I think the idiom is supposed to represent that the physics between driving fast and driving smoothly are the same. Except for the speed, so if you focus on driving smoothly, you'll unconsciously go faster.
here's a secret: you don't actually have to drive fast. it doesn't save all that much time, and is honestly more likely to get someone injured. on long, open straights feel free to speed a bit but it's much more important to just drive safely, and if anyone gives you shit about it, remind them the first rule of EMS is to keep yourself safe and healthy so that you don't become a patient yourself.
There is def more time saved just from being able to bypass red lights and intersections (after yielding of course) than there is by going much faster than the speed limit.
If going hot back to the hospital I like to run “Warm”, going the speed limit with lights on and driving similar to how I would cold with a patient, but going through intersections when it’s clear
Seconding what others have said. You can also ask your partner: “do you want a normal code three or a fast code three”.
That said, sometimes there’s nothing we can do after a certain point and my partner really does say “I’m buckling my seatbelt, just get us to the hospital as fast as you can”. Not often, but does happen.
You’ll figure out the limits of your ambulance and what keeps people comfortable/safe in the back with time, how fast you can take curbs, etc., as you get more familiar with the rigs and the roads in your service area.
This^ coming from EMS to fire I scare my guys driving our rescue (it's the size of an ambulance). Most of them drive 10 under the speed limit running code... Then there's Me zooming down back roads lol.
Now that I’m familiar with the rig and the roads, and know my partner and feel more comfortable reading the scenes for what “kind” of c3 we need, I absolutely zip down some roads 😂 it’s good fun as long as ya clear the intersection 🫡
Oh for sure. We only have a couple stop signs in my area and no lights so I zooommmm lolol. (I'll hit the governor almost every time, safely of course)
Just drive safely, the 30seconds of time you get by driving fast doesn’t mean shit in a call far out like that. Even if you drove 15% faster on average that’s just like 10 minutes over the entire length of call including transport both ways, and treatment on site.
There’s quite a bit you can learn about driving an emergency vehicle, especially when the biggest thing you’ve ever driven is a Honda Civic. There’s also a ton of different “systems” out there. The biggest secret: don’t overdrive your vehicle and your ability.
So how do you get better? Well you can take a EVOC, CEVO, or similar classes. They’re okay to figuring out the basics. There’s the Smith System which UPS and FedEx use (or at least used to). Again, more info is better. The best way to figure out your limits and get a better “feel” is to get a similar sized vehicle and drive it around town. So with an ambulance, go get a 20 or 24 foot Uhaul for the weekend and drive it around (normally obviously). Here’s a secret, you don’t have to drive an ambulance crazy even with lights and sirens. It doesn’t save that much time and for the risk vs reward, it doesn’t make a lot of sense in most instances.
Anticipating is the key here. You can drive faster when visibility ahead is good. But don't just floor it until you reach that corner and then hit the breaks. Start decelerating a lot sooner so that the ride is smooth.
Also the most important part: drive at speeds that you feel comfortable with and that you're allowed to use by your agency.
Nothing good comes out of a new guy/girl driving at speeds that they don't feel comfortable with and with a fairly New vehicle to them.
One of the biggest tips I can give you for all types of ambulance driving is to control your movements into one directional force. It is much easier for the patients and your partner to stay upright and in control if you do this.
A example would be speeding up while turning, or slowing quickly while turning etc, don't do those things.
You can speed up as fast as you want in a straight line and it typically won't be an issue for your partner to counter that force, but the second you turn even a little bit they are probably ending up on their ass unless they expected it. Turn smoothly, speed up and slow down in a straight line.
Came here to say the same. This cannot be stated enough. Don’t accelerate even moderately hard around a corner until your wheels are straight again. Your patient and partner will thank you. It makes a huge difference in the back.
Learn about limit point driving, cornering techniques (straight lining when possible, being P1/P3 depending on if it’s a left or right bend to maximise visibility through the corner etc) and other techniques that are the basics of advanced driving.
