A teenage boy lies on the pavement, bleeding to death 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 London Ambulance Paramedic Lysa Walder, these and thousands of other emergency callouts are part of a day's work: scenes of tragedy, loss and horror - but also stories of triumph and humour, and all the result of an urgent 999 call to the biggest and busiest free ambulance service in the world.Lysa has been an A&E nurse and paramedic for over 15 years. Here, she tells the inside story behind the screaming sirens and flashing blue lights of the emergency services and reveals what it's really like to work in a job that frequently brings paramedic teams face to face with death - and destiny.'When we turn up, whatever the job is, we're trained to handle it. If it's really bad, there's no time to feel useless or helpless - you're too busy. Only afterwards, when you walk away, you think, "Maybe we made a difference." And sometimes you do save a life - or at least kept someone ticking over until we get them to a doctor.'
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
'999' Wow! What a great read this was!
Having read pretty well every book written in the last decade on life in all areas of the UK ambulance service I approached Lysa Walder's offering with an open-mind but, to be honest, with relatively low expectations. Was I in for a great surprise! From the first chapter I was bowled over by '999'. Its insights into the realities of front-line ambulance work are effective and illuminating but not overly-dramatized. This is no 'Casualty' rip-off as it frequently includes the often-loose ends and unsatisfying outcomes that every Paramedic reluctantly leave behind them at the end of many of their shifts. Not every patient is saved and not every incident goes perfectly. This is, after all, real life. Lysa herself comes across as a no-nonsense, caring and highly-skilled paramedic and every incident she recounts builds up the reader's understanding of exactly what it is that Paramedics and EMT's actually do during their demanding 12 hour shifts. Next time you see them crouching over a collapsed patient in a supermarket you'll have a far better understanding of exactly what it is they're doing with that strange-looking see-through bag and you may even understand why they seem to be punching an unconscious old man in the chest!
But the main reason I'd recommend this excellent and heart-warming book to any member of the public fascinated by the gritty reality of life on the front-line of the ambulance service is that Lysa achieves something here far more important than merely presenting a string of interesting and/or touching anecdotes. Instead she actually educates the reader on a variety of basic first-aid procedures and facts that most non-medics rarely even think about but which, in reality, we'd all be far better off for knowing!... Read more ›
Having read pretty well every book written in the last decade on life in all areas of the UK ambulance service I approached Lysa Walder's offering with an open-mind but, to be honest, with relatively low expectations. Was I in for a great surprise! From the first chapter I was bowled over by '999'. Its insights into the realities of front-line ambulance work are effective and illuminating but not overly-dramatized. This is no 'Casualty' rip-off as it frequently includes the often-loose ends and unsatisfying outcomes that every Paramedic reluctantly leave behind them at the end of many of their shifts. Not every patient is saved and not every incident goes perfectly. This is, after all, real life. Lysa herself comes across as a no-nonsense, caring and highly-skilled paramedic and every incident she recounts builds up the reader's understanding of exactly what it is that Paramedics and EMT's actually do during their demanding 12 hour shifts. Next time you see them crouching over a collapsed patient in a supermarket you'll have a far better understanding of exactly what it is they're doing with that strange-looking see-through bag and you may even understand why they seem to be punching an unconscious old man in the chest!
But the main reason I'd recommend this excellent and heart-warming book to any member of the public fascinated by the gritty reality of life on the front-line of the ambulance service is that Lysa achieves something here far more important than merely presenting a string of interesting and/or touching anecdotes. Instead she actually educates the reader on a variety of basic first-aid procedures and facts that most non-medics rarely even think about but which, in reality, we'd all be far better off for knowing!... Read more ›
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am an avid reader of first chapters. The reason being is that I find it very difficult to find a book that keeps me wanting more. As a reader, I'm pretty petulant. My view is that life is too short to waste on something that doesn't get me interested and entertained from the start.
That being said, I'm delighted to report that I read `999 - True Stories of My Life as a Paramedic' from cover to cover. The insight into the ambulance service and the role of a paramedic that it offers is fascinating.
As an author myself and a member of the emergency services to boot, I know how difficult it can be to get over to an interested public the sheer variety of tasks that all the emergency services encounter, let alone give justice to the urgent vignettes of life that make up each and every call.
Lysa Walder, however, manages to pull it off perfectly. This isn't some TV drama, this is real life. The heartache, the fun, the gore, the confusion, the pandemonium, the danger, the pointlessness, the timewasters, the desperation, the sheer joy of saving someone's life - it's all here. Moreover, her writing style is such that I felt that I was there with Lysa on every job.
