Below is a set of rules my old buddy and partner Alan and I came up with for the various people who rode in our ambulance from time to time.

Rules for Riders:

1. When we are away from the ambulance, you must either be in

sight, or notify us of your whereabouts. If we get a call and we

can't find you, we will leave you.

2. If we are on a scene, and we begin to run, something has gone

very wrong, and it is in your interest to be in front of us.

3. Under no circumstances should you initiate any care until you

have cleared it with one of us, and explained to the patient what

you are about to do.

4. If you are asked to do something that you don't know how to do,

don't do it. Ask someone how, and they will show you. If you are

asked to do something that you know you are not permitted to

do, tell the person as much, and don't do it.

5. "I don't know" is an acceptable answer to any question, and may

be the expected answer. Don't guess.

6. Stretcher operation can be quite complex, and carries a great risk

of patient injury. Don't attempt to do anything you don't know

how to do, and feel free to decline any request to do anything

you're not comfortable with.

7. While we are en route to calls with the lights and siren on you

must be in the Jump seat, facing rearward with your seat belt

on.

8. If you are doing anything and we say "STOP!" we want you to

stay in the position you are in, and stop what you are doing.

9. If you feel that a care giver is about to do something that would

be detrimental to a patient, please feel free to ask us tactfully to

consider our actions, please also keep in mind that we are

ultimately answerable for our care, and therefore we must

reserve final say regarding patient care.

10. If you think you might have broken something, lost something,

or otherwise screwed up, let us know. We're no strangers to

making mistakes, but we can't fix them if we don't know about

them.

11. Ask lots of questions, tell us if you need something, and have a

good time.