ECA (Emergency Care Assistant) Driving Assessment PASSED!!!! 

Congratulations!!!!! You have every right to feel proud. It's an achievement the everyday commuter on the road will never know. You are now an advanced driver and in a lot of ways, a safer one when using your own car. Just because you will be able to judge dangers far ahead, more so than others. When you get to drive 'live' on blue lights, keep calm and go the speed YOU are going to be safe with. Don't let others make you speed up past a point you feel unsafe as they are not driving, you are. Remember it's your licence at the end of the day, not theirs. Its the most exciting part of the course I feel and when 'live' it's where the adrenaline kicks in, especially in the first few months. Stay safe and again a very big congrats!!!!

Thank you x it was some time ago now.

CONGRATS !!! I am so happy and excited for you. Let me know if you need any help. Where are you hoping to be based?

Freyja Joyner hi sorry not wednesday the 8th Tuesday!!!Derreford is where my training is. Ive been offered a post out of Dartmouth upon successfully completing everything x

Great going no matter when you start your training :) Go through each day slowly and always ask questions. Never be afraid to ask even if you think it sounds silly. There is no such thing as a silly question :) Let me know how you get on and keep in touch x

haha indeed. Thanks again for your input. I shall put another video up in about a weeks time just to cover the first week shifts. Take care and drive safe x

Hi Adam, thanks for your question. From memory (remember I have been away 14 months) I believe that the maximum speed over the speed limit is 15 mph, however, I have been a passenger when the speed has been much higher - especially when responding to a CAT1 child call. Personally, I have gone to the speed I have felt confident and competent with, and if that meant I go 80 miles an hour on a motorway whilst my colleagues can go in excess of 100 then you do what is safe for you. At the end of the day, you need to be safe, go the speed that the road and conditions allow, and be within the limits (but not directly on if time requires) that are set out in your blue light training. I would therefore strongly recommend that when you have the opportunity to speak to a driver trainer, this question is posed to them, as then you would have the legal and most up-to-date answer, and not from someone who has been away from emergency driving for some time. I hope that answers your question. If there are any other paras or ECAs out there, please do make your comments known as it would be interesting to hear other peoples opinions. :)

@@paramedstudy thank you so much for replying. I have to confess I've only just stumbled upon your channel, as I've recently started the journey to get my C1 and apply to be an ECA. I see now that you've had some time away, and I hope you're recovering well!

@@cornishman93 thank you :) congrats on starting your journey. Hope to welcome you aboard soon xxx

Thats exciting news! For me I thought it would be dead easy but I personally found it a little difficult as I am not normally a fast driver. However they are there to pass you, so any difficulties you may have, there is always a way to overcome and pass. Listen carefully to your instructor and ALWAYS check mirrors and look WAY ahead. The tests throughout the course are good too. Best of luck and let me know how you get on xx

Hello Freyja, thank you for your reply, very much appreciated.I will let you know how I get on.In the meantime best wishes for your career path.xx

xx best of luck !

Yes of course James. I'll try my best to answer your questions or at least sign post you in the right direction if I dont' know :)

Hi Zero, thanks for your question. In the past it was possible to do an Open University Foundation degree in Paramedic Science. Now they have changed it so that whilst working for SWAST an ECA can go on a training course for their degree. I believe that non ECA people would also need to do an actual degree in Paramedic science before being permitted to work. Waggies (below) may know. Either way, a degree will be required to be obtained in time and it appears to be easier now then it was a few years ago. Again, contact your local HR department as they will have the latest information about this. Best of luck x

Thank you for the reply Freyja, this has certainly cleared up my confusion! I never knew about the training courses to obtain a degree, I'll have to see if my local trust (South Central) also provide this. Many thanks again for your help, and best of luck out there!

Your very welcome. Let me know how you get on with ECA. I certainly believe thats a positive way in as it will allow you to confirm whether a Paramedic role will suite you.

Yeah I agree, it's definitely a good buildup into becoming a paramedic, especially for someone with no previous medical experience. I'm currently working for the NHS in an admin apprenticeship. Not really my thing, but should hopefully give me an advantage when I apply. Might look into volunteering for another ambulance service too in the meantime, not sure yet...

Anyone with a heart can achieve the goal of Paramedic I believe as long as they put the hours and work in. Being an ECA will give you a good insight into the ambulance work and the great thing about it is that you will be doing exactly the same as a Paramedic but just not the drugs or the overall responsibility. If after a year or two of ECA experience you feel you can go one step higher, then great go for it. Some ECAs have even applied earlier than that but most had medical back grounds. I think you need to have a good solid understanding and sound experience before going for Paramedic, so you know if that is right for you :) Only you are in charge of your destiny and dreams, so try and apply. Volunteering as a First Responder is a great way also. It allows them to see that you are serious about wanting to join the ambulance service and gives you a basic understanding of how the triage system works. There are points of contact for First Responders on all the main NHS ambulance websites. I did a few years of that while I waited and its given me confidence. Hope this (long) message helps. :)

If you click on 'About' me and then click on 'Message' you will be able to do it there I believe :)