Persistent dehumanisation of people with substance use disorders (cockroaches)
- Uses the term “woke” (quotation marks included)
- No grasp of health sociology or current medical/epidemiological findings on poverty and health (particularly food deserts)
- Keeps calling direct impacts of poverty “lifestyle choices”
- Admits to “bullshitting” way into ICU paramedic course??
- Entertains the idea that FM and CFS patients are all fakers???
- Weird beef with anaesthetists
- Is annoyed that modern cars are too safe and therefore do not produce enough road trauma for paramedics to “cut their teeth” on
- Called a sex worker experiencing homelessness a “pest”
- He cannot write a joke that doesn’t punch down. Like, he seems genetically unable to be “funny” unless it’s at the expense who isn’t a white guy.
- “Half the time I don’t even wear gloves if the patient looks clean enough.”
- One of the best stories in the book isn’t true
Eventually I was only reading to make a list of all the reasons people shouldn’t read this book. This is libertarian adjacent trash and exists for the soul purpose of demonising people of disadvantaged socioeconomic status and providing catnip for the worst mid-40 uncles you know. No shots taken at the NSW Government, and the systemic erosion of affordable and universal healthcare and not a whiff of humility or empathy. Disgraceful.
SOME MINOR SPOILERS BELOW
This started out well with some humility, a few good stories and THEN:
- Racist
- Classist
- Fatphobic
- Persistent dehumanisation of people with substance use disorders (cockroaches)
- Uses the term “woke” (quotation marks included)
- No grasp of health sociology or current medical/epidemiological findings on poverty and health (particularly food deserts)
- Keeps calling direct impacts of poverty “lifestyle choices”
- Admits to “bullshitting” way into ICU paramedic course??
- Entertains the idea that FM and CFS patients are all fakers???
- Weird beef with anaesthetists
- Is annoyed that modern cars are too safe and therefore do not produce enough road trauma for paramedics to “cut their teeth” on
- Called a sex worker experiencing homelessness a “pest”
- He cannot write a joke that doesn’t punch down. Like, he seems genetically unable to be “funny” unless it’s at the expense who isn’t a white guy.
- “Half the time I don’t even wear gloves if the patient looks clean enough.”
- One of the best stories in the book isn’t true
Eventually I was only reading to make a list of all the reasons people shouldn’t read this book. This is libertarian adjacent trash and exists for the soul purpose of demonising people of disadvantaged socioeconomic status and providing catnip for the worst mid-40 uncles you know. No shots taken at the NSW Government, and the systemic erosion of affordable and universal healthcare and not a whiff of humility or empathy. Disgraceful.
March 19, 2024
First of all, I must say I have the utmost respect for paramedics or anyone in the medical field. They work long tiring hours which leads to burnout and they miss out on a lot of family time which would be hard on anyone.
You Called An Ambulance For What? by Tim Booth is a highly entertaining and informative book with many humorous moments. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Recommended.
You Called An Ambulance For What? by Tim Booth is a highly entertaining and informative book with many humorous moments. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Recommended.
February 14, 2024
Does Australia have an issue with people calling paramedics when there is not an emergency? Yes. Does Australia have issues with Medicare and GP appointments that desperately need addressing? Yes. Do paramedics in general need more safety and care for them as people working in their jobs? Yes. I’ve been friends with paramedics and so the inappropriate calls to emergency medical services wasn’t a surprise to me. What was surprising to me was the blatant classism, ableism, racism and callous disregard for patients. When he started on the “fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome and chronic pain patients are all drug seeking liars, and they’re usually poor, too, ew!” is when I had to stop and check when this was written.
2023?! Are you kidding me?
I don’t think I can write what I’m thinking on goodreads without getting my account suspended- so check some of the other reviews for a more succinct explanation of what to expect from this book.
If you ignore all of his personality traits and remarks and monologues or “observations” and only focus on the events detailed in the book, then yeah you could get something out of it based solely on the “really? People call an ambulance for (random small or bizarre event)?!”
but no. Avoid this book, because the author probably would hate you unless you are white, healthy, wealthy and male and then maybe also wait for a paramedic or medical professional with a less terrible personality and functional moral compass or awareness to write a book on this topic.
2023?! Are you kidding me?
I don’t think I can write what I’m thinking on goodreads without getting my account suspended- so check some of the other reviews for a more succinct explanation of what to expect from this book.
If you ignore all of his personality traits and remarks and monologues or “observations” and only focus on the events detailed in the book, then yeah you could get something out of it based solely on the “really? People call an ambulance for (random small or bizarre event)?!”
but no. Avoid this book, because the author probably would hate you unless you are white, healthy, wealthy and male and then maybe also wait for a paramedic or medical professional with a less terrible personality and functional moral compass or awareness to write a book on this topic.
