I began my 4-week Global Medical Projects (GMP) student paramedic placement on the 11/1/19 in Guadalajara (Mexico) after an orientation to the hospitals, ambulance services and a few Spanish lessons. The first week I worked in the Green Cross (South) emergency department and conducted health status assessments, practiced IM injections and IV cannulations, administered medications and learnt how to suture under the supervision of the qualified nurses and doctors. There was a vast array of medical and traumatic patient presentations I experienced including: a deep tendon laceration from workplace equipment, a basal skull fractures from a physical assault, respiratory emergencies including acute exacerbation of asthma and more.
My second week I worked on the Green Cross (South) Ambulances alternating between 8-hour day and 12-hour night shifts. During my ambulance placement at Green Cross (South) ambulance service I worked under the supervision of paramedics and firefighters on a patient that had been ejected 30m from his car. The car was completely destroyed, and he was said to have been travelling 100km/h before the crash. I utilised key skills such as C-Spine immobilisation, appropriate extrication and then conducted a thorough head to toe and medical examinations on route to hospital. During a couple of night shifts we also attended gun shot victims that were deceased on the scene and confirmed death. At the Green Cross ED I also assisted the doctors and nurses in intubation and ventilation of a 1YOF with a head injury that began to have seizures and required sedation. I ventilated her from the Resus room to the major hospital under the doctors supervision.
During my third and fourth week on placement I worked between the Red Cross (North) Ambulance service and in a small rural Red Cross emergency department in Toluqilla (located outside Guadalajara, Mexico). During my time at Red Cross Toluqilla we had an imminent birth and I assisted in delivery of the baby, placenta and neonatal resuscitation. I also treated two factory workers that suffered facial burns in a confined space when a machine exploded while on shift. I assisted monitoring these patients and conducted the burns appropriate treatment before they were transported to a major hospital. On my final shift at Toluquila I also had a 30YOM with 18 stab wounds present while I was working. Part of his stab wounds included protruding abdominal contents and a sucking chest wound. Under the supervision in the resus team I assisted taking vital signs, the head to toe examination and interventions keeping him stable until he was transported to a major hospital.
I had an incredible experience during my 4-week paramedic student placement with GMP in Guadalajara, Mexico. Between the Red Cross, Green Cross ED and ambulance services as well as the Toluqilla ED I practised a lot of key skills and competencies from my own personal skillset in medical and traumatic emergencies. The hands on experience I received was invaluable and I feel has accelerated my understanding of critically injured and unwell patients.
It’s been several months now since my trip to Guadalajara, Mexico, which was an unbelievably life and career changing experience. Every day I still reflect upon my time in Guadalajara, the home of my paramedic opportunity. At first prior to my 4 week trip I was a little hesitant in making my way over. I stopped thinking about all the ‘cons’ and focussed on the ‘pros’ of such an amazing opportunity that I knew would benefit myself and my passion for the prehospital environment.
Whilst feeling a little hesitant without talking to my friends or family first, I expressed interest online. Within hours Kevin from Global Medical Project (GMP) contacted me despite the time difference between Australia and the UK as he wanted to connect with me at a time that suited me best. After a great in-depth conversation with Kevin I booked the dates for my project and the following day I booked my plane ticket to Guadalajara. Despite the fact it was going to be a long journey there, I knew it was all a part of the experience and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Months prior to departing Kevin and myself were frequently communicating with any questions or assistant in my preparation. I was also in contact and communicating with the coordinator of the project in Mexico (Ariel). With fluent English we were both able to communicate prior to arriving. When I arrived I was instantly greeted by a team member of GMP, Luiz, and I instantly felt comfortable in the beautiful city of Guadalajara. I arrived on a Friday evening and wasn’t meant to start until the coming Monday, however I was too eager to start and began the next day in my assigned hospital Emergency Department.
The first week of the project was spent in the ‘Cruz Verde Norte Zappopan’ Emergency Department (ED) and was probably one of my favourite weeks of the whole project. Not directly related to the prehospital environment, however the opportunity and experience in the ED would be something I would never experience back home in Australia. My role in the ED varied, yet if I were to describe it briefly I would explain it as high acuity nursing. My roles changed every day and the tasks and skills I practiced differed for every patient that presented in ED. I mostly did night shifts as I enjoyed doing nightshift in comparison to day shift as the jobs that came in varied significantly. Some of the cases I assisted with frequently included; Gathering and monitoring vital signs, Intravenous (IV) cannulation, Intramuscular (IM) injections, Suturing wounds from basic lacerations to difficult facial wounds which included adults and children, burn management and treatment and assisted in “resus room” cases. The staff in the ED were happy to teach me skills and provide me guidance under supervision before I was then on my own completing tasks within my scope of practice that I felt comfortable doing. If you enjoy being thrown in the ‘deep end’, they definitely allow you to be thrown in if you feel comfortable. In saying this, if I ever had doubts or didn’t feel comfortable performing a certain skill they provided the support and assistance when needed.
Another reason why I enjoyed my experience in the ED so much is because I had the opportunity to be involved in several hospital-to-hospital transfers. This involved the transfer of some very sick and critically ill patients in which allowed me to provide mechanical ventilations, monitor vital signs and administer medications where necessary. After my first week in the ED I felt comfortable around the hospital staff, fellow GMP participants and was ready for what laid ahead in the prehospital environment.
The following three weeks was where I spent my time in the ambulances that were assigned to the same hospital. I spent many days at the ambulance station without going home and surviving off ‘brief naps’, however this was my choice as I was so eager to take on every opportunity that came my way. Each crew at every shift I had were warm and welcoming and gave me the opportunity to perform and assist in task. What I loved the most from my time with the paramedics was the autonomy. For example, working as much or as little as you desired. For some periods, I never left the station for days as I wanted to get as much exposure and experience as I could. The range of jobs varied from the bread and butter of falls to frequent attendance of motor vehicle accidents, scooter/motor bike collision, overdoses and sadly deceased individuals. There were plenty of opportunities to practice and maintain clinical skills learnt at home. These skills included primary and secondary surveys, spinal immobilization, application of C-collars, Intravenous catheters, complex extrications of some patients and the list could go on forever.
I felt as though I got the most out my time with the paramedics and was constantly busy, with periods of time being super quite like anywhere in the world.
Steering away from the working side of things, what made this trip so good was everything else outside of working. Firstly the culture is beautiful, everyone was friendly and made you feel welcomed despite knowing very little Spanish. The food was incredible, if you love cheap taco’s that taste amazing you’re going to love this country. The main thing that made this trip the best was the local people I worked with and all the other GMP participants that were also there. We had all come across from different places around the world, and despite this we all had one goal in mind, and that was helping others. The friendships and people I met made it a truly unforgettable trip.