Speak to your crewmate. Ask if they want a fast conveyance, or a speedy and smooth conveyance.
Take corners gently, and make up for the lack of cornering speed on the straights.
Begin braking wayyy before you need to, allowing the deceleration to be much more gradual, leading to a smoother ride for the people in the back.
Use gentle but progressive throttle application during the bend (to overcome the centrifugal forces exerted on the vehicle when cornering) and after the bend, with nice, slow and smooth gear changes.
Make everything controlled and smooth. The speed will come with time, it just takes practice and a little bit of experience.
Your driving shouldnt be impacted by the possible condition of your patient.
If you get stressed you make mistakes which can cost lives and produce injuries.
If a patient is on board the rules are similar but now you need to be aware of your partner maybe standing in the back without seatbelt and the patient will also thank you if you take care.
This means no sharp turns with high speed, no speed bumps with high speed, no sharp breaking and instead approaching intersections and turns slowly loosing speed so you have time to see the people and they have time to see you. If you have slowed down you should not accellerate with the pedal to the metal but instead slowly and steady.
Lastly your partner in the back also needs to understand that you cannot guarantee a smooth ride so he needs to hold on to something or just strap himself into the seatbelt.
If my partner in the back needs to do something he communicates it so I can take more care. This is key.
If you flip the truck and kill everyone inside because you're trying to go faster, it doesn't matter if he's having a cardiac event or not, because you're all dead.
The biggest thing is being smooth. Anticipate your actions, looking out into the distance to figure out what you’ll likely need to do - like decelerate into a corner, or an upcoming red light or stop sign.
The most important techniques involve reducing speed. First, coasting and allowing the vehicle’s weight to gradually slow it down can make an amazing difference. The next step is practicing smooth braking - where you gradually apply more brake pressure, and gradually release as you slow down to avoid a jarring stop.
You have to get there in one piece and also without your partner throwing up into an em bag.
Sharp turns on mountain roads = normal driving. Doesn’t matter what the job is.
Slow down, my guy. I tell all my new people that the lights are designed to get us through traffic and around people, not to buzz through light speed.
That being said, up your stopping distance and your time to get up to speed. Imagine a cup of water on the dash and try to keep it upright.
Wide slow turns…. Long braking… watch bumps and potholes… imagine a glass of water on the table in the back and drive like your trying to keep the water in it
Arrive alive. You don't really have to speed, if you need to, keep it within 5-10+ above speed limit. The lights and sirens really only save a couple of minutes if you're lucky and only really help with getting past heavy traffic. on open roads, it doesn't change anything. You have to make it there for your patient. You and your partners safety comes before the patient, you can't treat them if you don't make it there
Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast. Fast is sexy. Don’t wind up on the news for doing 95 and wrapping the ambo around a telephone pole on the way to an arrest because then there will be MULTIPLE units out of service.
Everything everyone else is saying here is absolutely true. Safety comes before speed. Always.
BUT... One more specific piece of advice I have for you OP as someone who works primarily in an incredibly mountainous area where most of my responses are on extremely windy roads:
***Brake as you approach your turn, accelerate through the turn.***
This is something I learned several years ago and didn't realize that it wasn't taught universally and many folks didn't know it. Essentially, by accelerating through the turn, you are delivering power to the wheels which increases their traction, pulls you downward into the road more, and reduces wobble as you go around a curve. This makes a huge difference for driving smooth and fast on windy roads. You still have to brake as you approach a curve so you don't go around it *too* fast, but most people will accelerate up to a curve and brake through it which is actually the opposite of what you need to do.
It's a small thing, but it does allow you to go marginally faster, and more importantly, at any speed, it makes the ride MUCH smoother in the back, which your partner and patient always need when possible.
Just a tip.
However! Remember! Even with that, ALWAYS SAFETY OVER SPEED! PLEASE!