September 7, 2023
This book should be required reading before anyone is allowed to call for an ambulance.
February 9, 2024
This book is derogatory and disrespectful both to patients, colleagues and other health professionals. Rather than explore reasons as to why a person might call an ambulance (i.e. health literacy, societal and socioeconomic status, etc) the author berates people and their situation. It is particularly derogatory to those in a multicultural area where there are a huge number of vulnerable and marginalised people that already have so many barriers preventing them connecting into health and social systems.
The author writes in a very egotistical style that is difficult to read - using quotes such we might be hero’s and seeming like he constantly had to prove how much he knew compared to the reader. It is hard to work out who the audience is supposed to be. At times the author explains in detail certain disease processes or procedures/interventions but it is littered with jargon. The author goes into in-depth detail that as a healthcare worker you don’t need but as a lay person has no meaning. For example the in-depth detail explaining the laryngoscope - I was unable to work out what value it added to the story.
The stories frequently made fun of the patients - think laughing at rather than laughing with. It does not paint paramedics in a good light. This is incredibly disappointing as the paramedics are fantastic and hard working healthcare workers. I am very surprised that NSW ambulance service allowed this to be published.
The author writes in a very egotistical style that is difficult to read - using quotes such we might be hero’s and seeming like he constantly had to prove how much he knew compared to the reader. It is hard to work out who the audience is supposed to be. At times the author explains in detail certain disease processes or procedures/interventions but it is littered with jargon. The author goes into in-depth detail that as a healthcare worker you don’t need but as a lay person has no meaning. For example the in-depth detail explaining the laryngoscope - I was unable to work out what value it added to the story.
The stories frequently made fun of the patients - think laughing at rather than laughing with. It does not paint paramedics in a good light. This is incredibly disappointing as the paramedics are fantastic and hard working healthcare workers. I am very surprised that NSW ambulance service allowed this to be published.
August 19, 2023
As a nurse I can relate to every story. People are idiots - especially the ‘I don’t want to be vaccinated’ idiots who turned to the health system and their medicines for help when they caught a ‘made up disease’ 😂
December 10, 2023
Ever wanted to have a good old whinge about work? Sure you have, so has Tim Booth and he's written a book to let fly. Ever wanted to dump on people from low socio-economic areas, who are also migrants and have English as a second language? Tim's got you covered there as well, as he beats up on the residents of south-western Sydney. Sure, they might call on ambulances for all sorts of reasons because the tax payer is picking up the bill, but please Tim, check your own white male privilege before dishing out this racist diatribe. I do think somewhere underneath all the complaining and whining, Tim is an excellent and dedicated paramedic. What I don't think he is, however, is a particularly good writer. There was many a clunky turn of phrase and the overall tone doesn't do Tim any favors, as he comes across as someone with a very big axe to grind regarding the demands of his profession. There is an unintentionally hilarious sequence where Tim attempts to use reality television to try to educate the public about when it is appropriate to call an ambulance. Despite his best efforts, it backfires spectacularly! Oh well, couldn't change the world, time to go back to the ambo grind of unrelenting patient after patient (as he describes it). The book does pick up slightly when Tim recounts the difficulties and dangers of being a paramedic during the pandemic - hats off - you're a hero! Tim goes for an overblown dramatic ending, but ends up shooting an own goal, which pissed off this reader big time. Tim, if you were trying for the paramedic version of 'This is going to hurt' you were wide of the mark, but I do hope you are a lot happier now being a country paramedic away from those pesky, poor people with little English. Not recommended.
April 13, 2024
“Chad's got a theory that fibromyalgia is a made-up disease, that there's a global cabal of doctors who have gotten together, emerging from shadows in ritualistic ceremonies to conspire about how to deal with nuisance patients who complain that they're always in pain all over their bodies. Or patients who are always whinging they're tired and have no energy (see chronic fatigue). So as a collective they've come up with an esoteric name for a group of symptoms to appease patients that are never sated - patients who want a medical term they can display proudly like a badge of honour. It sounds like tinfoil-hat material, and would make a great monologue for TV, but every day I spend in the emergency world I become more inclined to agree with Chad's assertions.” — This is a direct quote from this book… Lol. I’m frankly horrified this guy has made himself such a loud voice amongst Australian health professionals. What he says is not in line with actual medical research and provides perfect evidence of the gaslighting so many women experience when trying to obtain diagnoses & treatment for diseases they are the majority sufferers of. No thanks.
November 8, 2023
Given the lack of empathy to patients, I think this book should be renamed to ‘You joined an ambulance for what?’