In concluding my reflection on my experience volunteering in Mexico, it made me realise how lucky I have it in Australia when it comes to healthcare. Going on this experience only made me realise having a healthcare service is a privilege, not a right. For example, if you were hit by a car walking, the driver would drive off having no sense of life and you would be lucky to get an ambulance at all. I found every patient very thankful and happy about getting medical attention, because they appreciate how lucky they are. There would be nothing I would change about my journey, the organisers were fantastic, the workplace was awesome and the people were the best. The only thing I would do better in future would be more prepared in regards to my Spanish skills. Having little Spanish did hinder some learning opportunities, but I worked with what I had like English speaker and maybe google translator to assist at times.
So thankyou to everyone that made this experience for what it was. If your hesitant about embarking on a challenge like this, all I can say it just do it. You will not regret it. All I can recommend to anyone is that you get out as much as you put in. So go over and work your ‘ass’ off and you will come back with so much more exposure and more passion about what you do.
When I completed my FREUC 5 Diploma course I was ecstatic. Being only 18 years old, I saw tons of doors open right in front of my eyes. The first thing that came to mind was the fact that I had to do 750 voluntary hours before receiving my diploma and that’s where GMP comes into the picture. Global medical projects has a fantastic 12 week package especially for those who need to do their 750 hours. That’s when I thought to myself “Mexico…Why not!”
Leaving South Africa for the first time by myself was definitely a scary experience. However, once I saw the friendly eyes of Luis, a GMP employee, right on time to pick me up from the airport I felt at peace. That was only the beginning. After the pleasant car ride and a crash course history lesson on how tequila is produced I got to meet my Mexican family. Gloria…oh Gloria, my Mexican mommy who never let me walk around without shoes made me feel as if I was part of the family. I was even offered to participate in weekly dance parties that she had at her house. Gloria’s food will forever be a part of my heart and unfortunately my stomach as well!
Starting my first shift at Cruz Verde Zapopan gave me butterflies in my stomach. I’ve never had to go to an emergency room myself, let alone work in one. For a week I did 6 hour shifts of blood sweat and tears (literally) of learning how to suture, cannulate, pump stomachs and give medications. The medical staff even let you attend and participate in surgeries if they think that you are fit to do so.
After my first week I got to move over to the ambulance crew. I was a little nervous bringing out my FREUC 5 book that had to be signed after each shift as I really didn’t want to be in the way or a bother to anyone. Luckily everyone understood the necessity of logging hours and happily obliged. I was basically told that I could work as many or as little hours as I like as long as I reached the minimum requirements. The shifts run from 8am- 2pm, 2pm- 8pm and then a full 12 hour shift overnight. I however jumped at the chance to gain as much experience as possible.
One great thing is you will never get hungry because Mexican paramedics love their taco runs! They know all the best places on the block even if it’s at 3am you will always be able to find some open taco stand waiting to serve you. While on shift I had exposure to the following: car accidents, suicides, hit and runs, gunshot wounds, sick babies and many construction accidents. The beauty about volunteering in Mexico is that even if you have minimal experience beforehand, they are always happy to teach you whatever you would like to learn and let you actually apply your skills out on road. You definitely will not feel like a waste of space as the paramedics are very inclusive and want you to be as hands on as possible.
Besides the actual paramedic part, you will make friends of a life time. The paramedics at Cruz Verde and Cruz Roja want to get to know you and show you around their city which they are all very proud of. They are used to us clueless, non Spanish speaking foreigners arriving and participating in the program. For them it is an experience as well because they constantly are wanting to learn new things that you could perhaps show them to make their job easier. Guadalajara is a beautiful city with tons to offer you (my personal favourites were the night clubs and bars).
Being a FREUC graduate, I recommend Mexico for everyone on the fence to go for it! As long as you put in the effort to pitch up to as many shifts as you personally know that you have to, they will happily sign your book and support you along your journey.
Just a few tips for those of you who are going to Mexico:
Ubers aren’t the cheapest things around but are your safest form of transport to and from work. Make sure you budget enough money in for it and try share lifts with the other volunteers because the chances that you’re staying in the same house or street as them are very high.
For the FREUC students, the patient reports at the back of your book, PLEASE fill them in after your shifts because you may think that you will remember everything in a couple of days or weeks… but trust me, you won’t (vital signs; scenario’s,ect)
Lola Lolita and Babel are my personal favourite night clubs in Guadalajara but I’ll leave you to decide that for yourself.
If you can’t find enough work clothes at home before you leave for Mexico please do not stress as they have tons for you to borrow at the host houses in all shapes and sizes.
Try learn your basic Spanish terms and greetings as it will get you a lot further than you think.
TRAVEL, I know your prime focus is to volunteer but just give yourself a weekend or two to go to Tequila or Chapala, it is worth it.
Last but not least, don’t expect your placement to be like Narcos. You will be safe.
Great work Kaylin! FREUC 5 graduates can complete all or part of their 750 hours practical frontline ambulance experience with us in Mexico. Realistically, 750 hours can be completed in 12 weeks. Placements are available throughout the year and start every week on Fridays. Find out more about the Emergency Care Practicum Program
Oh, Mexico… my favourite country on earth – you never cease to impress me upon each visit. I just can’t seem to stay away!
If I’m being honest, I was nervous to attend this project in Guadalajara due to Mexico’s dangerous reputation, despite visiting the paradise beaches of the east coast previously. However, upon arrival I immediately felt comfortable in what is known as the second largest city in Mexico. I was lucky enough to be placed in Gloria’s house with her lovely family throughout my stay. We were located 100 meters away from the Expiatorio – a stunning cathedral and square that was always buzzing each night with local food markets, salsa-dancing lessons and live music. Oh, and the two rooftop bars next door became our local nightcap destinations after a long day of work!
Gloria became known as our Mexican Mumma. She cooked us amazing local food, she told us to be careful every time we went out, she became nervous when we came home later than expected, she bought us tea into bed when we weren’t feeling well, and she even held my hair back when I was vomiting from too much tequila… while also shaking her head!
My first week was spent in the Cruz Verde Emergency Department, which turned out to be an endless flow of patients in and out, mostly with traumatic injuries. Most of these were sustained from workplace accidents, motor vehicle crashes and assaults. On my first day I was able to assist in the management and treatment of my first ever gun shot wounds. I was blown away to see the patient hobble out of the ED within 3 hours of arrival after being shot through his knee and groin while continuing to bleed out!
The most shocking injuries I saw were from patients held hostage and tortured by drug cartels gangs. I was told that this is really common, even beheadings, however it only happens to victims that are members of opposing cartels and they consequently know the risks when getting involved in the first place! Life lesson – as everyone will know from Narcos – don’t sell drugs in Mexico!
I was also lucky enough to witness an orthopedic surgery of an ankle reconstruction following a severe break which was really interesting to see – I had to keep reminding myself I was in a hospital and not a building site after seeing the equipment they were using!
I also learnt skills such as how to properly irrigate, clean and suture wounds as deep as the muscle, insert nasogastric tubes and suction appropriately, and apply casts for broken bones.
