Why You’ll Rarely See a Veteran Paramedic Run / Torch EMS Insights
- Raymond Torch
- Jan 23
- 3 min read
If you’ve ever watched a veteran medic walk—not run—to a high-acuity call, you might have mistaken it for indifference. To a student or a new grad, it feels counterintuitive. In an emergency, every second counts, right? Why wouldn't we be sprinting?
The truth is, that steady walk isn't a lack of urgency; it’s a lesson often learned "through the feet." At Torch EMS, we believe that how you arrive at the patient's side dictates the entire call.
Here is why "slow is smooth, and smooth is fast."
1. The Biological Tax: Protecting Your Fine Motor Skills
When you sprint toward a scene, your heart rate spikes instantly. As an EMS professional, your hands are your most valuable tools. A heart rate pushed into the "red zone" by physical exertion leads to a loss of fine motor skills.
Think about it: Do you want to be trying to start a difficult IV or draw up a precise cardiac medication while your hands are shaking and you're gasping for air? Arriving with a controlled heart rate ensures you can actually perform the life-saving skills you were trained to do.
2. Defeating "Tunnel Vision"
Running triggers a massive "Fight or Flight" response in your brain. While this is great for escaping a predator, it’s terrible for clinical medicine. It causes cognitive narrowing, also known as tunnel vision.
When you run, your brain focuses on the loudest, bloodiest, or most obvious thing. You might see the leg fracture but miss the airway obstruction. By walking briskly, you allow your brain to stay in a "scanning" mode, maintaining situational awareness and ensuring you don't skip vital steps in your systematic assessment.
3. Professionalism is Contagious
The moment you step out of the ambulance, the patient and their family are looking at you to see how they should feel.
Running signals panic. If you look like you’re losing control, they will lose control too.
Walking with purpose signals authority. A brisk, steady pace tells the room: "I have arrived, I am in control, and I know exactly what to do."
Our job is to bring the "calm" to the "chaos." You cannot project calm if you arrive out of breath and frantic.
4. Scene Safety is Paramount
It’s a cliché because it’s true: you can't help the patient if you become a patient. Running with heavy equipment, monitors, and bags is a recipe for a trip-and-fall. Walking briskly allows you to scan the ground for hazards, identify exits, and note the location of bystanders.
The Bottom Line
Forget what you see on TV. Real-life paramedicine isn't about the sprint; it’s about the effective arrival.
As you prepare for your AEMCA or head out on your first preceptorship shifts, remember: Arriving collected and composed is always superior to arriving fast and confused. Control the call—don't let the call control you.
Preparing for the AEMCA? Join our upcoming prep course this May at Torch EMS to master not just the skills, but the mindset of a veteran medic.
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For a limited time, we are offering an Early Access Founders Pass for just $9.80.
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