International Paramedics Day is a global celebration of the remarkable contributions that paramedics make every day. Whether in an ambulance, emergency scene, or disaster zone, paramedics have an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of their patients, families, and communities.
On this special day, we want to honour and thank all the paramedics around the world who have continued to work tirelessly. We also want to highlight the exceptional work of twelve incredible paramedics who are part of the World Extreme Medicine faculty who continue to go above and beyond in providing care and support in some of the most challenging and extreme environments.
Join us in celebrating all paramedics, colleagues, and students who make a vital difference in the lives of so many people.
Ben Lyon
Royal Marine Commando Paramedic
“After spending 3 years as Combat Medic with the Royal Marines I wanted to push my medical knowledge and skills further. As the Marines didn’t offer a paramedic course at the time I took a year off from work and attended Birmingham City University and went back to full time service in 2022.”
What is the one thing you love about being a paramedic?
I love being able to pass on my experience and knowledge as a remote and austere medical professional.
What would you say to someone who is considering a career as a paramedic?
Absolutely go for it, the Paramedic profession is no longer just about being in an ambulance. Paramedics are now practising all around the world from Norway to Belize, we have a role to play on any expedition or wilderness setting.
Ben Watts
Advanced Retrieval Practitioner
“I was a whitewater raft guide, beach lifeguard and outdoor instructor. I became a paramedic so I could maintain an expedition lifestyle whilst also working in mainstream health care.”
What is the one thing you love about being a paramedic?
I love the variation of work, the flying around beautiful Scotland, the ability to share knowledge and experiences with students, WEM participants, and learning from the other incredible faculty!
What would you say to someone who is considering a career as a paramedic?
Being a paramedic is rewarding, but it is also a responsibility. It can take its toll on the individual and your family, and undertaking adventure medicine can help maintain balance in life.
Charlie Jones
Tactical Response Unit Paramedic
“I’m an ex RAF Officer & was a member of RAF Mountain Rescue and a Military Co-Responder. Both of which fuelled my interest in the pre hospital world, completed BSc (Hons) at the University of Bradford to become a Paramedic! From there worked as a lecturer in Paramedic Science and worked for YAS, joined HART/SORT for SAS, before moving to LAS. Completed the PGDip in Extreme Medicine. Completed expeditions in the desert, the Andes, and other warm climates. Worked with various refugee NGOs across the Mediterranean and Greece.”
What is the one thing you love about being a paramedic?
The fact I’m always learning.
What would you say to someone who is considering a career as a paramedic?
Ask questions and get involved in the conversations/space that interests you!
Clare Fitchett
Specialist Paramedic (Critical Care) and trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Emergency Medicine
“I started my career in the military and trained as a paramedic when I left the regular military aged 30. I trained with south central ambulance service and then moved into critical care in 2018. I’ve been lucky to have also been involved in expedition medicine during this time including trips to the Amazon and Iceland as a medic.”
What is the one thing you love about being a paramedic?
The range of opportunities I’ve been lucky enough to have!
What would you say to someone who is considering a career as a paramedic?
Absolutely go for it. Say YES to every opportunity – you never know where it will lead…do something you are passionate about – life is too short!
Dave Gregory
Paramedic
“I served for 12 years in the RAF Regiment partly as a team medic. On leaving I applied to the NHS but was initially unsuccessful but became a Community First Responder. I reapplied in 2009 and successfully joined EEAST as a student paramedic on 09/09/09! My first real encounter with extreme medicine was after doing an expedition medic course in 2014 was a trip to EBC as the medic where one of our porters came down with HAPE and needed to be seen at Pheriche. He was fine but rested there and collected him on our way back down. This was the start of what I now love to do and be involved in. I cover a lot of ultra marathons, multi day multi sport events and get away as and when I can.”
What is the one thing you love about being a paramedic?
The diversity of the job has to be the biggest thing. You never know what each day will bring you. This is even more so in an expedition or remote setting. The ability to use your knowledge in an environment with limited resources and still get the job done is quite important, adapting and improvising things you wouldn’t normally use in a hospital/ ambulance setting to get the same or ‘at best’ outcome can be very challenging…Bring it on!
What would you say to someone who is considering a career as a paramedic?
Do it! It depends what you want out of it and what you put into it. If you like doing the standard ambulance shifts… great! if not, there are other things you can branch out into, HART/ SORT, HEMS, SARH, offshore and of course expeditions and events.
Donna Finnis
Paramedic
“I have a background in dentistry, ski teaching and lowland search and rescue. Working in the outdoor environment inspired me to re-train in paramedicine and I’ve never looked back.”
What is the one thing you love about being a paramedic?
I love the variety of skills required to fulfil my role, enhancing those skills to facilitate working in more remote and austere environments and sharing my experiences through teaching.