The following 2 weeks I spent on the ambulance with both the Cruz Verde and Cruz Roja. Patient assessment on scene was very difficult only knowing basic Spanish. The paramedics spoke very minimal English while the patients no doubt do not speak it either! Therefore, my assessment became more practical – I would take blood pressures, heart rates, temperatures, oxygen saturations, control haemorrhage, insert intravenous cannulas and hang fluids… leaving the Spanish questioning to the paramedics! You never knew what job you were attending because the paramedics were unable to say so in English, which added excitement and nerves to the crazy experience. I also completed my first ever night shifts, which I haven’t had the opportunity to do so in Australia; I would recommend doing night shifts on the weekend, as they were busy and fun!
On our days off, we were able to explore the area in which we were living. Throughout my time in Guadalajara, I visited Chapala which is home to Mexico’s largest fresh water lake which was beautiful, we drank endless amounts of tequila in the town where tequila is made (I thought I had died and gone to heaven) and we also climbed La Barranca de Huentitan canyon which had stunning views. Nights out on the town with the other volunteers from around the world as well as the local paramedics always turned out to be a good laugh.
GMP staff such as Luis, Zuhey, Kevin and Ariel provided endless support and were just a phone call away if we ever needed anything… so thank you guys!
Overall, I had an unbelievable experience as a result of my placement in Guadalajara. I was exposed to so much trauma that I feel will benefit my future practice as a paramedic and nurse tremendously in terms of physical management and emotional response. I’m slightly disappointed to go back to being on an Australian ambulance, as it is unlikely that it will be as exciting as the situations I witnessed in Mexico! I will miss the tacos, the people and the mariachi music until I come to return once more!
So if you are a paramedic or nursing student thinking about doing this placement in Guadalajara, pack your bags and get on that plane… you won’t regret it!
Bethanie Cain
Great report Bethanie! If you are interested in following in Bethanie’s footsteps and joining this type of project in Mexico, find out more here: Paramedic project in Mexico
Medical experience projects are not just for students. Claire Evens joined us in Mexico for medical and paramedic work experience when considering a career change. This report is taken from the thank you letter Claire kindly sent us and makes very interesting reading:
Dear Kevin,
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for the time I have spent volunteering for Global Medical Projects.
It has been an amazing experience from start to finish and I am truly glad it has been something I have been able to be a part of, despite my lack of previous medical experience.
The initial guidance I received from yourself was invaluable in helping me to decide on the best project and country to suit my needs. I can honestly say that after researching other companies, I believe what sets Global Medical Projects apart is the friendly, one to one guidance offered at the initial point of contact, which is neither too pushy nor too distant.
My time spent working as a volunteer here in Guadalajara has been an amazing experience to be a part of and I’m truly grateful that despite lacking in experience I was able to have the opportunity to partake in this.
From the first day I arrived at the Airport in Guadalajara I was met with gusto by Antonio at the Airport, his friendly and reassuring manner immediately put me at ease and was a great start to my experience here. Once we arrived at my accommodation I was met with equal enthusiasm by Josue and his partner Zuhey, who both had an approachable, friendly, but professional persona.
The home I have been staying in is very grandiose and although slightly antiquated, it has beautiful old style architecture. When I was first shown my room I was pleasantly surprised as it exceeded any previous expectations I had, with a comfortable double bed, adjoining shower and a TV! The relationship that I have built with my host is one of the best parts of my stay and is one which I hope will last a lifetime. We have become great friends and she has really welcomed me into her life and to her family.
I was initially quite apprehensive about starting at the hospital without any previous medical experience however it really helped re-assure me having Josue and Ariel there to settle me in and meet me at the Hospital to introduce me. I needn’t have worried as everyone has been so inclusive and friendly on each department that I’ve worked on in the Hospital. I do think that speaking a reasonable level of Spanish has helped me build closer relationships with staff and enabled me to integrate at a quicker pace into the team.
I was surprised how much I was able to get involved in the hospital despite my lack of previous experience. During my time there I was able to work on an out-patients department where adults, children and babies come to have their height and weight taken, temperature gauged and blood pressure measured. I learnt how to take the blood pressure, which for me was a first! This department was great for my Spanish, as it enabled me to practice this in a real live work setting.
I also spent time working in the emergency ward, which was by far my favourite ward, as there was a good level of banter in which I was included, so I was quickly able to fit into the team. I was able to learn how to put a cannula in, along with taking stiches out which again were both firsts for me. I also had the good fortune to meet some very friendly doctors along the way who invited me to see operations which included the removal of a uterus, the removal of an ovarian cyst, an investigation into a damaged urethra, the removal of scar tissue and cysts.
I was also able to see both a caesarean and a natural birth and help out on the mother and baby unit so I was able to experience the other side of the labour ward and see first-hand the level of care given to young Mums following the birth of their child.
I took part in a practical CPR session to learn how to resuscitate someone and was able to sit in on a very informative discussion about the importance of giving blood.
The final part of my volunteer experience has been working alongside the Red Cross ambulance staff. I was particularly nervous going into this situation without any previous medical experience especially when our first call involved us flying out the door and following an urban rescue van at about 90 miles an hour. I had goose bumps on my arms, my heart was in my chest and I didn’t have the nerve to ask what we had been called out to, as I was extremely conscious that I didn’t have any of the capabilities or knowledge to help them. However, once again I needn’t have worried as within a matter of a couple of hours I began to feel like one of the team. I got to partake in covering a local sporting event and some of the call outs involved a car accident, motorbike accident and a deep cut to the head by a possible machete.
My overall experience of Global Medical Projects has been one of extreme satisfaction. From the minute I arrived I felt immediately relaxed with everyone that I have been put in contact with on the volunteer projects and both the staff and hospital employees really went out of their way to accommodate me in every way possible. The whole set up is extremely well organised and the support given by the team in Guadalajara is second to none and I always felt that my needs were a priority and I felt I could ask for help or guidance at any time. I can really sense that Ariel eats sleeps and breaths Global Medical Projects and I can see how important it is to him that all the volunteers have a good experience and all their needs are met.
I would truly recommend anyone who is thinking about getting involved in a placement to just go ahead and do it! For me it has been a truly remarkable and potentially a life changing experience. It has enabled me to gain some valuable experience in a medical setting, improve my Spanish and to build relationships with people which I hope will last a life time.
Thank you once again for this experience.
Kind regards
Ashleigh with the ambulance crew at the green cross
My name is Ashleigh and I am currently in my third year of studying Paramedic Science. In between my second and third year I decided to head to Guadalajara for what was meant to be three weeks (I ended up staying for 5). I decided to undertake this volunteer placement to expose myself to the diverse culture of Mexico. I also thought that it would be a great learning experience for trauma emergencies – I wasn’t wrong!
