Must be frustrating when someone stops on a blind bend to let you pass, the blue van had the best of intentions.

@fredwest2234

2 ай бұрын

Often, it is better to keep going than to stop, especially before an island or bend.

@TonyWhitley

2 ай бұрын

🙄

@thesim1990

2 ай бұрын

I saw two morons, one in the blue van and another in the red car who should've heard the siren and anticipated something being in the middle of the road.

@christopherhand1092

2 ай бұрын

My brother is a firefighter and he says in blue light training they actualy advice to keep going rather than stopping

@Overpet

2 ай бұрын

Was surprised how many times it happened in this video. I understand that sometimes the pressure catches you off guard or your hand is forced by the decisions made by cars around you, but we've seen from other videos that most of the time people keep going and make the right call so it shocked me how many in this video didn't.

The siren switch and mode changer being on a stalk looks so natural and intuative compared to having the press the horn

@Solar_00

2 ай бұрын

Exactly what I was thiking

@paulmonk9065

2 ай бұрын

Yes a lot better no horn sound between modes .

@MementoMori-xx5qo

2 ай бұрын

Most Ambos have this since they don't need to give constant radio updates, but in Police cars we have it linked to the horn - the stalk is so we can give commentary if pursuing a car. Quite frustrating not to have a proper control panel for sirens like American police....

@KSSilenceAU

11 күн бұрын

@@MementoMori-xx5qo Could they not have 2 control stalks? One on each side of the wheel, one for Radio PTT and one for Siren control? Would think that would be a viable solution to the problem.

@noyesalright11

8 күн бұрын

@@MementoMori-xx5qowhat’s the phone thing on the passenger side of police cars? Often see in pursuits the passenger will give updates holding the phone rather than the radio?

My son was born with a condition that caused his airway to be very narrow. At 11 months old, he choked on some mashed cauliflower cheese, and despite all the training I'd had, he stopped breathing. Between my GP, whose surgery we thankfully lived 2 doors from, the amazing and kind ambulance team, and the incredibly fast action of a traffic police team, my son was eventually resuscitated, taken at high speed through rush hour evening traffic, which had been held up and moved to one side at a notorious traffic light junction by the police, to the nearest hospital. It was an incredible team effort that meant my son was breathing, he suffered no brain damage and made a full recovery. The paramedics were so calm, talking to me, asking questions, and at the same time relaying all the info to the hospital ET, coordinating the police traffic stop, and getting us all safely to the hospital in the shortest possible time. All those people were my heroes that evening, and I'll defend and applaud our emergency services until the day I die.

@pseud420

2 ай бұрын

Very happy to hear that your son is okay; major props to everyone involved including yourself. It's awesome to hear about these stories. Thanks for sharing!

@SeanGill01

2 ай бұрын

Tearing up while reading this. Super glad your son is okay, and thank you for sharing this. Hope you're having a great day.

Seeing this after watching some dascham footage channels and all of the atrocious driving, it is refreshing to see. Whilst we ordinary drivers do not always make the best decision in trying to assist emergency vehicles, it is good to see that UK drivers' hearts are still, by and large, in the right place. Not all vehicles in this video made the best decision perhaps, but I think that we can safely say that all did what they thought was right to give Chris' vehicle priority.

@KevinHorrox

2 ай бұрын

Except the white van man near the end, who overtook the car that was slowing in front because it was aware of Chris' presence, while the van was not 😂

@Jehty_

2 ай бұрын

​@@KevinHorrox5:41 just leaving that here in case someone missed it 😂

@mattkaythetimelord

2 ай бұрын

@@Jehty_ missed it, thanks for the timestamp, there's always one! :)

Saving lives while navigating UK roads full of potholes and drivers showing little awareness of their surroundings, that's a huge thank you from me!

I was watching this and thinking how it must feel to go through all that just to be stood down. Then it occurred to me that, imagine going though all that and still having to deal with a casualty at the end. Sir I doff my hat to you. Thank you so much for all the work you do

@bengoacher4455

2 ай бұрын

In this case the stand down was due to the patient recovering somewhat from their seizure. I cant bare to think what it's like being stood down for the other reason.

