The meaning of the word ambulance has its origins as far back as the 1400's when carts were used to move both sick and injured from battle fields. Today, we have several classes of ambulances to select from for our medical needs. The first is the traditional vehicle with the somewhat mobile hospital that is staffed with paramedics and EMT's (emergency medical technicians). These are rapid response vehicles with the appropriate lights and sirens. These ambulances are sometimes used to transport patients with non-threatening illnesses but are primarily rescue vehicles. Second is the Care Ambulance which is simply designed to transport patients on a non-emergency basis. Third is the air ambulance that is used in critical care transport in either difficult to access areas and serious life-threatening situations.
But, more and more people are calling a Uber vehicle as opposed to the traditional ambulance. Why? The cost of a regular professionally staffed ambulance is expensive. We can't expect to receive a fully staffed ambulance for $25 dollars . Second is the response time particularly in bigger cities. The average response time in New York is 9 to 15 minutes. An Uber car can be there in 3 to 4 minutes. The key question is what is the medical emergency? If it is serious and requires a life saving procedure the Uber is the last call to make. Do you want an Uber driver doing CPR in the back seat of a car? Of course not!
There are however times when an Uber car is appropriate. Consider the fact that you may have a well-controlled injury or just not feeling well. You would call a friend but none are available and Uber may be a good alternative. But, you better be sure that it is a situation that will not escalate or you may be in trouble.
As a founding member of an ambulance service and having served as a volunteer for ten years, I know how difficult is to train, educate, and maintain certification as an EMT. If I have a serious concern that last call I would make is to an Uber vehicle.
As a small piece of trivia it is often asked why the word ambulance is printed as an inversion on the front of an ambulance so that it can be seen is the rear-view mirror. It has absolutely no relevance and if you can't see the flashing lights and hear the sirens, you certainly can't read 'Ambulance" in your mirror!
But, more and more people are calling a Uber vehicle as opposed to the traditional ambulance. Why? The cost of a regular professionally staffed ambulance is expensive. We can't expect to receive a fully staffed ambulance for $25 dollars . Second is the response time particularly in bigger cities. The average response time in New York is 9 to 15 minutes. An Uber car can be there in 3 to 4 minutes. The key question is what is the medical emergency? If it is serious and requires a life saving procedure the Uber is the last call to make. Do you want an Uber driver doing CPR in the back seat of a car? Of course not!
There are however times when an Uber car is appropriate. Consider the fact that you may have a well-controlled injury or just not feeling well. You would call a friend but none are available and Uber may be a good alternative. But, you better be sure that it is a situation that will not escalate or you may be in trouble.
As a founding member of an ambulance service and having served as a volunteer for ten years, I know how difficult is to train, educate, and maintain certification as an EMT. If I have a serious concern that last call I would make is to an Uber vehicle.
As a small piece of trivia it is often asked why the word ambulance is printed as an inversion on the front of an ambulance so that it can be seen is the rear-view mirror. It has absolutely no relevance and if you can't see the flashing lights and hear the sirens, you certainly can't read 'Ambulance" in your mirror!
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