Fighting for Your Life

A Paramedic's Story

By: Lysa Walder

Narrated by: Emma Carter

A teenage boy lies on the pavement, bleeding from a stab wound; a distraught mum watches, in mute shock, as her daughter suffers a terrifying fatal asthma attack; a young girl is gang-raped and her stricken boyfriend takes an overdose; a disturbed young man flings himself in front of a speeding train at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve.

Few people can imagine living in a world where such situations are part of everyday life. Yet for veteran paramedic Lysa Walder, these and thousands of other emergency call outs are part of a day's work: scenes of tragedy, heroism, loss and horror - but also stories of triumph and humour.

Lysa has been a paramedic for over 20 years, working for the London Ambulance service - the world's biggest and busiest free service - for much of that time. Here, she reveals what it's really like to work in a job that brings paramedic teams face-to-face with death - and destiny - every day.

©2011 Lysa Walder and Jackie Hyams (P)2020 Bonnier Books UK

Worthwhile Listening

With the exception of the language of some of the patients, this was interesting. I do wish it had been longer though.

Filled with Interesting and Valuable Information

I found this audio so interesting probably due to the fact that my grandson is an EMT on his way to becoming a paramedic. I appreciate these front line workers more than ever. Excellent delivery/performance by reader. Hopefully I won't become one of those frequent callers in my old age, lol.

I liked that the stories were straight to the point

There was no long unnecessary babbling on and on, she covers the stories of up wards of 40ish patients quick and to the point with just the right amount of information to paint a full picture up until they hand over said patient to trauma team and or ER hospital staff. And a good amount maybe 10 or so she’ll follow up to say how the patient was doing (~10% (ranging from babies to elderly)end up dying ))
what became of said patient and their situation. Two she actually ran into 6+ years later.
She has practical tips at ends that I’d hope must people would have enough common sense to know already.

Thought Provoking

I love the the way Lysa brings her experiences to light. She shows the day to day life of how responders have to deal with the general public... from funny to sad to serious characters to the downright despicable. I also appreciate the way that she explains how people really can and do interfere with their efforts while in emergency situations.
Made me think...made me laugh at times...made me appreciate the work that they do much more than I already did! Not cynical at all...just honest and correct. Good stuff

Very interesting!

I guess I never thought about what all a paramedic can and regularly runs into. It takes all kinds to make the world but a very special person to make a paramedic.

I loved every story

This book is about medical issues and accidents, but with none of the gore. It's more about reaching people on a personal level. It's about love for the job, and a passion to be ones very best-even in the face of chaos.
Highly recommend.

Unbelievable

Excellent. Really interesting and well written. Enjoyed it so much. Really awesome book. Thanks so much for writing.

Just Like I Remember

I really enjoyed listening to this very well written book of stories, based on your life as a paramedic! I ran 911, in America, for fire and rescue for many years. This book took me back to those days. I was touched by the sad cases and laughed out loud by others. But throughout, it was clear how much you and everyone who takes on the Emergency career cares about all that we care for! Thank you!

Interesting story, but OH MY WORD!.....the cynicis

I am a huge fan of first responder books so this one was interesting. I am taking off two stars for the cynicism this paramedic shows towards the UK public in general. I wish she could have just told her story and experiences without that. The reader would have been left with a fascinating insight into the life and work of prehospital care. Instead we are given a picture of the darkest side of humanity throughout the book. It seems like she simply cannot refrain from exploring each person's behavioral failures......even the bystanders. Particularly the women who was left laying on the ground all day long in a busy shopping center. Despite the recent trouble, that would have never happened in America. I will say that she did show alot of compassion towards this lady and I do believe that Lisa is a very compassionate and caring medic. The book just could have been so much better

Good listen

Narrator was good. Just enough of a storyline to keep one interested. Good perspective on that this job is a serious one.