What would you say to someone who is considering a career as a paramedic?
There are a broad range of opportunities away from the frontline, some real adventures, just do it!
Ella du Breuil
Paramedic
“I have been a RNLI crew member for 21 years. After working in Antarctica I decided to become a paramedic to do expeditions as a medic. I then fell into the humanitarian sector and haven’t looked back since”
What is the one thing you love about being a paramedic?
I love the variety and the privilege of being able to help people at possibly one of the worst moments of their lives.
What would you say to someone who is considering a career as a paramedic?
Go for it. Realise that it is hard work but it is a privilege and immensely rewarding.
Jamie Pattison
SAR Winch Paramedic
“I started out my journey as a kid- inspired by my Mum who is a Nurse. Medicine always interested me and I always wanted to be out in the Mountains and Sea. I joined Mountain Rescue, becoming a casualty carer to start with, and from there realised my passion for pre-hospital care and Paramedicine. I joined the Ambulance service from there and it took a few years and a few attempts for me to get onto a paramedic course with the NHS ambulance service. Once I qualified, I never looked back and I know I am in my dream trade.”
What is the one thing you love about being a paramedic?
I love having the technical, medical and human skills to be able to be a paramedic for anyone in any situation. Being able to arrive at any situation and knowing how to get the best outcome and solving those problems is a huge driver for me.
What would you say to someone who is considering a career as a paramedic?
Being a Paramedic is ultimately a trade and one which is constantly developing. It has taken me all over the world; it is a special fraternity, you’re used to having limited resources and this translates so well into adventure medicine. Everything I have and constantly learn makes me ready to face making autonomous decisions and implementing plans quickly. Never stop learning, never stop pushing yourself.
Jim Walmsley
Paramedic
“I Started out as an EMT following working in the outdoors and offshore rope access industries. Have specialised in ore-hospital critical care over the last 10: working across both the pioneering paramedic led critical care programme with SECAmb & with the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance charity.”
What is the one thing you love about being a paramedic?
I love the sheer variety of workload and the ability to work closely with fellow colleagues across a range of services including ambulance, fire rescue, police & specialists like SAR.
What would you say to someone who is considering a career as a paramedic?
Opportunities and variation of the role is now bigger and more diverse than ever before. If you’re not one for the hum-drum: go for it!
Luca Alfatti
Advanced Paramedic
“I spent over 15 years working and travelling all over the world as an expedition leader before becoming a paramedic. So, I see extreme environments with a leader eye first and a medic after, which I believe gives me a good rounded approach to risk and medical management”
What is the one thing you love about being a paramedic?
No day is the same. I love working in the community i live in and I feel I often make a real difference in people’s lives. This opportunity to keep my clinical skills current at home, helps me greatly when faced with medical challenges in the extreme environments I operate on.
What would you say to someone who is considering a career as a paramedic?
Just go for it. True: it is not for everyone. True: it will be a long, hard slog. However, when you are doing what you love every day, it never feels like work. Be realistic and set expectations.
Scott King
Specialist Paramedic Instructor
“A lifelong career in the ambulance service progressing from community responder to regional manager, motorcycle and HART Paramedic. Developed instructor skills by working with a charity teaching PHTLS which led me into teacher training and delivering trauma training to military medics whilst still working clinically.”
What is the one thing you love about being a paramedic?
Variety, opportunity and scope. No job or day is the same. The opportunities to carve or make your own new experiences from the roads of the UK to dirt tracks of Africa. The professional autonomy, scope and privileged freedoms available to you in your own practice.
What would you say to someone who is considering a career as a paramedic?
The path to becoming a paramedic is only a very small part, proving competency to qualify may come easy it may be unnaturally challenging. Being the right person, with the right qualities and attributes is far more meaningful to the people you will work with and care for. Go for it! And be the very best version of yourself.
Will Smith
MD, Paramedic, FAEMS President/Medical Director, Wilderness & Emergency Medicine Consulting (WEMC)
“I took an EMT course my senior year of high school and then went onto Paramedic school when I didn’t get into medical school the first year I applied. Having both Paramedic and Physician credentials and training had augmented each very well! Now I’m able to practice in and out of the hospital as an EMS Physician!”
What is the one thing you love about being a paramedic?
The challenge of the next call or incident. There are so many variables, from location to patient type to resources available, you have to be able to adapt, think, and overcome to help someone in need.
What would you say to someone who is considering a career as a paramedic?
Just do it! Like the Wilderness Medical Society is fond of saying ‘Combine your Profession with your Passion’.
Thank you to Ben L, Ben W, Charlie, Clare, Dave, Donna, Ella, Jamie, Jim, Luca, Scott, Will and all the paramedics around the world for your work – we salute you!