Addressing Fatigue For EMS Providers In The Most Effective Manner

EMS Fatigue

EMS Providers or Emergency Medical Service Providers work day in and day out to make themselves available for people who are in need of urgent medical aid. They make sure everything is working in order – right from providing first aid, to assisting them to the hospital.

EMS Fatigue:

EMS Fatigue

The entire EMS team faces fatigue frequently since they work so hard and for such long hours. In spite of this, it is nothing but a shame that their profession is highly underrated. Everyone from the drivers to the doctors – all experience this on a regular basis.

It is high time, they looked after themselves too. Below are a few tips to combat fatigue and tiredness for these individuals so that they don’t fall prey to ill-health and are able to perform their duties better and longer.

Tips to combat fatigue for EMS providers:

Below are certain helpful methods, ideas, and steps to combat fatigue; which will not only help EMS providers to attain physical and mental fitness but will also greatly improve their productivity at work. Combatting fatigue in EMS doesn’t happen overnight, but takes plenty of work like the steps mentioned below.

Reduce caffeine intake:

Reduce caffeine intake

Caffeine is known to induce alertness and mindfulness. But overconsumption of caffeine will result in difficulty in falling asleep for these EMS providers. Also, staying up for a long duration beyond which our bodies cannot tolerate is not recommended for any individual, especially EMS providers. Occasional coffee consumption is acceptable. But anything more than the required amount should be advised against.

Promote naps and breaks:

EMS Fatigue

A good break is necessary to unwind and relax after an intense EMS session. This is why EMS providers must regularly be encouraged to go look after themselves even when they are in the midst of performing their duties for the day. A couple of minutes will do no harm. Moreover, power naps will definitely ensure their physical and mental well-being.

Adequate sleeping durations:

sleeping duration

This goes without saying. EMS providers need to be on their toes for very long durations. This has to be backed up by proper sleeping and resting patterns if they are expected to perform optimally. This is why, when their bodies and minds are well-rested, they can focus better on their work, and will seldom fall prey to fatigue.

Encourage mental fitness:

mental fitness

Mental peace is as – perhaps more – important as physical fitness. We pay a lot of attention to our bodies. But we fail to realize that a healthy body houses a healthy mind.

As an EMS provider, an individual witnesses plenty of disturbing and alarming situations which may cause them to lose their mental peace and focus due to continuous days of work. Combating fatigue in EMS is as important as providing EMS. A break from their daily activities, once in a blue moon, will definitely help them perform better at work. 

Conclusion:

The above-mentioned practices and tips to combat fatigue are not all when it comes to getting an EMS provider taken care of themselves. There is much more to it than this. However, it is a good way to begin something that barely exists. Hence, this is why immediate steps to combat fatigue must be taken to look after people who look after us.

Recent Articles:

Scroll to Top