April 14, 2024
As a paramedic myself, I am disgusted and embarrassed by the blatant disregard of patients wellbeing and the obvious racism, classism and disrespect for patients and their need for help. It appears the author has a superiority complex and constantly belittles the patients he attends to. I believe it may be possible that patients could even be identified based on some very specific information provided. I feel like the language used in the book was incredibly judgmental and did not paint us in a good light. As someone who suffers from chronic pain (due to a work related injury as a paramedic), it was incredibly hurtful to read the way he described these patients and the connotations he made for various other illnesses. It’s true that we use a lot of dark humour to cope and sometimes our frustrations get the better of us, however it’s important to note that majority of paramedics love their job and go above and beyond to care for their patients with respect and dignity. There’s a reason that there’s not more books written by paramedics, when any one of us could easily write one based on our experiences.
September 15, 2023
Entertaining as hell, this just confirmed what I have known for years, some people are genuinely selfish idiots and sadly they seem to continue to breed.
Common sense is no longer common, and if my attitude is indicating a certain level of contempt and dislike, blame it on the fact that I have spent years dealing with some of the types that are written about in this book. 🤔😮💨
Common sense is no longer common, and if my attitude is indicating a certain level of contempt and dislike, blame it on the fact that I have spent years dealing with some of the types that are written about in this book. 🤔😮💨
April 27, 2024
This was very close to becoming a DNF and if I’d had another book on me at the time, I doubt I would have continued.
Within the very first pages I felt uncomfortable with the way patients and residents of south west Sydney were described/portrayed. As a Melburnian, I’m not terribly familiar with the area but it’s clear there is a great deal of disadvantage in the suburbs where the author was stationed. If that wasn’t already clear to you, don’t worry, he will remind you every third paragraph.
I work in mental health. I understand compassion fatigue and burnout. I appreciate the use of dark humour. But a lot of what is meant to be “funny” is actually just making fun of vulnerable people. If he’s not making fun of them, he’s making judgements about their choices and lifestyles like he’s an expert yet he’s never even come close to living in their shoes.
I can empathise with the author and his fellow paramedics about how frustrating it must be when ambulances are sent out to non-emergencies. Yes there are people who know better and feel they are entitled to the service regardless but for many of the patients described, it’ll be more complex than just calling for a free ride (loneliness, mental health, social status, lack of health literacy, socioeconomic etc). Being a smart arse to them or writing a book on it isn’t going to magically fix those issues. I feel it would have been far more beneficial to consider the reasons why a person might call for an ambulance and a paramedic’s insight into what should/could be done systematically. It concerns me that there are people working in the healthcare system who attend to vulnerable patients and blame them for the circumstances they might find themselves in. Or assume that everyone calling for an ambulance in a non-emergency is doing it solely because the taxpayer pays for their free ambulance rides. And yep, WE GET IT BRO. Pensioners, healthcare/concession card holders get FREE ambulance. Don’t worry if you forget it after the 8th time he tells you, you’ll probably read it 8 more times!
Overall it gave me the ick. An important subject but could have been handled differently. I don’t think the book will do much/if anything to create change. It feels as though it was written for the purpose of the author having a whinge about work and to blow his own trumpet. I’m not surprised his reality TV episodes didn’t go to air with that attitude.
I will say that I found the part on COVID from a paramedics perspective quite insightful and have given an additional half star.
I don’t recommend this book unless you don’t understand the difference between “dark humour” and just being nasty 🤮
1.5 ⭐️
Within the very first pages I felt uncomfortable with the way patients and residents of south west Sydney were described/portrayed. As a Melburnian, I’m not terribly familiar with the area but it’s clear there is a great deal of disadvantage in the suburbs where the author was stationed. If that wasn’t already clear to you, don’t worry, he will remind you every third paragraph.
I work in mental health. I understand compassion fatigue and burnout. I appreciate the use of dark humour. But a lot of what is meant to be “funny” is actually just making fun of vulnerable people. If he’s not making fun of them, he’s making judgements about their choices and lifestyles like he’s an expert yet he’s never even come close to living in their shoes.
I can empathise with the author and his fellow paramedics about how frustrating it must be when ambulances are sent out to non-emergencies. Yes there are people who know better and feel they are entitled to the service regardless but for many of the patients described, it’ll be more complex than just calling for a free ride (loneliness, mental health, social status, lack of health literacy, socioeconomic etc). Being a smart arse to them or writing a book on it isn’t going to magically fix those issues. I feel it would have been far more beneficial to consider the reasons why a person might call for an ambulance and a paramedic’s insight into what should/could be done systematically. It concerns me that there are people working in the healthcare system who attend to vulnerable patients and blame them for the circumstances they might find themselves in. Or assume that everyone calling for an ambulance in a non-emergency is doing it solely because the taxpayer pays for their free ambulance rides. And yep, WE GET IT BRO. Pensioners, healthcare/concession card holders get FREE ambulance. Don’t worry if you forget it after the 8th time he tells you, you’ll probably read it 8 more times!