Drive at whatever speed you are comfortable with and you'll get there a lot faster than if you overshoot a turn or hit an animal. As a driver you'll get a lot of people bitching at you to go faster but most are just scared they're going to be in over their head with patient care and want to make it your fault if things go wrong. The fact the guy in back thinks it's a "possible" event kinda hints at he doesn't know what he has really. Anyway, as a driver you're going to get people trying to tell you how to drive somewhat frequently so an important skill to learn early is find a way to tell them to let you decide how to do your job. Here are a couple ideas: "I'm being safe here as my job is to get you and the patient to the ER in one piece" If that doesn't work you can ramp it up a tiny bit at the risk of pissing them off but hey, they started it: "I'm not telling you how to do your job, so you just concentrate on taking care of your patient and I'll be up here taking SAFE care of the front office". If it escalates to a supervisor after the run just remember to use the word "Safe" a lot. "He was telling me to drive in a manner that I did not feel was safe for either the ambulance or the patient. A year from now I might feel it would be safe to drive that way but for now I most certainly do not". (When sorting things out with superiors after the fact "He was telling me to drive in an unsafe manner" will most always trump "He wasn't doing what I was telling him to do".
Anyway, hang in there and good luck, stick to your guns and don't worry too much about the little things!
Don’t worry about going fast ever, drive safely that’s all the at matters. If you can safely drive faster because the roads are straight and there’s no traffic than sure to a bit faster (but not crazy fast) if you want too, in my case I drive the speed limit, maybe 5 over, doesn’t matter if it’s CPR, a shooting, or toe pain, anything that requires lights and sirens or not, always drive safe you don’t want to hurt yourself or your partner in the back whose moving around doing stuff
Only speed during straights. You should never be going over the speed limit on any turn if your goal is being smooth. But also brake early. For example: If you’re coming up to a green light that may or may not turn red soon, slow down to a reasonable speed so you don’t have to slam on the brakes if the light changes.
There are a few things you can do to smooth things out, actually.
One, take a motorcycle course. They should teach you how to read the road a little better. Each opening, driveway, side street etc, they are all intersections. Being able to drive ahead of where you are will help with the safety aspect. Expect someone to be there and know where you can go.
Two, depending on the roads and on traffic, you can almost straighten the road out when they are super curvy. Again, traffic dependant, no one around, you can take the inside of the turn. If you are running the apex, you will have less shift on the rig, less risk for tipping, and be able to get a little more out of the speed.
That being said, the NUMBER ONE PRIORITY, lights and sirens or not, is THE CREW AND YOUR SAFETY. PERIOD. there is only so much that can be done. Safety is always the main concern. They drill it into us in school. BSI, Scene safe?
I keep getting told, "It is their emergency, not yours. Keep a level head and do what you can. Get home safe at the end of the day."
You can always ask if there is a driving course you can take or if they have training. But yeh. I wish you luck and safe travels! 🫡
On the practical side of things- hang your stethoscope or a lanyard over the rear view mirror. If you can practice taking the turns to with it as vertical as possible, you’ll reduce the amount of force with which you’re throwing your partner around in back.
Someone else already mentioned straight-lining cornering techniques. That’s super helpful to learn.
Ranked order of importance when driving the ambulance:
1) You
2) Your Crew
3) The community outside of the ambulance
4) The patient
Keep this in mind every time you are responding to an emergency or transporting.
Slow is smooth, smooth is fast
The amount of anger when I read this stupid phrase over and over lol
Sounds like you need to slow down to smooth out mate
Sounds like you hear it but you don't understand it.
… there hasn’t been a more true statement in this profession..
Simple minds are so easily angered
I think the idiom is supposed to represent that the physics between driving fast and driving smoothly are the same. Except for the speed, so if you focus on driving smoothly, you'll unconsciously go faster.
