Paramedic: One Woman's 20 Years on the Front Line

by Sandy Macken

Experience the exhilaration and danger of emergency trauma, where a few seconds can mean the difference between life and death, but also the raw beauty, vulnerability and remarkable resilience of the human spirit.

We expect our ambos to be superhuman, remaining calm, controlling their emotions and thinking and acting clearly, however, the emotional depth of these stories will reveal a whole other side. Sandy is just like you, only she is at the wheel of an ambulance with life and death in her hands every day. Without shying away from the trauma, she shows the reader just how much a life deeply grounded in love can offer.

Sandy's unique perspective as paramedic with the NSW Ambulance Service will open your mind, awaken your heart and shine a light in some very dark places.

Genres: Nonfiction

182 pages, Paperback

Published October 15, 2018

Reviews

[Tracey Allen at Carpe Librum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thoroughly gripped reading Sandy Macken's memoir Paramedic and read it in a single day. This is a first for me and a testament to Sandy's engaging story. Paramedic is a look at Sandy's 20 years service as a paramedic - or ambo - in Australia and covers the medical aspects, the humanity of patients and their loved ones and the toll it can take on first responders.

Despite reading this in a day, I was left wanting much much more. I wanted to hear more call-outs and more patient stories. I wanted to learn more about the training paramedics undertake and the different levels they progress through. I wanted to know whether they ever need to go to court and tips for members of the public when they call an ambulance. I've called several ambulances for those in need and I would love to know what's important to communicate to the dispatcher and the common mistakes to avoid.

Sandy's experience volunteering in disaster zones was inspiring and a reminder that we can all do better.

Running parallel to Sandy's demanding career looking after patients on what can often be the worst day of their lives, was the story of her spiritual journey. This gives the reader great insight into how Sandy has managed - and sometimes failed to manage - the stresses of her job and provides inspiration to those needing optimism and hope in their lives.

I'm currently in the process of organising an interview with the author so if you've got any questions for Sandy, please leave them in the comments section of my blog: https://www.carpelibrum.net/2018/10/r... and I'll pass them on.

* Copy courtesy of Rockpool Publishing *

[Tarmia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually absolutely love non-fiction books about doctors, nurses, midwives etc. And this at least, to begin with, was both enrapturing and enthrallingly written. I wanted no needed to know what happened yet. But, unfortunately, about halfway through it began to drag. Too much attention was based on her spiritual beliefs - no, maybe I shouldn't word it like that. Spirituality can be engagingly written about, as Elizabeth Gilbert has shown. This is where Sandy Macken fell short. It just wasn't interesting to read about her spirituality or balanced well. I really, really wanted to like this more. But what Macken was able to achieve and how she spoke about love and death with equal appreciation is something to be applauded.

[Katherine Bruce · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about one woman's spiritual and religious beliefs, and it just happens to be based around her life as a paramedic. The earlier chapters of the book, in which she focuses on patients and their lives, were of far more interest to me than her own beliefs and religious experiences. It's a shame because I was really looking forward to reading it and have been left very disappointed as it is not really what it is advertised to be.

[Birgit · Rating 2 out of 5]

Firstly let me say I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for all ambo’s. A friend’s granddaughter is about to graduate and I wish her all the very best and am confident she will be awesome.

I picked this book up from the library shelf expecting all different stories of life as an ambo and whilst it started off quite good, the last half was all about patients dying and her spirituality and what she thinks happens. She mentions God with a capital G, does she believe in God, I’m really not sure, it doesn’t appear so but if she doesn’t why mention God at all. That part which was a large part was actually quite confusing.

I expected a book full of different stories about life as an ambo and I didn’t get that. Pretty disappointed in the book itself. I have the utmost respect for her chosen profession.

[Pip Snort · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sandy Macken has a tough job. Late night shifts and endless trauma, her life as an ambo is profoundly challenging for the comfortable couch potato office worker. As is her perspective. While I dont agree with her mishmash of spiritual beliefs they have clearly supplemented her courage and her humanity in a way that I am profoundly grateful for. Reading this book was a reminder to love more, extend more grace and keep my eyes open.

[Tamika Hewitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories in the book were great however it was the lead up and lead down in every chapter that made me not enjoy it as much as I had hoped to. A lot of unnecessary story telling in my opinion and a lot of personal opinions and thoughts that were not relevant to the subject that was being spoken about.

[Erin Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice small glimpse into the 'typical' shifts of a paramedic working in a busy suburban area. Felt like to was honestly written as the author would have spoken the book. I would have liked more insight of her time spent volunteering overseas and how her career changed after the 20 years of service. All in all a nice, easy read.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast-paced look at the world of paramedics or Ambos as we call them in Australia.

It's pretty full-on, but a fascinating read as Sandy Macken faces all sorts of medical crisises.

It's amazing work and quite a read.

[Sharon Mackey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved reading about the real life emergency situations but thought it was a little heavy on spirituality.