Overall it gave me the ick. An important subject but could have been handled differently. I don’t think the book will do much/if anything to create change. It feels as though it was written for the purpose of the author having a whinge about work and to blow his own trumpet. I’m not surprised his reality TV episodes didn’t go to air with that attitude.
I will say that I found the part on COVID from a paramedics perspective quite insightful and have given an additional half star.
I don’t recommend this book unless you don’t understand the difference between “dark humour” and just being nasty 🤮
1.5 ⭐️
March 19, 2024
The paramedic interactions and patient stories were interesting but overshadowed by the judgmental, arrogant and downright rude approach by the author and his colleagues.
The author openly retells experiences where himself and fellow paramedics have ridiculed patients in their presence, shouted and made sarcastic remarks, together with many occasions where it appeared they were way too quick to dismiss possible genuine illnesses.
Instead of developing his own independent thoughts and opinions, he appeared to be easily influenced and happily ignorant to go along with the equally jaded views of the senior staff who were sadly lacking in their teaching and mentorship skills.
I know it’s frustrating to be called out frequently for non emergency events but for gods sake have some compassion for others who may not have the same health literacy, socio economic support or language skills.
Having said that, even those who were deemed to be a ‘higher class’ than the clientele described in this book fared no better in my opinion.
The cringeworthy description of his ‘little game’ when called out to the brothel for a payment dispute was another example.
Hats off to the police officer who sounded like she was also hacked off by his juvenile, belittling behaviour and therefore suggested he go so they could deal with it in a much more professional and respectful manner I am sure.
The only part that felt genuine was the COVID emergence chapters although again not much consideration appeared to be shown towards the population who were dealing with a new and frightening strange existence.
Hopefully the Eastern Sydney suburbs which were his ‘patch’ have managed to get some young, enthusiastic and pleasant new paramedics who treat people with RESPECT regardless of the situation.
The author openly retells experiences where himself and fellow paramedics have ridiculed patients in their presence, shouted and made sarcastic remarks, together with many occasions where it appeared they were way too quick to dismiss possible genuine illnesses.
Instead of developing his own independent thoughts and opinions, he appeared to be easily influenced and happily ignorant to go along with the equally jaded views of the senior staff who were sadly lacking in their teaching and mentorship skills.
I know it’s frustrating to be called out frequently for non emergency events but for gods sake have some compassion for others who may not have the same health literacy, socio economic support or language skills.
Having said that, even those who were deemed to be a ‘higher class’ than the clientele described in this book fared no better in my opinion.
The cringeworthy description of his ‘little game’ when called out to the brothel for a payment dispute was another example.
Hats off to the police officer who sounded like she was also hacked off by his juvenile, belittling behaviour and therefore suggested he go so they could deal with it in a much more professional and respectful manner I am sure.
The only part that felt genuine was the COVID emergence chapters although again not much consideration appeared to be shown towards the population who were dealing with a new and frightening strange existence.
Hopefully the Eastern Sydney suburbs which were his ‘patch’ have managed to get some young, enthusiastic and pleasant new paramedics who treat people with RESPECT regardless of the situation.
September 16, 2024
I wanted to love this book. I had heard many conflicting views from friends and colleagues who had read it, some loved it and some not so much and after reading it I see why. And while I think the author had good intentions, it just misses the mark. While this book accurately captures the realities of the job with touches of humour and inside jokes that those in the service can appreciate, and highlights the issues that need more awareness such as the high non-emergency caseload, bed-block, political red tape, and the gap in allied health services; I felt that the recurring derogatory remarks and paramedic outbursts especially in the first half of the book made at the expense of patients and callers really took away from the important messages that needed to be conveyed.
As someone who is all too familiar with the area and the job, while dark humour and frustration is common to survive in this job, I think this book also fails to really balance that out with the compassion and empathy that paramedics also have, which may take away from the positive good this book can have on educating people about appropriate use of paramedic and general health services.
All in all, while I’d recommend this book to people getting into the job to give them an idea of the realities of life in an ambulance service and insights that could better prepare them, I’d also suggest they take it with a grain of salt.
As someone who is all too familiar with the area and the job, while dark humour and frustration is common to survive in this job, I think this book also fails to really balance that out with the compassion and empathy that paramedics also have, which may take away from the positive good this book can have on educating people about appropriate use of paramedic and general health services.
All in all, while I’d recommend this book to people getting into the job to give them an idea of the realities of life in an ambulance service and insights that could better prepare them, I’d also suggest they take it with a grain of salt.
October 6, 2023
The accuracy of this book to what it's actually like to work as a paramedic is perfect. Its comforting to know that the issues we face in our service are the same across the country.
