A mere visible assessment of paramedics in action would lead many to believe that becoming a Paramedic in the Winter Olympics requires the highest level of expertise. Though it is not true for all paramedics, it is most certainly the case when it comes to becoming a paramedic for the Winter Olympic Athletes.
It goes without saying that the highest skilled and most advanced trained paramedics are needed to respond and provide the best medical treatment to the athletes that compete. Almost every event has a high degree of physical risk that only professional athletes are skilled enough to navigate and potential avoid. Becoming a paramedic for the athletes requires the highest level of medical training.
How many times do we hold our breath when we see an Alpine skier crash land and tumble hundreds of meters down the slope hurtling through flags and banisters or even crowds of bystanders? We hold our breath and hope for the best as paramedics on skis or a snowmobile descend on the scene to attend to the injured athlete.
It is clear that becoming a paramedic for alpine skiers – or other snowboard or skiing athletes for that mater – requires a highly proficient skills in skiing or operating certain snow vehicles (such as a snowmobile). They must be able to quickly arrive at the scene of the accident and perform the needed medical treatment and emergency transport that is unique to each situation.
The same could be said of almost every other Winter Olympic sport. A paramedic stationed at the ice rink to attend to ice-skaters – whether they are figure skaters, speed skaters or ice-hockey skaters – will need to be highly skilled at ice-skating themselves. It would be almost comical to see a paramedic slip and scramble on the ice in their attempts to reach an injured skater, only to end up with an injury themselves.
Another important consideration is their ability to communicate with the athlete. If the paramedic only spoke and could understand Spanish and they were attempting to treat a Russian speaking athlete who also conversed in limited English, then it would be hard to see how the paramedic could truly provide the best assistance possible, regardless of their supreme medical abilities.
Becoming a paramedic at the Winter Olympics would almost certainly require you to be able to moderately converse in English, the most universal language of most athletes. It would be a great advantage to have the ability to communicate in a second language, broadening your scope of practice.
As you can see, there are a number of additional skills that are of great importance when considering who is really equipped in becoming a paramedic at the Winter Olympics. This is especially highlighted for those interested in becoming a paramedic for the athletes at the Winter Olympics.
Are you interested in pursuing a career in emergency healthcare sector? For more information on how to get started in the industry or to enquire about paramedic pathway training, please call 1300 377 741.