My first week was spent in the emergency department of Cruz Roja (Red Cross). Cruz Roja was approximately a 30 minute walk from my host family so I often walked with other volunteers to see the beautiful city of Guadalajara. The doctors at Cruz Roja were very welcoming, spoke good English and loved making sure I was getting involved. Throughout the week I worked mostly from 7am-2pm and would sometimes go in for the evening. Cruz Roja was quieter than I had expected but I still experienced more than I have on placements at home.
I then asked if I was able to work at Cruz Verde (Green Cross) and that was not a problem. This was where I would make friends and memories that would last a life time! I worked a couple of shifts in the emergency department before spending the rest of my time in the ambulance. In the clinic I was accompanied by the student doctors, who again spoke good English. The level of trust the doctors held within other volunteers and I was incredible! The highlight of my time in the clinic was learning to suture and watching small surgeries (well attempting to).
Ashleigh with the ambulance crew at the Cruz Verde
Throughout my time working as the third person in the ambulance, I experienced things I would have never imagined! Again, the ambulance service was quieter than I had expected, I believe this is due to the cost, most people prefer to drive themselves (yes people will drive a family member in cardiac arrest to the hospital). In saying this, I still attended a car or motorbike accident every single day. Other cases I frequently attended to included; cardiac arrests, strokes, diabetic emergencies, shootings and stabbings! I attended many interesting, unusual and at times very rewarding cases. The one case that stood out for me the most was a multi casualty accident involving two police cars and approximately 20 pedestrians. Being my first major trauma incident, this case was obviously very hard for me. However I feel as though it has developed me into a better paramedic. The biggest learning point gained from this experience was that sometimes words are not needed. The feeling of being able to comfort and care for a number of seriously injured causalities, who did not speak my language, was a truly rewarding experience that I will carry with me forever.
The paramedics at Cruz Verde were no doubt some of the most caring people I have ever met. They were all very welcoming and constantly asked if I was okay – making me feel at home. They always insisted on taking me for tacos or hotdogs (strongly recommend) even if it was 2am. I made friendships that I know will last a lifetime. I worked around the clock, often doing consecutive 18 hour shifts, although you can work as much or as little as you like!
Overall my experience with Global Medical Projects was nothing short of incredible. The GMP staff were all very welcoming before and during my stay. Kevin was a great help with any concerns prior to my trip and always replied as soon as possible. He also insured I was more than comfortable and made fast arrangements when I decided to stay for an extra two weeks. The GMP staff in Guadalajara work around the clock to always insure you are safe and are more than happy to show you around and help with any concerns.
My recommendation for anyone considering taking this trip of a life time is to just do it! Step out of your comfort zone and I can promise you it will be more than worth it. Learn as much Spanish as possible, drink as much tequila as possible, eat as many tacos as possible, but most of all have the absolute time of your life! I am already considering planning a trip back!
If you would like to follow in Ashleigh’s footsteps, you can find out more here Student Paramedic projects in Mexico
I arrived late on a Saturday night in a down pour of torrential rain, deafening thunder claps and fork lightening. I could barely see out of the window on my taxi journey from the airport. I was a bit disorientated after a twenty-four hour journey, but I had arrived in Mexico. I was warmly welcomed by the the family (who would treat me as one of their own for the next three weeks), as well as one of the Global Medical team and some volunteers already on placement (who would then take me out for a welcome beer)
My name is Rob and I am currently a third year paramedic student studying in England. At the end my second year I took the decision to head to Mexico for a three week volunteer placement, working in the Emergency Department (ED) and on the ambulances in the city of Guadalajara.
I worked six hour shifts, either morning or afternoon following the shifts of the hospital staff and paramedics but you can work as much or as little as you like (afternoons and nights being the busier shifts). My first week was spent in the clinic acclimatising to the language and culture. I was surprised by the amount of people that bring themselves or family members to hospital, people only call an ambulance when they are not physically able to bring themselves in. I saw people with broken legs, hips and even one with a spinal fracture being carried in by family members/friends. Even one chap covered in over one hundred bee stings just walk into the department before he collapsed in shock. In my time at the clinic I was able to help with the daily tasks such as wound care, bandaging, suturing, cannulation, ECGs and drug administration, I was also able to watch some minor surgeries in quiet times in the ED. I also spent a lot of my time with the doctors in the emergency department discussing differences in treatment and training, which helped me come away with a greater appreciation for the equipment and training that we take for granted in the UK.
The shifts in Mexico were a lot quieter than what I am used to in the UK, this I believe, is due to the fact that people only call when it is really necessary. I averaged two or three jobs in my six hour shifts. However, when you do get a job it is usually trauma or a medical emergency. One memorable day the first job attended was to a ninety year old lady who had been hit by a car (over 250 car Vs pedestrian deaths so far this year in Guadalajara alone). The next job was to an elderly man who had suffered a TIA, there are no carry chairs in mexican ambulances so improvisation is key to the job. We tied this elderly chap into a small armchair with a bed sheet and carried him down the three flights of stairs, head first. After that a young man who had fallen two stories, from the fifth floor of a building under construction and landed face first on the third floor. The first issue was reaching the patient, we had to get up to the third floor using a ladder which we pulled up behind us each time to reach the next floor. The lucky patient was conscious and appeared to have no other injuries other than a mouth lacking teeth and blood loss from that general area. We rolled him onto a rescue board and immobilized him with collar and blocks. Then began the wait for the “Bomberos” (fire brigade). The extraction of this young man was very impressive once the “bomberos” arrived. They harnessed up the rescue board with ropes and lowered him down feet first one floor at a time. Fire at the top with paramedics catching at the bottom. Pretty hair raising work jumping across steel girders with nothing but three stories of space below.
The staff in both the clinic and on the ambulance were very welcoming, I went for a breakfast of tacos most days with either the nurses or paramedics. Most weekends the other volunteers and myself were invited out by the paramedics and doctors to sample the night life of the city, salsa dancing, lucha libre (mexican wrestling), mariachis and tequila! The city itself is beautiful and welcoming to tourists so take some time to explore the sights, food, music and culture that it has to offer.
As well as new friends and memories on of the things I will take away from this experience is how rich we are in education and support in the UK. These guys do an incredible job with little money/governmental support and sometimes archaic equipment. I recommend anybody working in or planning to work in medicine/paramedicine to take on this experience, to head to mexico with an open mind, to work hard (you will get out what you put in), to eat tacos, drink tequila, dance salsa, and to learn about a different way of living and working.
With a sweaty hand, I nervously clutched my backpack and stepped foot out of the plane. I took a deep breath as I admired the warm, yet quiet evening in Mexico. There were no other planes at the airport and the sun had just set. In the distance, I could see the soft-glow of the airport lights surround me as I patiently waited for the shuttle to bring me to the nearby terminal. Who would be picking me up? I know someone is coming, but I don’t speak that good of Spanish. I hope they can speak a little bit of English. I was nervous and so many questions flooded my mind, but it was now. Now, was the time for me to step out my comfort zone. I had just flown out of the United States for the first time in my life and my volunteer journey with Global Medical Projects was about to begin.