January 22, 2025
1 ⭐️
I was so excited to listen to this because of the title and thought I was merely going to get a few good laughs at some amusing and silly stories and the fun side of being an ambo as I already know the horror they see and what most of them have to put up with, it was anything but. What a wanker this idiot turned out to be. Rude, crass and judgy.
The last third of the book was about Covid which was absolutely absurd. The amount of times he mentions the news is ridiculous. THEY ARE CORRUPT, TIM. You were well and truly conned by a corrupt government and corrupt media. Surely by now you don’t believe people died of covid? The hospitals were not full of people with covid. The hospitals were empty. Photos shown on the news channels were fake. And surely you realise it was all about Big Pharma, Bill Gates, Fauci, and the other goons making trillions out of the vaccines.
Vaccine injuries exist. Fibromyalgia exists. To deny those things make you a despicable paramedic. You should be ashamed of yourself.
The only person paranoid is you Tim. Go get your 10th booster, you deserve it.
Audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by: Bolinda/Macmillan Australia
Read by Tim Booth
Duration: 5 hrs, 46 min. 1.00x
I was so excited to listen to this because of the title and thought I was merely going to get a few good laughs at some amusing and silly stories and the fun side of being an ambo as I already know the horror they see and what most of them have to put up with, it was anything but. What a wanker this idiot turned out to be. Rude, crass and judgy.
The last third of the book was about Covid which was absolutely absurd. The amount of times he mentions the news is ridiculous. THEY ARE CORRUPT, TIM. You were well and truly conned by a corrupt government and corrupt media. Surely by now you don’t believe people died of covid? The hospitals were not full of people with covid. The hospitals were empty. Photos shown on the news channels were fake. And surely you realise it was all about Big Pharma, Bill Gates, Fauci, and the other goons making trillions out of the vaccines.
Vaccine injuries exist. Fibromyalgia exists. To deny those things make you a despicable paramedic. You should be ashamed of yourself.
The only person paranoid is you Tim. Go get your 10th booster, you deserve it.
Audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by: Bolinda/Macmillan Australia
Read by Tim Booth
Duration: 5 hrs, 46 min. 1.00x
September 12, 2024
dnf 12% (1st Sep 2024)
I picked up this sh!tty book for what?!
Well, technically, to add a little humour between books and to learn something about the paramedic's job.
What did I learn? Well...
1) This book is not only not funny, but weirdly written. The style is choppy and disjointed.
2) The supervisor the author is with is not only toxic
but he also prefers droplet of piss around the toilet and on himself rather then being seen for... some obscure reasons, as less of a man. To each their own, I guess, but I wouldn't be proud to say that I prefer to piss on myself rather than be seen as a woman. And don't forget: just for not liking coffee. Coffee is the new cigarette of the cool kids for them? *sighs*
3) The rules of the street don't apply to them, and they can exploit the difficulty of their job to get what they want. And I'm not talking during calls, but when they park where they shouldn't, to get a coffee and chat with their colleagues. They'd rather yell, lie, and insult an old man than admit they're wrong.
What a disgusting behaviour. After yelling until his face turned red, he acts smug about it. Cherry on top: they let the embarrassed old man pay for their coffees.
That's when I knew I had enough of their bs.
Will I recommend this book? Well, if crassness and a lack of decorum are your thing, it might be your cup of tea.
I picked up this sh!tty book for what?!
Well, technically, to add a little humour between books and to learn something about the paramedic's job.
What did I learn? Well...
1) This book is not only not funny, but weirdly written. The style is choppy and disjointed.
2) The supervisor the author is with is not only toxic
There is a small coterie of paramedics who abstain from coffee. But Phil assures me they also sit down to piss and cough when they fart.
but he also prefers droplet of piss around the toilet and on himself rather then being seen for... some obscure reasons, as less of a man. To each their own, I guess, but I wouldn't be proud to say that I prefer to piss on myself rather than be seen as a woman. And don't forget: just for not liking coffee. Coffee is the new cigarette of the cool kids for them? *sighs*
3) The rules of the street don't apply to them, and they can exploit the difficulty of their job to get what they want. And I'm not talking during calls, but when they park where they shouldn't, to get a coffee and chat with their colleagues. They'd rather yell, lie, and insult an old man than admit they're wrong.
"We've just pulled a child who drowned out of a swimming pool and they couldn't be saved; DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THAT'S LIKE? Of course not. You probably worked behind a desk your whole life and got your meal breaks and got a decent night's sleep every night and never saw anything traumatic. Now you've got too much time on your hands and have nothing better to do than harass some ambos who just want a quick coffee and a chat with their mates after seeing the most horrific thing you could ever witness."
[...]
"Did you guys really just do a paediatric drowning?" I ask Jason as we leave the shop and head back to our respective ambulances.
"Of course not. But he doesn't know that. What if we had?"