@chrisbaker8014

2 ай бұрын

Well, the patient recovering well is the outcome everyone wants. I imagine it's more a relief. Plus now he's available for the next person who needs critical help.

There’s always one a-hole, and they’re normally in a white van. This video didn’t disappoint. Great driving. P.S., I once saw somebody in a car do what the pillock in the white van does at #5.47 in this clip - that is, pulls around a vehicle that was slowing to let the emergency vehicle go by, and obviously not bothering to look in the rear-view mirrors. But the incident I witnessed saw an ambulance almost sideswiped onto the opposite footpath, by an idiot driving without due care and attention. Many more of these clowns needs prosecuting.

@Jehty_

2 ай бұрын

5:41

Felt like I was watching the first couple mins on loop with the amount of people who stopped on a blind bend.

@Demun1649

2 ай бұрын

Without pulling as far left as they could go.

@alyx6427

2 ай бұрын

@@Demun1649nah ur supposed to carry on until they can safely pass, otherwise you essentially force them to pass blindly

@Demun1649

2 ай бұрын

@@alyx6427 And, of course, for you defence councils, passing a driveway entrance is not a place to pull into?

Oh that thump as you hit one of those dreadful speed humps on Turnpike Lane.... 😦Great drive as always.

I love the addition of the bottom left eye-view camera but miss seeing your face. The concentration you shown by your expressions in previous videos is outstanding.

A masterclass in advanced driving.

With that title I was waiting for a speedbump or pothole to take out the Audi.

@David_Crayford

2 ай бұрын

Me too! Was worried there would be damage. Keeps us in suspense.

My comments:- 1) Some nice use of Exemptions. 2) New camera I didn't get much from; mostly an awareness that the Audi has a flat-bottom wheel. 3) Good stand down call; patient confidentiality maintained but we got to hear the message.

New camera angle is great!

You really are amongst the best of us, thank you for all you do!

Just started with the Ambulance Service myself recently, so informative watching your videos and a good watch too!

great video once again, amazing driving skills on your part and great reaction from the other drivers. all the best from germany to you

Great new camera angle. It really shows the concentration going on and the many moving parts to the drive. It’s just magical to watch the skill and ease as you navigate your way through.

I always admire your skill. So well done, under pressure.

Absolutely impeccable piece of driving!

Great video. Loving the different angles

phenominal skills there chris, keep up the amazing work.

Loving the camera setup...great quality!

the rear mirror view, and the driver view really adds to what you see vs us mounted on the dash, i understand your decisions more now because of what i see on drivers side view.

Great video as always Chris

Loving the head camera POV chris, definitely a good idea

Holy .... I know some of those roads a little and I still missed some of the side roads watching for vehicles pulling out until you were right on them and my heart rate went up and the right foot twitched more than a few times with some of the squeaky spots there. All I can say is, you must have nerves of ice not to have a bit of a jolt of adrenaline there, guess you are concentrating too hard to be affected as much - kudos for being so calm and smooth.

I love the offsiding and the pull push technique in this video.

Love the new camera angles 💯

Love the new POV!

Was worried, but good to hear the ending.

I love the pov view. I did think the pov view would be the full screen view lol but it is still awesome.

I suppose a stand down, because its not serious ,is better than standing down to patient deceased. Great videos as always Chris.

Just started my CERAD course...so excited to start blue light running! 😁

Honestly based on the title thought you didnt make it fast enough, but i can see you drove well, and it was a radio call that stood you down. you're amazing at driving and reacting to all situations! and can only presume your the same on scene!

Great video as always chris, thank you for your service 👍 🙏

Epic driving skills

It takes a special person to do your job. We are all extremely greatful for ultimately putting everything on the line in order to respond quickly. EMS drivers should get a free Bentley and driver after service 😂

The more I see people making choices, the more I feel like a genious.. And I'm no genious, not by any means. Get out of the way by keeping your speed up till there is room (and visibility) for him to get by.. Stopping randomly in the middle of the road hinders more than it helps. AND INDICATE

@nicolajaynehodson9223

2 ай бұрын

position,m signal and speed are the 3 things an Emergency driver is lookingfor whn someone is lettign them through and that Speed is Slowing right down or stopping, not a half hearted slow down that closes the gap with oncoming vehicles

Like being in it for real, super controlled, and safe driving

Quality Chris.