For the past two years, I have worked as a paramedic in the United States. Although I love my job as a paramedic, I had always had a desire to provide care in an underserved area outside of the United States. By volunteering abroad, I was hoping I would gain invaluable knowledge by experiencing another culture, learning about other health care systems, and by being exposed to different medical differentials and techniques. Little did I know that as I nervously stepped out of the plane that evening, I would be fulfilling all of those desires by the end of my trip.
After being picked up that evening by Alberto, one of the volunteer coordinators for Global Medical Projects (and yes, he spoke English very well), I was taken to my “families” house. Prior to arrival, I knew I was going to be assigned to live with a family in Guadalajara and that the family would be providing me with 3 meals a day as well as a clean, safe living quarters. The coordination with getting to Mexico was effortless. Kevin, the program director based out of the United Kingdom, was very quick at responding to calls/emails and kept me informed with any changes in living arrangements, assignments, and with answering any questions/concerns that I had.
When I first arrived at the house, I immediately felt at ease. Since I had a late arrival that evening, the family had just finished eating and had been expecting my arrival. They were overjoyed to meet me and welcomed me right away to eat some of the meal they had just finished. The father of the family spoke a little bit of English, but he encouraged me to use some of my Spanish since the mother did not speak any English and she was quite excited to talk to me. After gaining some confidence from the father’s encouragement, I felt comfortable attempting to use my basic Spanish (with, of course, a little help from Google Translator). Not only was the family waiting to greet me, there were two guys sitting at the kitchen table. The two guys were student paramedics/ volunteers from the United Kingdom who had already been volunteering for a week longer than myself. The two volunteers were wonderful and they shuffled me up the stairs to show me my bedroom.
Although my room had two beds in it, I had my own room and shared a bathroom with the other two volunteers (who also had their own rooms). Mary, the house mom, kept the space very clean and was constantly concerned if we were getting enough to eat or if we needed anything. This fantastic hospitality remained the whole trip and the house really felt like my home away from home. There were many nights of delicious family dinners followed with great conversation, games, and laughter in the upstairs living room.
My first day in the city was relaxed. I was able to sleep in before Alberto returned the next day to take me around the city. We wandered the city and soaked in the culture. Alberto made sure to take me to some of the best food and drink spots. Although the city was hustling and bustling, it was so much fun because we were able to take the city bus around to see so much of the city including: the old churches, family owned coffee and food shops, shopping centers, the heart of downtown Guadalajara, and the other main hospital. Alberto took me to Cruz Verde, the hospital I would be volunteering at, and introduced me to the staff. The staff hardly spoke English, but that didn’t stop them from trying to talk to me- they were incredibly friendly and inviting! They wanted to know who I was, what I wanted to help with, and what I already knew.
I spent a bulk of my three weeks in the hospital.The hospital experience was perfect. As volunteers, we took the bus and train to the hospital every morning around 7 am. We were “on-duty” from 8 am to 2pm. I was able to assist and perform many procedures (under the guidance of one of the physicians) that are not normally in the scope of practice for a paramedic in the states. Some of the most memorable things that I was able to do included removing and doing stitches, directly assisting in the operating room, helping put casts on patients, assisting with cleaning and wrapping wounds, starting IV’s/setting up drips of medications, assisting during cardiac arrest, and etc. The list could go on. Some interesting cases that I saw included: multiple cardiac arrests, a scorpion sting on a little girl, a traumatic femur fracture, a man stung by hundreds of bees, and a man who went into anaphylaxis due to eating a duck egg.
In the emergency room, as a volunteer if you simply asked, you could learn and assist with almost anything under the guidance of the doctors. They truly wanted us to learn and help as much as possible. Not only was I able to pick their brains about medical procedures, but I was able to understand how their health care system worked. By the end of our trip, the doctors and nurses became close friends to us. We often went out in the evenings together and they truly made us feel like we were part of the hospital family.
Following my experience in the hospital, I decided that I wanted to branch out and volunteer for the night shift on the ambulance. The ambulance night shifts were 12 hours long. I was paired up with another volunteer for the evening shifts so I was not riding the bus and train to the hospital by myself. We were on separate ambulances, but we stayed in the paramedic quarters in the hospital when we weren’t on calls.
The only way to describe the paramedics is with one word: passionate! They were incredibly passionate about their job and were extremely proud to be able to provide people care in a pre-hospital setting.. Although their trucks are not equipped with cardiac monitors and cardiac drugs like the US and UK, they otherwise had similar pre-hospital drugs and interventions. Since the city and hospital does not have a lot of money to put into the ambulance service, the paramedics were very careful not to be wasteful and they often “created” there own splints as necessary. Some calls that we worked included: many motor vehicle and bike accidents, dog bites, very sick elders, and traumatic injuries on work sites.
As a volunteer, I rode third person in the back of the ambulance’s captain chair. (Let’s just put it this way: you definitely had to buckle in and hold on when they were driving emergency traffic or you risked flying out of your chair!). The director of EMS made sure that we stayed with the same paramedics during our time volunteering. My two paramedics were no different than the hospital staff in the respect that they wanted me to be at home. Between calls, they would often sneak me away to see something “cool” or to eat a traditional meal that I was “required to eat” before leaving Mexico. They made sure I got the true Mexican experience. In the field, similar to the hospital, the paramedics let me function as a paramedic. I noticed in the homes that the residents of the city were extremely respectful and thankful for the paramedics. It was a wonderful experience to see and the respectfulness truly reflected the “Mexican way of life” (as they would often tell me about).
When we weren’t working in the hospital and on the ambulances, we were able to venture around the city of Guadalajara and surrounding cities. The evenings were often full of fun adventures to shop, eat, drink, and enjoy the Latin culture. The weekends were especially exciting because we elected not to work on the weekends (although you could if you wanted or needed to). As a group, we picked places we wanted to go see and would travel to them via Uber or the bus. One weekend, we took a bus to Puerto Vallarta. Puerto Vallarta was a neighboring beach city about 4 hours away. We were able to book an “Air B n B” hotel room for extremely cheap to stay right on the beach. Another weekend, we got rained into a “fiesta” in a nearby city and enjoyed some local drinks and festivities- not so bad to be rained in with good food and company!
After my three weeks were up, I found it difficult to leave. The culture was incredibly inviting, I felt part of the hospital and EMS staff, and I had made wonderful friends. I’m already looking forward to the next opportunity I get to go back. Thank you Global Medical Projects for providing a safe, fun, and invaluable learning experience that was, and is, an experience of a lifetime!”
Global Medical Projects offers the student on a distance education/blended learning course in pre-hospital emergency care, the opportunity to conduct practical learning in accordance with his/her course requirements.