Jason winks at me and heads over to his car with a smile on his face.
What a disgusting behaviour. After yelling until his face turned red, he acts smug about it. Cherry on top: they let the embarrassed old man pay for their coffees.
That's when I knew I had enough of their bs.
Will I recommend this book? Well, if crassness and a lack of decorum are your thing, it might be your cup of tea.
July 21, 2023
A brutally unapologetic and raw insight in to the real and every day life of a front line paramedic. This book will have you in stitches of laughter from the outset. A must read for every emergency worker or healthcare worker. Brilliant.
August 21, 2023
As someone who has worked in health, nothing here surprises me.
COVID has highlighted how stupid and reckless people are. Especially when it comes to one’s health.
🏥⛑😷⚕️
COVID has highlighted how stupid and reckless people are. Especially when it comes to one’s health.
🏥⛑😷⚕️
December 11, 2024
Do not misunderstand me, paramedics are genuine angels on earth.
His conversations on the structural issues within paramedicine like priority cases, a lack of paramedic health and safety and the handling of the entire covid pandemic, are so valid and if that’s what this book was used for, intertwined with stories of unnecessary ambulance calls to highlight the overarching systemic issues it would have been phenomenal. I cannot imagine how infuriating it must be to respond to so many calls that do not even vaguely warrant an ambulance, or how frustrating it must be to consistently see people making choices that negatively impact their health. If this book was actually the educational work it advertised itself to be to help minimise the issue of the public wasting paramedic resources it would have been 5 stars.
HOWEVER.
this fucking man is a racist, classist asshole.
The entire book is him complaining about having to work in a low socio-economic area with a high migrant population.
He highlights systemic health issues and a lack of health education that is found within the community and then proceeds to spend the entire book blaming individuals suffering from these same issues. At one point he outright claims that some medical conditions are fake and introduced by the “woke media” (fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue).
He slates the Northern Beaches paramedics for being elitist only so he can then saunter in and be a white saviour and show of the two words he has picked up of Arabic, despite working in a primarily Arabic community for years. You just know this dude would 100% have transferred to the Northern Beaches in a heartbeat if an opportunity arose.
The way he speaks about sex workers is always with negative, outdated terminology that clearly shows his distain for their life circumstances from his position of privilege.
Similarly, he only mentions the race of people involved in situations if it has a negative connotation (see; the Chinese workers at the brothel, the constant mentions of Indian and Arabic people making panicked calls to ambulances without understanding English very well).
He constantly criticises even his coworkers for their ‘poor life choices’ and unhealthy habits’ as if he is not simultaneously trying to use the book to highlight the working environment that has forced them to let their health commitments fall slightly to the wayside in favour of their strenuous jobs and relationships.
Do not even get me started on his commentary on the way people live, the way he speaks of those on government support (essentially claims they’re all faking it), or how he doesn’t wear gloves if the patient seems clean enough ??????? or how it sucks as a paramedic that modern cars are “too safe” so people aren’t getting traumatically injured as often as the used to ????? tf ?????
anyway paramedics 5/5 deserve the world and the best conditions and structural change
this lad 0/5 would rather die than have him as my paramedic
His conversations on the structural issues within paramedicine like priority cases, a lack of paramedic health and safety and the handling of the entire covid pandemic, are so valid and if that’s what this book was used for, intertwined with stories of unnecessary ambulance calls to highlight the overarching systemic issues it would have been phenomenal. I cannot imagine how infuriating it must be to respond to so many calls that do not even vaguely warrant an ambulance, or how frustrating it must be to consistently see people making choices that negatively impact their health. If this book was actually the educational work it advertised itself to be to help minimise the issue of the public wasting paramedic resources it would have been 5 stars.
HOWEVER.
this fucking man is a racist, classist asshole.
The entire book is him complaining about having to work in a low socio-economic area with a high migrant population.
He highlights systemic health issues and a lack of health education that is found within the community and then proceeds to spend the entire book blaming individuals suffering from these same issues. At one point he outright claims that some medical conditions are fake and introduced by the “woke media” (fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue).
He slates the Northern Beaches paramedics for being elitist only so he can then saunter in and be a white saviour and show of the two words he has picked up of Arabic, despite working in a primarily Arabic community for years. You just know this dude would 100% have transferred to the Northern Beaches in a heartbeat if an opportunity arose.
The way he speaks about sex workers is always with negative, outdated terminology that clearly shows his distain for their life circumstances from his position of privilege.
Similarly, he only mentions the race of people involved in situations if it has a negative connotation (see; the Chinese workers at the brothel, the constant mentions of Indian and Arabic people making panicked calls to ambulances without understanding English very well).
