Saving lives

He recommends this career to young people and believes an honest person with integrity will make a good paramedic.

Biology, maths and science are necessary subjects.

A good paramedic needs to be emotionally stable, be able to work under pressure and be self disciplined.

“You have to be fit and be able to work as a team,” he says.

Students can study part or full time at Netcare, Lebone College of Emergency Care in Pretoria or the University of Johannesburg.

The costs vary between R15 000 and R150 000.

However, courses of six weeks or 12 months are available.

A basic life support course is a two-week First Aid Level three, followed by a six-week basic ambulance assistant course.

He says students then serve 1 000 hours before continuing to the intermediate level, a 13-week course.

Another 1 000 hours are needed to continue to advance life support, which is a one-year course.

Their duties include:

• Responding to calls and providing emergency treatment.
• Making diagnosis, providing pain relief and wound dressing.
• Use of specialised equipment.
• Preventing further injuries.
• Transporting patients to hospital and handing them over to hospital personnel.
• Keeping records of patient reports.

During his 20 years experience, Johan has improved his qualifications by attending extra courses.

Paramedics always starts their day by checking their vehicles, stock and equipment to ensure everything is in working order.

Paramedics are registered with the Health Professional Council of South Africa.

“To become a paramedic you must be emotionally strong and have a desire to help people,” he says.

“My job is a passion and there is no greater reward than being part of a team that helped to save a life.”