If you could only give one piece of advice about being a good EMT or medic what would it be?

I recently asked this question on Facebook and the responses I received are worthy of mentioning in this forum. Here are the comments without the names to protect the innocent. If you have anything to add to this list feel free to leave a comment here. The answers I received from this question were particularly moving to me as they came from some of the greatest EMTs and paramedics I have had the honor of knowing.

• Asking for another opinion is never a sign of weakness. It shows a desire to be thorough. 
• It's not about "emergencies", it's about being good to people, being kind, holding the bucket when they vomit, picking them up off the floor at 2 in the morning and holding their hand when they are scared. 
• Nothing is above being a patient advocate. They called you for help and it's your job to do that to the fullest extent and to the best of your knowledge 
• Always carry a pen.... 
• Learn and think on every call. Forever. 
• Never stop studying, you are either getting better or getting worse. 
• Compassion 
• Noone knows everything 
• Treating everyone like you would want yourself or a family member to be treated. 
• Remember it is not your emergency it's the patients. And if you think you know/ seen everything then you need to quit, because that's when you are going to hurt someone. 
• Learning the patients name and addressing him or her with it.. oh and a DOB wouldnt hurt either... :-) 
• make the less experienced part of decision making 
• know the basics 
• Show compassion even when it's not really warranted. 
• Keep your hands out of your pockets and show compassion. 
• Most important of all....don't forget to put the ladder truck in service for routine calls.......we need to get back to the firehouse as soon as possible to clean and cook for the Engine and Medic guys and gals, and the Deputy Chief and his Aide!!
• People call us when they have lost control of something in their lives. It is very humbling. Sometimes they call us for something major, but, more often than not, it is something minor... but it is a situation where they need someone else to come in and take control.
• Also worth remembering is that we have the publics trust. In very few other occupations can you go up to a person and they willingly hand you their child or give you unrestricted access to their life, home and property. Do not ever forget or betray that trust. 
• You have to put all your heart in to it and have the compasion to care for others. When we lose that things become boring. Thats when we tend to burn out. 
• Expect the unexpected, be aware of your surroundings at all times, use the buddy system, 
• The public call us when their lives are suddenly spiraling out of control. It is our job to restore order to their life, when possible, calmly with integrity, professionalism, and compassion. 
• Treat everyone equally and love what you do. 
• Do no harm. 

As you can see there is a central theme in these comments which you can read in the title of this blog. The art of hauling humans is a vocation best developed with humanity, intelligence, compassion, and respect for our fellow man.

I want to thank everyone who responded to this Facebook post. It is all of you that has inspired me to create this blog and share the humanistic approach to fire and EMS with our brothers and sisters around the globe.

Thank-you