He constantly criticises even his coworkers for their ‘poor life choices’ and unhealthy habits’ as if he is not simultaneously trying to use the book to highlight the working environment that has forced them to let their health commitments fall slightly to the wayside in favour of their strenuous jobs and relationships.
Do not even get me started on his commentary on the way people live, the way he speaks of those on government support (essentially claims they’re all faking it), or how he doesn’t wear gloves if the patient seems clean enough ??????? or how it sucks as a paramedic that modern cars are “too safe” so people aren’t getting traumatically injured as often as the used to ????? tf ?????
anyway paramedics 5/5 deserve the world and the best conditions and structural change
this lad 0/5 would rather die than have him as my paramedic
December 28, 2024
The idea of this book is amazing, I’m a paramedic myself and was super excited to read it. If written by the right person, this could have been a great opportunity to provide insight into what paramedic life is like, while educating people on when is an appropriate time to call 000. Unfortunately, the author was not the person for the job and I’m shocked this was ever allowed to be published.
The tone of this book is very condescending and it feels as if the writer believes he is above his readers and his patients. The way he and his jaded mentors describe their patients is disgusting, and reflects very poorly on our profession. Being a good paramedic means being able to respectfully communicate with people from all walks of life to reach a health outcome that all parties are happy with, which he seems to really struggle with.
I would not want to work with the author in an ambulance and I would not recommend this book.
The tone of this book is very condescending and it feels as if the writer believes he is above his readers and his patients. The way he and his jaded mentors describe their patients is disgusting, and reflects very poorly on our profession. Being a good paramedic means being able to respectfully communicate with people from all walks of life to reach a health outcome that all parties are happy with, which he seems to really struggle with.
I would not want to work with the author in an ambulance and I would not recommend this book.
September 17, 2023
A raw and honest account of the life of a paramedic and the unthinkable (IMO) things people will call an ambulance for. I think Paramedics are often held in high regard, and so they should be, but this book opened my eyes to the work they do. As Tim Booth says, this book is just a "tiny drop of fluid sitting at the tip of a gigantic syringe when it comes to the wild tales of being a paramedic". Very interesting read
August 6, 2023
4.5* Really enjoyed this and the narration is so friendly as well so worth listening on audio! There are some great anecdotes and funny stories in this book, but also really valuable lessons and insights into the industry and some of the issues it is facing
April 17, 2024
While there are some interesting anecdotes that reveal the challenges facing paramedics, I couldn't get past the weird othering of patients, especially the coded language around Sth West Sydney people, a largely migrant population. I live in the real world and I don't think I'm oversensitive, I also acknowledge the very real frustrations of paramedics that may contribute to some of the venting, but, I couldn't get past the cringey smarm as Mr good ol Aussie depicted himself as the only reasonable bloke in the room while dealing with confused migrant families or homeless sex workers. Just left a weird taste.
September 27, 2023
I admit it, when the human race is really starting to annoy me, I often look for books that point out just how poorly too many people behave.
More at: https://bookwyrm.social/book/1407513/...
More at: https://bookwyrm.social/book/1407513/...
October 31, 2023
This was a great read! It was funny and informative and super easy to get through. I had a lot of fun telling my husband about the crazy scenarios as they came up. I will recommend to others.
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March 10, 2024In ‘You Called An Ambulance For What?’ Tim booth recounts true stories during his time as a paramedic in Sydney, Australia. Tim mainly focuses on his journey and all of the funny, crazy and ridiculous calls he received over his time working in the paramedic force. We get to progress through his journey with him as he describes patients from his training days, right through to his intensive care paramedic days.
This was such an interesting read. Not only was the writing well done it was also funny which can be hard to do when talking about health related accidents. It was interesting to see the things we see on the news from a paramedics perspective. As an Aussie, it felt very relevant and current.
I was really moved by the last few chapters about COVID. Again, as an Aussie, it gave me some PTSD based on how well he explained it. It was harrowing to see how blasé people were about our most important level of support in those times. It gave great insight into thinking before calling, is the emergency actually an emergency?
I highly recommend this book if you’re interested in health care or you like a good laugh.
This was such an interesting read. Not only was the writing well done it was also funny which can be hard to do when talking about health related accidents. It was interesting to see the things we see on the news from a paramedics perspective. As an Aussie, it felt very relevant and current.
I was really moved by the last few chapters about COVID. Again, as an Aussie, it gave me some PTSD based on how well he explained it. It was harrowing to see how blasé people were about our most important level of support in those times. It gave great insight into thinking before calling, is the emergency actually an emergency?
I highly recommend this book if you’re interested in health care or you like a good laugh.
September 25, 2024
Content warnings: graphic medical emergencies, graphic medical procedures, graphic descriptions of death, blood, vomit, poop, pandemic, racism, classism, ableism
Look, I went into this wanting to enjoy it. I kind of figured it would be an Aussie ambo's version of This Is Going To Hurt by Adam Kay - a scathing examination of the medical system with entertaining stories about patients along the way. And, like, it kind of WAS that? But it was also just deeply problematic to the point where the stories lost their entertainment value and just felt like someone with a severe case of burn out venting about their job.
