Multiple Riders in Ambulance Back: The Reality and Protocol
Multiple Riders in Ambulance Back: The Reality and Protocol
A question often arises in the context of ambulance usage: can more than one person ride in the back of an ambulance at the same time? This topic is particularly relevant in emergency situations, such as during riots or transportation after accidents. The answer varies depending on the situation and the number of patients needing transportation. Let's explore this issue in detail.
Historical Context: Ambulance Capacity in Emergencies
The early days of emergency services like the 1981 Brixton riots showed that ambulances could accommodate a significant number of patients and medical personnel. During this chaos, the author describes an incident where an ambulance carried eight injured police officers, demonstrating the vehicle's capacity to handle multiple individuals.
Multiple Medical Personnel and Family Members
During an emergency, it is often necessary to transport not only patients but also additional medical personnel. In such cases, the ambulance's back can accommodate more than one person. For instance, an ambulance can carry up to 34 riders, as documented in one experience where the author picked up nurses at a bus stop.
Here's a breakdown of a typical scenario:
8 injured police officers: The author notes that during the Brixton riots, an ambulance carried eight injured officers. This highlights the extreme situations where an ambulance can and does carry many individuals. 34 in total: One incident involved picking up 34 nurses from a bus stop, going to the local hospital. This is an extraordinary case where medical staff needed to be transported en masse.Although these instances are unusual, they illustrate the flexibility and adaptability of emergency medical services in crisis situations.
Standard Procedures for Ambulance Operations
In normal operational scenarios, the ambulance back is generally designed to handle one or two patients and a medical team. The number of people beyond the patient and medical staff depends on several factors, including the size of the ambulance and the nature of the medical team.
Occasional Capacity Increases
While the primary design is for one or two patients, an ambulance can sometimes carry an additional person under specific circumstances. For example:
Emergency transport from a train derailment: During an emergency, such as a train derailment, an ambulance might transport: One patient: Strapped to a backboard on the stretcher. One person in the jump seat: For additional support or transport. Three people on the bench seat: For a larger group. One person in the front passenger seat: Usually, the ambulance driver.The Total: This arrangement can sometimes fit two additional people, depending on the specific situation and the need for an EMT/paramedic in the back. Family members might also sometimes ride with the patient, especially in cases where the patient is a minor.
General Rules and Protocols
The rule of thumb is that the ambulance back is typically designed to handle:
One patient: On a stretcher, sometimes with additional medical personnel. One EMT/paramedic: Standing or in a jump seat if space allows. One family member: Usually, only if there is space and if the patient is a minor.These rules ensure that the patient receives necessary medical attention and that the ambulance operates as efficiently as possible.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while ambulances are primarily designed to transport one patient and a medical team, they can sometimes accommodate additional riders. The key factors include the nature of the emergency, the number of patients needing transport, and the medical needs of the individuals involved. Understanding these protocols is crucial for ensuring the safety and efficiency of emergency medical services.