Thanks for another great video Chris, i really like the new camera angles. I was wondering if you'd consider bringing back captions like you used to do on your older videos? I really liked getting an insight into whats going through your mind and why you're doing the things you do. Either way keep up the good work!

I like the new layout. Only tweak I would make is to move the speed towards bottom centre where it is more visible, if technically possible. But it does look clearer than before.

Could you do an updated car tour? Really interested to see how you’ve integrated all your kit!

Hitchin to Shefford via Henlow many times driven that route lucky it was quite

Love the camera angle! Can't hear the engine so much in this however.

I thought i recognised the roads. Turn out, i was right. Used to live in the area. I dunno, feels wierd to see a place you used to be in 14 years after so many years. The pub at 04:30 is great, for any viewers in the Henlow area. At least it was when i lived in the area.

Some of those speeds in the country lanes give me chills. Horses, kids on bikes...

@keithbird6663

2 ай бұрын

Precisely why he leaves such margins for error or hazards. Long sight lines, very early planning and no excess speed when visibility reduced.

Great Video as always! Bit of a random question.. When you guys get told to stand down, What happens then? do you work from a station or do you "roam" in a designated district? Or do you supposed to stay in the area you at?

@techheck3358

2 ай бұрын

Since he’s on call, I assume he can go back to doing his own business

It amazes me how some motorists pull in and the vehicle behind then passes before realising why the other vehicle pulled in. Its happened to me when I've seen blue lights (either direction) and pulled into a safe area to allow space and a following vehicle decides to pass me, then realises why I stopped and then stops causing a blockage.

Just seen you on Emergency Helicopter Medics. Channel 4 8pm in the UK

Wow !!👍

After seeing countless runs from you where all the other motorists seem to be unusually on the ball, it makes a change to see some far more "average" ones. The ones that get a silent mutter of "not there you numpty" Maybe it is because you turned left at that first mini-roundabout instead of the more usual right turn?

Enlightening video as always - your driving skills and awareness are top notch. A question if I may (both to Chris and commentators), why do NHS trusts (and some fire services to be fair) use unmarked vehicles rather than one with full livery for certain officers? Is it that the vehicle is just on loan from the supplier; a cost cutting exercise - no livery and light bars = no cost; or something else. My thought is that if you have an unmarked vehicles with blues screaming along, 90% of UK drivers will assume it's plod traffic division or a Trojan unit, and thereby a little panic/hesitation may kick in. Surely liveried vehicles for NHS/Fire is the more sensible option?

@matthewleggott

2 ай бұрын

You will find many responders in fire and some ambulance areas will respond from home as part of their duties and as such are personal cars or a lease scheme. Doesn't look good rocking up to Tesco and doing your shopping or nipping out for a take away in a livered car. Some roles require discretion so hence no livery and these days LED lighting fitted covertly is just as good as having a lightbar but cheaper also uses less fuel than having that sat on top of a vehicle. You will find in ambulance many like this who are volunteers working on a first respodner scheme who will bring their day job skills to this arena in a voluntary role but can use their blue light experience to get to patients quicker than public responders. Different areas do it differently. Yes 90% of people may thing its the old bill but regardless all blue light should be treated the same. Many will panic and hesitate regardless as soon as they see the blue lights and sirens marked or unmarked, hopefully videos like this will raise the awareness of things like stopping/slowing on corners/blind bends as seen in some of the other videos. Many ambulance vehicles are marked but its when your specialisms come into place you find the unmarked bits on the road. Some fire brigades provide pool cars for their staff but will have minimal markings and others go the full hog.

@user-ig1xo3om2x

2 ай бұрын

I can't give a full answer but I know local to me ambulance and fire service have some pool Battenburgs for senior staff on call from home to use.

@kovoshadowclaw

2 ай бұрын

Urban response, Its a quicker method of getting critical care out to the victims that need it most.

@ianzthingz1

2 ай бұрын

The vehicle is also Chris's personal one, hence unmarked, he pays a portion of the lease cost and associated taxes.