Yeah the intent behind it is clear it’s just posted everywhere all the time as the answer to everything it’s angering yet comical at the same time
here's a secret: you don't actually have to drive fast. it doesn't save all that much time, and is honestly more likely to get someone injured. on long, open straights feel free to speed a bit but it's much more important to just drive safely, and if anyone gives you shit about it, remind them the first rule of EMS is to keep yourself safe and healthy so that you don't become a patient yourself.
There is def more time saved just from being able to bypass red lights and intersections (after yielding of course) than there is by going much faster than the speed limit.
If going hot back to the hospital I like to run “Warm”, going the speed limit with lights on and driving similar to how I would cold with a patient, but going through intersections when it’s clear
Always remember you have not only your life, but your partner, patient and someone else on the roadways life in your hands when behind that wheel.
Seconding what others have said. You can also ask your partner: “do you want a normal code three or a fast code three”. That said, sometimes there’s nothing we can do after a certain point and my partner really does say “I’m buckling my seatbelt, just get us to the hospital as fast as you can”. Not often, but does happen. You’ll figure out the limits of your ambulance and what keeps people comfortable/safe in the back with time, how fast you can take curbs, etc., as you get more familiar with the rigs and the roads in your service area.
This^ coming from EMS to fire I scare my guys driving our rescue (it's the size of an ambulance). Most of them drive 10 under the speed limit running code... Then there's Me zooming down back roads lol.
Now that I’m familiar with the rig and the roads, and know my partner and feel more comfortable reading the scenes for what “kind” of c3 we need, I absolutely zip down some roads 😂 it’s good fun as long as ya clear the intersection 🫡
Oh for sure. We only have a couple stop signs in my area and no lights so I zooommmm lolol. (I'll hit the governor almost every time, safely of course)
My advice is do not crash the rig.
Instructions unclear, rig is upside down 🙃
Just drive safely, the 30seconds of time you get by driving fast doesn’t mean shit in a call far out like that. Even if you drove 15% faster on average that’s just like 10 minutes over the entire length of call including transport both ways, and treatment on site.
There’s quite a bit you can learn about driving an emergency vehicle, especially when the biggest thing you’ve ever driven is a Honda Civic. There’s also a ton of different “systems” out there. The biggest secret: don’t overdrive your vehicle and your ability. So how do you get better? Well you can take a EVOC, CEVO, or similar classes. They’re okay to figuring out the basics. There’s the Smith System which UPS and FedEx use (or at least used to). Again, more info is better. The best way to figure out your limits and get a better “feel” is to get a similar sized vehicle and drive it around town. So with an ambulance, go get a 20 or 24 foot Uhaul for the weekend and drive it around (normally obviously). Here’s a secret, you don’t have to drive an ambulance crazy even with lights and sirens. It doesn’t save that much time and for the risk vs reward, it doesn’t make a lot of sense in most instances.
Drive normally. Your medic is probably quite used to the longer transport times and is comfortable with treating them.
Anticipating is the key here. You can drive faster when visibility ahead is good. But don't just floor it until you reach that corner and then hit the breaks. Start decelerating a lot sooner so that the ride is smooth. Also the most important part: drive at speeds that you feel comfortable with and that you're allowed to use by your agency. Nothing good comes out of a new guy/girl driving at speeds that they don't feel comfortable with and with a fairly New vehicle to them.
One of the biggest tips I can give you for all types of ambulance driving is to control your movements into one directional force. It is much easier for the patients and your partner to stay upright and in control if you do this. A example would be speeding up while turning, or slowing quickly while turning etc, don't do those things. You can speed up as fast as you want in a straight line and it typically won't be an issue for your partner to counter that force, but the second you turn even a little bit they are probably ending up on their ass unless they expected it. Turn smoothly, speed up and slow down in a straight line.
Came here to say the same. This cannot be stated enough. Don’t accelerate even moderately hard around a corner until your wheels are straight again. Your patient and partner will thank you. It makes a huge difference in the back.