On the positive side, I'll say that it was definitely eye opening to see some of the things that people call an ambulance for. And I absolutely agree that our ambos are extremely overworked and underpaid and they deserve better.
But.
Booth spends SO much time being derogatory towards the population of south western Sydney. He's derogatory towards ethnic minorities. Towards those experiencing poverty. Towards those with disabilities. He more or less verbatim says that people with fibromyalgia are all just junkies looking for their next hit of opiates. And then at the end of the book he lets slip that one of the most impactful stories he tells in the entire book was completely fabricated???
I just... Yeah. I could see the humour he intended. I just didn't find it funny (with the exception of the Foo Fighters song titles conversation. That was great).
Essentially, this book is completely lacking in empathy and I genuinely had to stop reading to look into an invisible camera, Jim Halpert style, when he argues that the safety of modern motor vehicles is a problem because it means paramedics don't get a chance to train on really BAD accidents.
So while I fully understand that people calling an ambulance for a blocked nose or a sniffle or a paper cut or whatever is extremely frustrating and a waste of ambulance time and resources, I don't think the level of bitterness and disgust Booth has towards the general population particularly endears the reader to his arguments.
Look, I went into this wanting to enjoy it. I kind of figured it would be an Aussie ambo's version of This Is Going To Hurt by Adam Kay - a scathing examination of the medical system with entertaining stories about patients along the way. And, like, it kind of WAS that? But it was also just deeply problematic to the point where the stories lost their entertainment value and just felt like someone with a severe case of burn out venting about their job.
On the positive side, I'll say that it was definitely eye opening to see some of the things that people call an ambulance for. And I absolutely agree that our ambos are extremely overworked and underpaid and they deserve better.
But.
Booth spends SO much time being derogatory towards the population of south western Sydney. He's derogatory towards ethnic minorities. Towards those experiencing poverty. Towards those with disabilities. He more or less verbatim says that people with fibromyalgia are all just junkies looking for their next hit of opiates. And then at the end of the book he lets slip that one of the most impactful stories he tells in the entire book was completely fabricated???
I just... Yeah. I could see the humour he intended. I just didn't find it funny (with the exception of the Foo Fighters song titles conversation. That was great).
Essentially, this book is completely lacking in empathy and I genuinely had to stop reading to look into an invisible camera, Jim Halpert style, when he argues that the safety of modern motor vehicles is a problem because it means paramedics don't get a chance to train on really BAD accidents.
So while I fully understand that people calling an ambulance for a blocked nose or a sniffle or a paper cut or whatever is extremely frustrating and a waste of ambulance time and resources, I don't think the level of bitterness and disgust Booth has towards the general population particularly endears the reader to his arguments.
September 23, 2024
There were some relevant and funny "You called an ambulance for that?" stories, but a lot of the book also isn't that.
I don't think this book is anywhere near as entertaining or educational as it could have been. A lot of his stories are actually of instances where people most definitely SHOULD call an ambulance (choking, not breathing).
There is a lot of crassness, which I take is just Tim's individual personality. There are a lot of stories of the ambos insulting the public and even patients, and a story of ambos yelling at an old man who questioned where they'd parked to get a coffee and lying about what jobs they'd been on to give the man a guilt trip. I know some ambos, and they are incredible human beings. Tim does not appear to be this breed of ambo.
I lost interest when he got on his high horse about COVID and vaccines. Maybe he's read by now that it's been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that the vaccine neither protects you from covid nor affects, in any way, how it's transmitted. You aren't "protecting" yourself or anyone else by getting jabbed. My guess, based on this book, is that Tim would deny vaccine injuries exist, just like he denies pain from fibromyalgia exists.
I don't think this book is anywhere near as entertaining or educational as it could have been. A lot of his stories are actually of instances where people most definitely SHOULD call an ambulance (choking, not breathing).
There is a lot of crassness, which I take is just Tim's individual personality. There are a lot of stories of the ambos insulting the public and even patients, and a story of ambos yelling at an old man who questioned where they'd parked to get a coffee and lying about what jobs they'd been on to give the man a guilt trip. I know some ambos, and they are incredible human beings. Tim does not appear to be this breed of ambo.
I lost interest when he got on his high horse about COVID and vaccines. Maybe he's read by now that it's been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that the vaccine neither protects you from covid nor affects, in any way, how it's transmitted. You aren't "protecting" yourself or anyone else by getting jabbed. My guess, based on this book, is that Tim would deny vaccine injuries exist, just like he denies pain from fibromyalgia exists.
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