The aim of this program is to accelerate practical learning. The mentored aspect provides teaching, guidance, support, evaluation and coordination to maximize time-effort and validation of clinical hours completed, allowing the student to complete his/her course in the shortest possible time without compromising standards.
Emergency Care Practicum Program overview:
Location: Guadalajara, Mexico
Course A
12 weeks/750 hours, mentored ambulance and emergency room rotational clinical placements, suitable for students of:
Ronin SA (Remote Medical Technician course)
Level 5 diploma in FREUC (UK)
IHCD Ambulance Technician (UK)
Course B
6 weeks/375 hours, max 8 weeks mentored ambulance and emergency room placements rotational clinical placements, suitable for students of:
HLT51015 Diploma of Paramedical Science (Ambulance)(Aus)
EMT-Paramedic (International) (+ 1 week)
Industry Paramedic (International) (+ 1 week)
Course C
4 weeks/168 hours, max 4 weeks, mentored ambulance and emergency room rotational clinical
placements, suitable for students or holders of:
Level 3 and 4 certificate in FREC (UK)
HLT41115 Certificate IV in Health Care (Aus)
EMT-Basic (International)
Ronin SA (Telemetric Medical Assistant course)
MIRA (UK)
FPOS-I (UK)
Pre university prospective paramedic students (International)
University paramedic students (International)
* Extensions to any course are available in weekly increments to the maximum stipulate attendance per course.
Program outcomes:
Verifiable mentored clinical placement hours in accordance with the individual student’s pathway of studies or requirements of their specific training organization.
logbooks verified by mentor and sanitized patient report forms available to the student to make his/her own copies.
My Paramedic Work Experience Placement in Puerto Vallarta – Tony
Tony and the paramedic crew
I have recently returned from a 5 week paramedic work experience placement with the Red Cross in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I am applying to train to be a paramedic in the UK so I was looking to increase my general medical knowledge and learn more about the skills required to be a paramedic. Puerto Vallarta is a coastal town popular with tourists, it is the second largest city in the state of Jalisco. The Red Cross are the primary ambulance service in the city which means the variety and scope of experience I gained here was excellent.
On arrival into Puerto Vallarta, Jorge, my host, picked me up from the airport and took me to his house where I would be living for the next 5 weeks. He also gave me a tour of the local area and showed me the Red Cross clinic, only a short walk from his house.
Tony in the emergency clinic
I was primarily working alongside the paramedics in the ambulances however I did spend substantial time in the clinic assisting the doctors and nurses. They were very flexible in terms of the hours and days that you decide to work. In order to gain the most out of the experience I worked 6 days per week and shifts ranged from 10-24 hours including days and nights. The staff were extremely welcoming and friendly. Despite not having any previous medical qualifications and only basic Spanish I was astonished by the level of responsibility and involvement I was given from day one. Every emergency call-out I had a very hands-on role assisting the paramedics. This included escorting the patients, measuring heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, administering oxygen and providing reassurance. I also received training on how to insert cannulas.
Transferring the paediatric patient
Many of the more minor emergency call outs/ duties included slips and trips, patients with low blood sugar levels, minor cuts, patient transfer duties and a very fun night providing onsite medical cover at a music festival. One of the most interesting was the transfer of a prematurely born baby which was a very delicate and intricate operation. More major incidents included car/ motorcycle accidents, trauma, shootings, seizures, heart attacks and drug overdoses. Due to the variety of both patients and incidences there were many different places patients had to be taken for treatment. Those with more minor injuries or without medical insurance were treated at the Red Cross clinic. Others were taken to the public or private hospitals across the city. This provided an excellent opportunity for me to observe the working relationships between paramedics, patients and other healthcare professionals.
Tony attending a traffic collision
It was fascinating to see first-hand the scope and processes involved in the role of a paramedic in addition to simply providing medical care. Whether it was communication skills with the patients, accurate recording of details and events, maintaining patient confidentiality and dignity, providing reassurance to family members or liaising with other emergency services. On occasions where the patients were American or English tourists who could not speak Spanish, I helped provide instruction and support which was excellent experience in preparation for my future career as a paramedic. The placement also provided a good insight into the reality of the role. Most notably the largest number of incidents were relatively minor with communication and support being the most vital skill. The fact that one day can be completely different to the next with some days or certain times of the week being very busy and others quieter. It can also expose you to critical situations where you need to act quickly and calmly, which can be mentally challenging but an essential element of emergency medical care. I found this an extremely rewarding part of the experience.
I would highly recommend a paramedic placement in Mexico! It certainly provides an opportunity to gain experience and responsibility much more quickly with little previous training than is possible in the UK. In terms of advice I would give would be that you only get out what you put it. Much of the training I received was through asking to be shown how to perform certain processes. Simply try to get involved and help out in any way you can. This will very much be welcomed and will hugely increase the amount you gain from the experience. If you can’t speak Spanish this is not an issue but the more you know the better. Try to learn as much as possible before you go.
Christmas at the emergency clinic
The Mexican people are extremely friendly and welcoming, I made many good friends and had great fun working with the paramedics despite my very basic level of Spanish. As I was there over the whole Christmas period I worked the night shift on Christmas Eve which involved a surprise visit to one of the paramedic’s family homes at midnight where I was welcomed in and treated to a full meal with the family! On one of my days off they invited me to a BBQ and a few drinks on the beach which was a very enjoyable day.
This experience was a great way to learn about all the different elements of the role and has only increased my enthusiasm for a career as a Paramedic. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is considering or currently undertaking a career in emergency medical care.
I began my 4-week Global Medical Projects (GMP) student paramedic placement on the 11/1/19 in Guadalajara (Mexico) after an orientation to the hospitals, ambulance services and a few Spanish lessons. The first week I worked in the Green Cross (South) emergency department and conducted health status assessments, practiced IM injections and IV cannulations, administered medications and learnt how to suture under the supervision of the qualified nurses and doctors. There was a vast array of medical and traumatic patient presentations I experienced including: a deep tendon laceration from workplace equipment, a basal skull fractures from a physical assault, respiratory emergencies including acute exacerbation of asthma and more.
During my third and fourth week on placement I worked between the Red Cross (North) Ambulance service and in a small rural Red Cross emergency department in Toluqilla (located outside Guadalajara, Mexico). During my time at Red Cross Toluqilla we had an imminent birth and I assisted in delivery of the baby, placenta and neonatal resuscitation. I also treated two factory workers that suffered facial burns in a confined space when a machine exploded while on shift. I assisted monitoring these patients and conducted the burns appropriate treatment before they were transported to a major hospital. On my final shift at Toluquila I also had a 30YOM with 18 stab wounds present while I was working. Part of his stab wounds included protruding abdominal contents and a sucking chest wound. Under the supervision in the resus team I assisted taking vital signs, the head to toe examination and interventions keeping him stable until he was transported to a major hospital.