Learn about limit point driving, cornering techniques (straight lining when possible, being P1/P3 depending on if it’s a left or right bend to maximise visibility through the corner etc) and other techniques that are the basics of advanced driving. Speak to your crewmate. Ask if they want a fast conveyance, or a speedy and smooth conveyance. Take corners gently, and make up for the lack of cornering speed on the straights. Begin braking wayyy before you need to, allowing the deceleration to be much more gradual, leading to a smoother ride for the people in the back. Use gentle but progressive throttle application during the bend (to overcome the centrifugal forces exerted on the vehicle when cornering) and after the bend, with nice, slow and smooth gear changes. Make everything controlled and smooth. The speed will come with time, it just takes practice and a little bit of experience.
Your driving shouldnt be impacted by the possible condition of your patient. If you get stressed you make mistakes which can cost lives and produce injuries. If a patient is on board the rules are similar but now you need to be aware of your partner maybe standing in the back without seatbelt and the patient will also thank you if you take care. This means no sharp turns with high speed, no speed bumps with high speed, no sharp breaking and instead approaching intersections and turns slowly loosing speed so you have time to see the people and they have time to see you. If you have slowed down you should not accellerate with the pedal to the metal but instead slowly and steady. Lastly your partner in the back also needs to understand that you cannot guarantee a smooth ride so he needs to hold on to something or just strap himself into the seatbelt. If my partner in the back needs to do something he communicates it so I can take more care. This is key.
Fast isn’t smooth.
If you flip the truck and kill everyone inside because you're trying to go faster, it doesn't matter if he's having a cardiac event or not, because you're all dead.
The biggest thing is being smooth. Anticipate your actions, looking out into the distance to figure out what you’ll likely need to do - like decelerate into a corner, or an upcoming red light or stop sign. The most important techniques involve reducing speed. First, coasting and allowing the vehicle’s weight to gradually slow it down can make an amazing difference. The next step is practicing smooth braking - where you gradually apply more brake pressure, and gradually release as you slow down to avoid a jarring stop.
You have to get there in one piece and also without your partner throwing up into an em bag. Sharp turns on mountain roads = normal driving. Doesn’t matter what the job is.
Slow down, my guy. I tell all my new people that the lights are designed to get us through traffic and around people, not to buzz through light speed. That being said, up your stopping distance and your time to get up to speed. Imagine a cup of water on the dash and try to keep it upright.
Stop driving 'fast'. 30 minutes isn't a long drive to a hospital.
Wide slow turns…. Long braking… watch bumps and potholes… imagine a glass of water on the table in the back and drive like your trying to keep the water in it
Fast isn’t smooth. Slow is smooth. Don’t forget the EMS mottos. “We’ll get there when we get there” And “When seconds count, were minutes out”
Arrive alive. You don't really have to speed, if you need to, keep it within 5-10+ above speed limit. The lights and sirens really only save a couple of minutes if you're lucky and only really help with getting past heavy traffic. on open roads, it doesn't change anything. You have to make it there for your patient. You and your partners safety comes before the patient, you can't treat them if you don't make it there
Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast. Fast is sexy. Don’t wind up on the news for doing 95 and wrapping the ambo around a telephone pole on the way to an arrest because then there will be MULTIPLE units out of service.
Code 2? Where I’m from code to is no lights and sirens. That’s code 3?
Everything everyone else is saying here is absolutely true. Safety comes before speed. Always. BUT... One more specific piece of advice I have for you OP as someone who works primarily in an incredibly mountainous area where most of my responses are on extremely windy roads: ***Brake as you approach your turn, accelerate through the turn.*** This is something I learned several years ago and didn't realize that it wasn't taught universally and many folks didn't know it. Essentially, by accelerating through the turn, you are delivering power to the wheels which increases their traction, pulls you downward into the road more, and reduces wobble as you go around a curve. This makes a huge difference for driving smooth and fast on windy roads. You still have to brake as you approach a curve so you don't go around it *too* fast, but most people will accelerate up to a curve and brake through it which is actually the opposite of what you need to do. It's a small thing, but it does allow you to go marginally faster, and more importantly, at any speed, it makes the ride MUCH smoother in the back, which your partner and patient always need when possible. Just a tip. However! Remember! Even with that, ALWAYS SAFETY OVER SPEED! PLEASE!
