Am I Going To Die?

I’ve had a Patient ask me so many times “Am I going to die?” Do they really think an EMT or Paramedic would ever respond, “Yes. You’re going to die”. Of course not, yet they keep asking.

What possible scenario could exist where the emergency responder would reply with anything other than “No, you’re not going to die.” What are we going to say? “Yeah, sorry about this, but you’ve only got a few moments left to live. You better make some phone calls.” There is not a single scenario where they would ever say “Yes.”

This question is ridiculous for two reasons.

1. If you are asking if you’re going to live, you are TALKING and thus are conscious and relatively okay. The very fact that you are able to form this morbid thought and then articulate it means your brain and vital organs are functioning adequately and you are in good shape. The ones who are actually in danger of biting it are those who are unconscious, and thus do not speak.

2. If you are asking this absurd question to me, an EMT, it means you or someone has already activated the 911 system and you are getting help as we speak. You’d only be in danger when you’re conscious if you were in the middle of nowhere or alone and could circle the drain over a long period of time. Your 127 HOURS survival scenario.

So in short, if you’re talking (not unconscious or altered) and you’re talking to me (someone who is currently taking you to an emergency room) you are FINE.

This rule also applies to “Am I going to be okay?”. Of course you are. And even if you somehow weren’t, would I really say, “Naw, you’re Effed.” ?

The reality is, people just want the comfort of hearing us say “You’re going to be alright”. And I get that. But when you call 911 for nausea/vomiting, get over yourself. You’re fine.

So in short, if you are ever having a medical emergency, CALM DOWN. It’s the best thing for you and for us.