Whilst feeling a little hesitant without talking to my friends or family first, I expressed interest online. Within hours Kevin from Global Medical Project (GMP) contacted me despite the time difference between Australia and the UK as he wanted to connect with me at a time that suited me best. After a great in-depth conversation with Kevin I booked the dates for my project and the following day I booked my plane ticket to Guadalajara. Despite the fact it was going to be a long journey there, I knew it was all a part of the experience and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Months prior to departing Kevin and myself were frequently communicating with any questions or assistant in my preparation. I was also in contact and communicating with the coordinator of the project in Mexico (Ariel). With fluent English we were both able to communicate prior to arriving. When I arrived I was instantly greeted by a team member of GMP, Luiz, and I instantly felt comfortable in the beautiful city of Guadalajara. I arrived on a Friday evening and wasn’t meant to start until the coming Monday, however I was too eager to start and began the next day in my assigned hospital Emergency Department.
The first week of the project was spent in the ‘Cruz Verde Norte Zappopan’ Emergency Department (ED) and was probably one of my favourite weeks of the whole project. Not directly related to the prehospital environment, however the opportunity and experience in the ED would be something I would never experience back home in Australia. My role in the ED varied, yet if I were to describe it briefly I would explain it as high acuity nursing. My roles changed every day and the tasks and skills I practiced differed for every patient that presented in ED. I mostly did night shifts as I enjoyed doing nightshift in comparison to day shift as the jobs that came in varied significantly. Some of the cases I assisted with frequently included; Gathering and monitoring vital signs, Intravenous (IV) cannulation, Intramuscular (IM) injections, Suturing wounds from basic lacerations to difficult facial wounds which included adults and children, burn management and treatment and assisted in “resus room” cases. The staff in the ED were happy to teach me skills and provide me guidance under supervision before I was then on my own completing tasks within my scope of practice that I felt comfortable doing. If you enjoy being thrown in the ‘deep end’, they definitely allow you to be thrown in if you feel comfortable. In saying this, if I ever had doubts or didn’t feel comfortable performing a certain skill they provided the support and assistance when needed.
The following three weeks was where I spent my time in the ambulances that were assigned to the same hospital. I spent many days at the ambulance station without going home and surviving off ‘brief naps’, however this was my choice as I was so eager to take on every opportunity that came my way. Each crew at every shift I had were warm and welcoming and gave me the opportunity to perform and assist in task. What I loved the most from my time with the paramedics was the autonomy. For example, working as much or as little as you desired. For some periods, I never left the station for days as I wanted to get as much exposure and experience as I could. The range of jobs varied from the bread and butter of falls to frequent attendance of motor vehicle accidents, scooter/motor bike collision, overdoses and sadly deceased individuals. There were plenty of opportunities to practice and maintain clinical skills learnt at home. These skills included primary and secondary surveys, spinal immobilization, application of C-collars, Intravenous catheters, complex extrications of some patients and the list could go on forever.
Steering away from the working side of things, what made this trip so good was everything else outside of working. Firstly the culture is beautiful, everyone was friendly and made you feel welcomed despite knowing very little Spanish. The food was incredible, if you love cheap taco’s that taste amazing you’re going to love this country. The main thing that made this trip the best was the local people I worked with and all the other GMP participants that were also there. We had all come across from different places around the world, and despite this we all had one goal in mind, and that was helping others. The friendships and people I met made it a truly unforgettable trip.
So thankyou to everyone that made this experience for what it was. If your hesitant about embarking on a challenge like this, all I can say it just do it. You will not regret it. All I can recommend to anyone is that you get out as much as you put in. So go over and work your ‘ass’ off and you will come back with so much more exposure and more passion about what you do.
When I completed my FREUC 5 Diploma course I was ecstatic. Being only 18 years old, I saw tons of doors open right in front of my eyes. The first thing that came to mind was the fact that I had to do 750 voluntary hours before receiving my diploma and that’s where GMP comes into the picture. Global medical projects has a fantastic 12 week package especially for those who need to do their 750 hours. That’s when I thought to myself “Mexico…Why not!”
Starting my first shift at Cruz Verde Zapopan gave me butterflies in my stomach. I’ve never had to go to an emergency room myself, let alone work in one. For a week I did 6 hour shifts of blood sweat and tears (literally) of learning how to suture, cannulate, pump stomachs and give medications. The medical staff even let you attend and participate in surgeries if they think that you are fit to do so.
One great thing is you will never get hungry because Mexican paramedics love their taco runs! They know all the best places on the block even if it’s at 3am you will always be able to find some open taco stand waiting to serve you. While on shift I had exposure to the following: car accidents, suicides, hit and runs, gunshot wounds, sick babies and many construction accidents. The beauty about volunteering in Mexico is that even if you have minimal experience beforehand, they are always happy to teach you whatever you would like to learn and let you actually apply your skills out on road. You definitely will not feel like a waste of space as the paramedics are very inclusive and want you to be as hands on as possible.
Besides the actual paramedic part, you will make friends of a life time. The paramedics at Cruz Verde and Cruz Roja want to get to know you and show you around their city which they are all very proud of. They are used to us clueless, non Spanish speaking foreigners arriving and participating in the program. For them it is an experience as well because they constantly are wanting to learn new things that you could perhaps show them to make their job easier. Guadalajara is a beautiful city with tons to offer you (my personal favourites were the night clubs and bars).
My first week was spent in the Cruz Verde Emergency Department, which turned out to be an endless flow of patients in and out, mostly with traumatic injuries. Most of these were sustained from workplace accidents, motor vehicle crashes and assaults. On my first day I was able to assist in the management and treatment of my first ever gun shot wounds. I was blown away to see the patient hobble out of the ED within 3 hours of arrival after being shot through his knee and groin while continuing to bleed out!
The following 2 weeks I spent on the ambulance with both the Cruz Verde and Cruz Roja. Patient assessment on scene was very difficult only knowing basic Spanish. The paramedics spoke very minimal English while the patients no doubt do not speak it either! Therefore, my assessment became more practical – I would take blood pressures, heart rates, temperatures, oxygen saturations, control haemorrhage, insert intravenous cannulas and hang fluids… leaving the Spanish questioning to the paramedics! You never knew what job you were attending because the paramedics were unable to say so in English, which added excitement and nerves to the crazy experience. I also completed my first ever night shifts, which I haven’t had the opportunity to do so in Australia; I would recommend doing night shifts on the weekend, as they were busy and fun!
Dear Kevin,
My overall experience of Global Medical Projects has been one of extreme satisfaction. From the minute I arrived I felt immediately relaxed with everyone that I have been put in contact with on the volunteer projects and both the staff and hospital employees really went out of their way to accommodate me in every way possible. The whole set up is extremely well organised and the support given by the team in Guadalajara is second to none and I always felt that my needs were a priority and I felt I could ask for help or guidance at any time. I can really sense that Ariel eats sleeps and breaths Global Medical Projects and I can see how important it is to him that all the volunteers have a good experience and all their needs are met.