On the back of the book, Lysa asks the question that many of us ask, `Maybe we made a difference'. After reading this book, I can definitely say, Yes, I truly think you do. After fifteen years in the role, Lysa seems to have encountered just about every sort of situation the job can offer and how she has coped with everything life (and death) could fling at her, is inspirational. If I have a stroke, I know which paramedic I would want to turn up!
And finally, to any reader who is looking for an insight into a world that is hidden away from most of us, I would thoroughly recommend this book. Five stars without a doubt.
That being said, I'm delighted to report that I read `999 - True Stories of My Life as a Paramedic' from cover to cover. The insight into the ambulance service and the role of a paramedic that it offers is fascinating.
As an author myself and a member of the emergency services to boot, I know how difficult it can be to get over to an interested public the sheer variety of tasks that all the emergency services encounter, let alone give justice to the urgent vignettes of life that make up each and every call.
Lysa Walder, however, manages to pull it off perfectly. This isn't some TV drama, this is real life. The heartache, the fun, the gore, the confusion, the pandemonium, the danger, the pointlessness, the timewasters, the desperation, the sheer joy of saving someone's life - it's all here. Moreover, her writing style is such that I felt that I was there with Lysa on every job.
On the back of the book, Lysa asks the question that many of us ask, `Maybe we made a difference'. After reading this book, I can definitely say, Yes, I truly think you do. After fifteen years in the role, Lysa seems to have encountered just about every sort of situation the job can offer and how she has coped with everything life (and death) could fling at her, is inspirational. If I have a stroke, I know which paramedic I would want to turn up!
And finally, to any reader who is looking for an insight into a world that is hidden away from most of us, I would thoroughly recommend this book. Five stars without a doubt.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I enjoyed this book from start to finish.It is the kind of book that you don't want to put down and I didn't until I had read it!
Funny,sad and true to life. Really enjoyable and well written. An excellent read.
Funny,sad and true to life. Really enjoyable and well written. An excellent read.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Honeybee
Format:Paperback
Excellent book, I could not put this down once i started to read it.A real eye opener as to what these dedicated people have to encounter every day, things i never imagined like having to wear a stab vest and putting up with abuse.I think everyone should read it.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Rachael
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Just what you need in a good book, tears and laughter, thoroughly enjoyed it and couldn't put it down. Interesting to hear real life stories and understand the frustrations of the Ambulance Service.
All the increasing frequent flyers should read this and learn.
All the increasing frequent flyers should read this and learn.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Lysa Walder writes simply of her stories of life on the front line in the London Ambulance service. This book is not for the faint hearted. Nor is it for someone who is short of time. I spent a whole Saturday morning reading this book from cover to cover. I laughed and I cried. It makes for compelling reading; and paints a vivid, and not always pretty, picture of life in South London. However, I am sure you could take those stories and set them in any large town or city. Written with heart, Lysa's compassion and humour shine through. My only complaint? When I closed the book, I was left wanting more. I do hope she writes another book soon. **Highly recommended**
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
this book provides a brilliant insight into the world of emergancy medicine. great read couldnt put it down. took it to work for a night shift hoping to fill the time with it and was finished by 3am!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really good
I brought this book because i have always had an interest in the work of a paramedic and this did not let me down. Read more
Published on 28 July 2009 by Lisa
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Read
I loved this book it was a great read and once i started i could not put it down. I hate reading books but i am a student Paramedic and when i went on placement recently i was... Read more
Published on 27 May 2009 by Shabaz
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bitter-Sweet insight.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Lysa finds a way to combine both the tragic and humerous elements of a very tough job. Read more
Published on 8 Dec 2008 by K. P. Newton
3.0 out of 5 stars
Been said before
I bought this after reading the brilliant A Paramedic's Diary: Life and Death on the Streets by London paramedic Stuart Gray. Read more
Published on 24 Oct 2008 by susie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspirational
A truely inspirational book. It gives you a window into the world of pre-hospital care and the highs and lows that it involves. Read more
Published on 14 Oct 2008 by Emma Pooley
5.0 out of 5 stars
wow what a fantastic read
What a fantastic book, I just couldn't put it down, its so hard to imagine that a paramedic has so much to put up with, but also the enjoyment and satisfaction they get from their... Read more
Published on 11 Oct 2008 by M. Willis
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