@mstevens113

2 ай бұрын

​@@matthewleggottalso don't want a marked ambulance service car sitting around for hours unattended in public car parks etc. They get broken into by vermin looking for drugs. Unmarked cars for on call staff are less vulnerable.

hands view is interesting

Must be hard to suddenly go back to driving normally after that stand down call.

Not sure if got the windscreen treated, but I'd highly recommend RainX - you can basically drive in a torrential downpour without needing wipers. There's a screen wash version too. Exemplary driving as always 👍

@Hirotoro4692

2 ай бұрын

I personally think Aquapel is far superior but that's just me

How have you managed with the potholes especially at speed ? I hope you don’t encounter any bad ones, keep safe and thank you for your sevice you mean a lot to us 🇬🇧👍

@David_Crayford

2 ай бұрын

I hope he's got run-flat tyres, or something.

Was that another Red coming in at the end as soon as you were stood down?

I could be wrong but are you changing the tone of the sirens on the stick rather than pressing the horn?

sometimes I feel you'd get there quicker if they DON'T see you coming. "don't be polite, be predictable"

Even you dont operate the van , how do u feel when people stop to let u go on B road where there no space to get out of the way? Would rather have them go a consistent speed or become standstill?

You don't half give the car some punishment Chris. Wondering how often it has suspension and brakes inspected and any thoughts on uprated tyre and brake pad choice to withstand the stresses and for increased safety margin?

Great channel learning alot on how to react iv a question have u been on a call where u have needed police out riders fir traffic management to get to a hospital faster and wht was that like

@David_Crayford

2 ай бұрын

Just as an observer I have seen bikes do that in the Netherlands on YT. But I think it's rare in the UK unless you are a VIP or a heavy load. Not sure we have many bikes?

5:42. Shocking form the van.

I'm interested by the speed bumps. I assume the car just has a very good suspension system to handle going over them at a high speed?

Chris, I'm not sure about where the Skoda VRS is. Someone told me you still have it and others say you don't but is there any chance you know the name of that little lightbar thing on the roof of the VRS?

This is how people drive normally where I live

Like the new POV, interesting drive. Why is it always van drivers ( is it a lack of vision, or to much of a rush to the next delivery? )

@David_Crayford

2 ай бұрын

They are under pressure. Their skill is usually in their trade rather than driving. They have calls coming in asking why they are late and what's gone wrong; and all this while trying to play Popmaster.

How are you controlled in the siren? You don’t use the horn on this vehicle?

@anoldfogeysfun

2 ай бұрын

A while ago now he made a request to have the car put in to have the sirens changed from the horn action to its own separate system - which now looks like its controlled by a stalk under the steering wheel within fingertip range . . .

It always seems like it would be so fun to drive like this on the road but tbh i bet its not, i bet its risky.

giggle 1000th like

Just a quick one, are RRV/ FRV allowed to exceed the 20 above posted limit on a BLR or does it go by cat of the call? Just curious as I'm looking at doing my CERAD and been told that ambulances are only allowed to do 20 over posted limit and max speed is 90 on a motorway/DCW on blues and sirens

@NickF14

2 ай бұрын

Trust policy may differ with a "twenty is plenty" or "double is trouble" rule. Ultimately, the exemption provided to us as blue light drivers is that we are exempt from the speed limit - by law you can drive at whatever speed you feel is safe and justifiable and a trust cannot argue with that, merely quote policy and deal with it internally. Ultimately your CERAD will be based on making safe progress, not driving quickly. You'll struggle to get a box much past 90 on any type of road unless you're downhill or have a good tailwind..

@chrispop99

2 ай бұрын

I believe Chris has posted before that it depends on local rules. I thought it was +30 in most areas.

@NickF14

2 ай бұрын

@@chrispop99 Local rules in what respect? Per trust / service? My previous ambulance trust had a +50% CAP as a guideline, over the posted limit. Not it was a guideline and they were aware it cannot be enforced above internal reprimand for "breaching policy". The police force I now work for - have no internal policy on speed - other than that we are held accountable, must be able to justify it and can be pulled up on it at any point.

@chrispop99

2 ай бұрын

@@NickF14Per trust was my understanding.