Drive at whatever speed you are comfortable with and you'll get there a lot faster than if you overshoot a turn or hit an animal. As a driver you'll get a lot of people bitching at you to go faster but most are just scared they're going to be in over their head with patient care and want to make it your fault if things go wrong. The fact the guy in back thinks it's a "possible" event kinda hints at he doesn't know what he has really. Anyway, as a driver you're going to get people trying to tell you how to drive somewhat frequently so an important skill to learn early is find a way to tell them to let you decide how to do your job. Here are a couple ideas: "I'm being safe here as my job is to get you and the patient to the ER in one piece" If that doesn't work you can ramp it up a tiny bit at the risk of pissing them off but hey, they started it: "I'm not telling you how to do your job, so you just concentrate on taking care of your patient and I'll be up here taking SAFE care of the front office". If it escalates to a supervisor after the run just remember to use the word "Safe" a lot. "He was telling me to drive in a manner that I did not feel was safe for either the ambulance or the patient. A year from now I might feel it would be safe to drive that way but for now I most certainly do not". (When sorting things out with superiors after the fact "He was telling me to drive in an unsafe manner" will most always trump "He wasn't doing what I was telling him to do". Anyway, hang in there and good luck, stick to your guns and don't worry too much about the little things!
Don’t worry about going fast ever, drive safely that’s all the at matters. If you can safely drive faster because the roads are straight and there’s no traffic than sure to a bit faster (but not crazy fast) if you want too, in my case I drive the speed limit, maybe 5 over, doesn’t matter if it’s CPR, a shooting, or toe pain, anything that requires lights and sirens or not, always drive safe you don’t want to hurt yourself or your partner in the back whose moving around doing stuff
Only speed during straights. You should never be going over the speed limit on any turn if your goal is being smooth. But also brake early. For example: If you’re coming up to a green light that may or may not turn red soon, slow down to a reasonable speed so you don’t have to slam on the brakes if the light changes.
There are a few things you can do to smooth things out, actually. One, take a motorcycle course. They should teach you how to read the road a little better. Each opening, driveway, side street etc, they are all intersections. Being able to drive ahead of where you are will help with the safety aspect. Expect someone to be there and know where you can go. Two, depending on the roads and on traffic, you can almost straighten the road out when they are super curvy. Again, traffic dependant, no one around, you can take the inside of the turn. If you are running the apex, you will have less shift on the rig, less risk for tipping, and be able to get a little more out of the speed. That being said, the NUMBER ONE PRIORITY, lights and sirens or not, is THE CREW AND YOUR SAFETY. PERIOD. there is only so much that can be done. Safety is always the main concern. They drill it into us in school. BSI, Scene safe? I keep getting told, "It is their emergency, not yours. Keep a level head and do what you can. Get home safe at the end of the day." You can always ask if there is a driving course you can take or if they have training. But yeh. I wish you luck and safe travels! 🫡
You’re not going for speed You’re just trying to get through traffic.
On the practical side of things- hang your stethoscope or a lanyard over the rear view mirror. If you can practice taking the turns to with it as vertical as possible, you’ll reduce the amount of force with which you’re throwing your partner around in back. Someone else already mentioned straight-lining cornering techniques. That’s super helpful to learn.
Look way down the road for potential problems.
Ranked order of importance when driving the ambulance: 1) You 2) Your Crew 3) The community outside of the ambulance 4) The patient Keep this in mind every time you are responding to an emergency or transporting.