I arrived late on a Saturday night in a down pour of torrential rain, deafening thunder claps and fork lightening. I could barely see out of the window on my taxi journey from the airport. I was a bit disorientated after a twenty-four hour journey, but I had arrived in Mexico. I was warmly welcomed by the the family (who would treat me as one of their own for the next three weeks), as well as one of the Global Medical team and some volunteers already on placement (who would then take me out for a welcome beer)
I worked six hour shifts, either morning or afternoon following the shifts of the hospital staff and paramedics but you can work as much or as little as you like (afternoons and nights being the busier shifts). My first week was spent in the clinic acclimatising to the language and culture. I was surprised by the amount of people that bring themselves or family members to hospital, people only call an ambulance when they are not physically able to bring themselves in. I saw people with broken legs, hips and even one with a spinal fracture being carried in by family members/friends. Even one chap covered in over one hundred bee stings just walk into the department before he collapsed in shock. In my time at the clinic I was able to help with the daily tasks such as wound care, bandaging, suturing, cannulation, ECGs and drug administration, I was also able to watch some minor surgeries in quiet times in the ED. I also spent a lot of my time with the doctors in the emergency department discussing differences in treatment and training, which helped me come away with a greater appreciation for the equipment and training that we take for granted in the UK.
The shifts in Mexico were a lot quieter than what I am used to in the UK, this I believe, is due to the fact that people only call when it is really necessary. I averaged two or three jobs in my six hour shifts. However, when you do get a job it is usually trauma or a medical emergency. One memorable day the first job attended was to a ninety year old lady who had been hit by a car (over 250 car Vs pedestrian deaths so far this year in Guadalajara alone). The next job was to an elderly man who had suffered a TIA, there are no carry chairs in mexican ambulances so improvisation is key to the job. We tied this elderly chap into a small armchair with a bed sheet and carried him down the three flights of stairs, head first. After that a young man who had fallen two stories, from the fifth floor of a building under construction and landed face first on the third floor. The first issue was reaching the patient, we had to get up to the third floor using a ladder which we pulled up behind us each time to reach the next floor. The lucky patient was conscious and appeared to have no other injuries other than a mouth lacking teeth and blood loss from that general area. We rolled him onto a rescue board and immobilized him with collar and blocks. Then began the wait for the “Bomberos” (fire brigade). The extraction of this young man was very impressive once the “bomberos” arrived. They harnessed up the rescue board with ropes and lowered him down feet first one floor at a time. Fire at the top with paramedics catching at the bottom. Pretty hair raising work jumping across steel girders with nothing but three stories of space below.
The staff in both the clinic and on the ambulance were very welcoming, I went for a breakfast of tacos most days with either the nurses or paramedics. Most weekends the other volunteers and myself were invited out by the paramedics and doctors to sample the night life of the city, salsa dancing, lucha libre (mexican wrestling), mariachis and tequila! The city itself is beautiful and welcoming to tourists so take some time to explore the sights, food, music and culture that it has to offer.
As well as new friends and memories on of the things I will take away from this experience is how rich we are in education and support in the UK. These guys do an incredible job with little money/governmental support and sometimes archaic equipment. I recommend anybody working in or planning to work in medicine/paramedicine to take on this experience, to head to mexico with an open mind, to work hard (you will get out what you put in), to eat tacos, drink tequila, dance salsa, and to learn about a different way of living and working.
After being picked up that evening by Alberto, one of the volunteer coordinators for Global Medical Projects (and yes, he spoke English very well), I was taken to my “families” house. Prior to arrival, I knew I was going to be assigned to live with a family in Guadalajara and that the family would be providing me with 3 meals a day as well as a clean, safe living quarters. The coordination with getting to Mexico was effortless. Kevin, the program director based out of the United Kingdom, was very quick at responding to calls/emails and kept me informed with any changes in living arrangements, assignments, and with answering any questions/concerns that I had.
I spent a bulk of my three weeks in the hospital.The hospital experience was perfect. As volunteers, we took the bus and train to the hospital every morning around 7 am. We were “on-duty” from 8 am to 2pm. I was able to assist and perform many procedures (under the guidance of one of the physicians) that are not normally in the scope of practice for a paramedic in the states. Some of the most memorable things that I was able to do included removing and doing stitches, directly assisting in the operating room, helping put casts on patients, assisting with cleaning and wrapping wounds, starting IV’s/setting up drips of medications, assisting during cardiac arrest, and etc. The list could go on. Some interesting cases that I saw included: multiple cardiac arrests, a scorpion sting on a little girl, a traumatic femur fracture, a man stung by hundreds of bees, and a man who went into anaphylaxis due to eating a duck egg.
In the emergency room, as a volunteer if you simply asked, you could learn and assist with almost anything under the guidance of the doctors. They truly wanted us to learn and help as much as possible. Not only was I able to pick their brains about medical procedures, but I was able to understand how their health care system worked. By the end of our trip, the doctors and nurses became close friends to us. We often went out in the evenings together and they truly made us feel like we were part of the hospital family.
As a volunteer, I rode third person in the back of the ambulance’s captain chair. (Let’s just put it this way: you definitely had to buckle in and hold on when they were driving emergency traffic or you risked flying out of your chair!). The director of EMS made sure that we stayed with the same paramedics during our time volunteering. My two paramedics were no different than the hospital staff in the respect that they wanted me to be at home. Between calls, they would often sneak me away to see something “cool” or to eat a traditional meal that I was “required to eat” before leaving Mexico. They made sure I got the true Mexican experience. In the field, similar to the hospital, the paramedics let me function as a paramedic. I noticed in the homes that the residents of the city were extremely respectful and thankful for the paramedics. It was a wonderful experience to see and the respectfulness truly reflected the “Mexican way of life” (as they would often tell me about).
When we weren’t working in the hospital and on the ambulances, we were able to venture around the city of Guadalajara and surrounding cities. The evenings were often full of fun adventures to shop, eat, drink, and enjoy the Latin culture. The weekends were especially exciting because we elected not to work on the weekends (although you could if you wanted or needed to). As a group, we picked places we wanted to go see and would travel to them via Uber or the bus. One weekend, we took a bus to Puerto Vallarta. Puerto Vallarta was a neighboring beach city about 4 hours away. We were able to book an “Air B n B” hotel room for extremely cheap to stay right on the beach. Another weekend, we got rained into a “fiesta” in a nearby city and enjoyed some local drinks and festivities- not so bad to be rained in with good food and company!
After my three weeks were up, I found it difficult to leave. The culture was incredibly inviting, I felt part of the hospital and EMS staff, and I had made wonderful friends. I’m already looking forward to the next opportunity I get to go back. Thank you Global Medical Projects for providing a safe, fun, and invaluable learning experience that was, and is, an experience of a lifetime!”
