Speaking of age...

[EMS49393]

85-year-old EMT in Pennsylvania

In the word of my favorite SNL skit... Discuss.

[JPINFV]

As long as she can do everything that's required of the job, including lifting, I don't see what the big deal is.

[Dustdevil]

As long as she can do everything that's required of the job, including lifting, I don't see what the big deal is.

Me neither. I don't get hung up on the age thing, one way or the other. There are just too many human variations to play a numbers game and end up excluding potentially great employees. Grandma is probably in better shape than me, and people keep hiring me for some weird reason. As long as her mind is sharp, she continues to be an asset, even if only as a third-man. She's probably got a lot to offer the n00bs in the way of wisdom and experience. Go her!

[captainstandup]

Unlike 19 or 20 year olds she probably wouldn't be blasting through intersections, at 90mph against the red, either. A great friend of mine had a saying "drive only as fast as you are willing to wreck" The speed at which I am willing to wreck has steadily decreased over the last few years.

It is quite unlikely an 85 year old EMT could safely extricate and evacuate a person trapped 300 feet over an embankment, but it is possible she could be effective in aiding in their treatment onboard and enroute to the hospital.

I agree with Dust, age really isn't the determining factor, but I must add that both the agency and the individual must remain cognizant of the environment of care. We simply cannot allow our focus on touchy feel good political correctness to cloud our judgment and present unnecessary risks to patients or to the individual EMT / Paramedic.

There exists a delicate balance between the recklessness, inexperience and strength of younger providers and the wisdom and physical limitations of older providers. As long as we can provide a reasonable blend our patients will benefit from both.

[EMS49393]

I certainly did not see as much discussion as I thought I would after posting this. I do have a personal story of my own about an aged member of a service to which I was once affiliated. At the time I was still an EMT-B and spent my time off volunteering for the last volunteer ambulance corp in this particular county. We had a lady around 70 that was a first responder. Being a BLS only ambulance with paid medic chase cars, we often ran calls together. To this day I have never had anyone drive an ambulance with as much caution, control, and due regard as she had. She wasn't able to physically do much, which was rarely a problem, given there was always plenty of help in this town. No one was bothered by her lack of physical ability simply because you were absolutely guaranteed the safest ride around.

No, I do not volunteer anymore. That was long ago, and I have seen the error of my ways. So, no lectures.

[Kaisu]

Wow.. you people are amazing. I thought for sure she'd get blasted big time, especially considering her volly status. (If she's good enough to license then she's good enough to pay) . That aside, I will be 50 when I graduate as a paramedic. (a couple of months before grad anyway). I am a martial artist, blessed with great genes. I can kick the $$$$ out of most of the people that are younger than my underwear and I still have to deal with ageism from time to time. Thanks so much for the responses.

[Richard B the EMT]

Someone posted not to drive faster than you want to wreck?

Think about the wall poster, with religious overtones:

Don't Drive Faster Than Your Guardian Angel Can Fly

[itku2er]

I say GO GRANNY GO :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!:

[spenac]

Nobody over 70 should be driving. Nobody under 25 should be driving.

1 has no reflexs and could drop dead any minute.

The other has no experience and thinks they can do no wrong.

Both are deadly dangerous. Sorry. My safety first.

[itku2er]

Nobody over 70 should be driving. Nobody under 25 should be driving.

1 has no reflexs and could drop dead any minute.

The other has no experience and thinks they can do no wrong.

Both are deadly dangerous. Sorry. My safety first.

So you would discriminate due to age?