Paramedic is passionate about helping people
BRYANSTON– Every day paramedics face a number of challenges that require dedication to helping people who are unable to help themselves.
The profession of being a paramedic has grown tremendously over the past 25 years in South Africa where there is a great need for qualified, dedicated and skilled emergency care providers.
Emergency care practitioner and branch manager for Johannesburg North Saul Behrmann is based at the ER24 Private Emergency Medical Care head quarters in Bryanston. He has been a paramedic for 12 years and from a young age wanted to help people and get involved in the community.
Behrmann said he sees being a paramedic as a calling, something he loves doing and enjoys helping people who are unable to help themselves at the time.
“I started volunteer work when I was 17 years old at the fire department and with ambulances on a day-to-day basis. That gave me first-hand experience and as a way to build my way in the industry,” said Behrmann.
After he matriculated, he took the six-week basic Ambulance Assistant Course that is an introductory course in paramedics. By the time he was 20, he had experience in volunteer work before he continued his studies.
In 2008 he enrolled for a three-year Diploma in Emergency Medical Care and Rescue at the Durban University of Technology.
“My goal was to get to the highest level of paramedic care there is. In 2011 I graduated as an advanced life support paramedic and became a full-time [ER24 https://er24.co.za/] employee,” said Behrmann.
In mid 2012 he took a break from working on the road with ER24 and went to work in Iraq for two years where he managed and ran medical clinics. Behrmann said he learned a lot of tolerance for other cultures where he focused on primary care and trauma.
“I advise young people who would like to be paramedics to do volunteer work from a young age in order to gain experience. To be a paparmedic, you have to have a strong personality, have compassion, not panic in high stress situations and be willing to sacrafice your time,” Behrmann concluded.
Related articles:
Safe environment for childrenÂ