@NickF14

2 ай бұрын

@@chrispop99 Ah yes - 100% different trusts will give guidelines, recommendations, CAPs, whatever term they fancy to govern the standards of driving. Ultimately if it's justifiable and proportionate to the incident details then you shouldn't get into trouble. My general view is that the greater the level of benefit your attendance / intervention, the greater the level of risk generally accepted tends to be.

Excellent driving skills - I've held a UK Licence for 40 years and only really feel this competent after many thousands of miles. One point and that is you seem to have to travel a long distance for a call...are EMS resources that stretched?

@David_Crayford

2 ай бұрын

1. Yes. 2. In a low population density area there are fewer people, more miles and less tax income than a city to support any service.

The ambulance car must have electronic suspension if he can go over those speed bumps without slowing down.

Great vid but suggestion, I would prefer if you made the pov bigger and have dash cam smaller just my preference PoV gives us more of feel

Hitting that speed cushion in the beginning of the video at 51 MPH must've taken at least a month off the car's life span, yikes

@chrisr25071

Ай бұрын

Yes it must be km/h and not mph.

1:37, fastest Vauxhall Viva in Britain! 😂

Where is that?

This (day's) driving seemed more "aggressive" than usual.

I see you've switched the siren control from the horn to a side switch, I would be interested in hearing your reasoning why

@Shamus.shammy

2 ай бұрын

He did state previously it was due to the horn sounding aggressive when changing tones, it also wasn’t as fast at changing said tones

@anoldfogeysfun

2 ай бұрын

He got it swapped out more for late night work than during the day drives - as people are used to hearing sirens all day long, even when asleep and it rarely wakes them . . . but having to tap the horn to keep changing the tome at various places at night can actually wake people up if too loud or being used too much . . .

I'm not from the UK, but I am wondering 1) Why are some medic cars unmarked? 2) How common are the unmarked medic units?

@kovoshadowclaw

2 ай бұрын

Urban response/ trauma doctors, its so they can get to scenes quicker without hassle.

@NickF14

2 ай бұрын

They are unmarked as they are their every day personal vehicles which they would do the shopping in. Normally ambulance response vehicles are marked, but for managers who can respond from home / respond in an on call capacity, they will usually be provided with an unmarked, blue light capable vehicle.

@busukevm8288

2 ай бұрын

@@NickF14 makes sense. In the states a lot of police departments have unmarked cars as part of their fleets, Ive just never seen anything other than police vehicles unmarked. Thank you for the information

@busukevm8288

2 ай бұрын

@@kovoshadowclaw thank you

@NickF14

2 ай бұрын

@@busukevm8288 No worries! :)

Is your car’s suspension modified to cope with speed bumps taken at high speed?

@ChrisMartinEMS

8 күн бұрын

No its all just stock.... unfortunately :)

It throws me when the rear camera is mirrored.

Some of those roads looked VERY "greasy", you know the type that catches out a lot of poor (quality) drivers and ends up with you on a call.

even a foot more of shoulder could go a long way on some of these roads

Surprised you have any suspension left after driving that quick on UK PotHole roads!

At about 58 seconds, you cross double solid lines. This is not me trying to be clever. No one at risk. If you had an accident further in in the drive, how far back into the drive do they pull the vehicle cctv? This is a reflection on my own peactice. Interested in your thoughts?

@Jehty_

2 ай бұрын

Is crossing a double white line something they are not allowed to do? Would feel strange to me if that was true?!

@Dust76tr

2 ай бұрын

@@Jehty_no exemptions for double whites. In that regard, they’re the same as any other road user. Can pass stationary vehicles, or a bicycle etc which is travelling at 10mph or less.

Amazing driving, bloody awful roads. How much does the poor road surface affect your ability to make progress, and have you had any nasty punctures or suspension damage from hitting potholes at high speeds?

@anoldfogeysfun

2 ай бұрын

Yes, he's had a puncture in the past when going to a call on one of his videos . . . any others may not have been while he was filming? - The poorer the road quality just means driving at a slower speed for safety . . . the main issue we drivers have in the UK now are too many potholes, speed bumps and dual humps that are everywhere! They only slow down normal drivers though, while the usual speeders and idiots will still not slow down for them anyway . . . Even where I live with the new 20 MPH safety limit rule on our local streets and roads - they're still quite happy to go between 30-50 MPH on them . . .

And to think people volunteer with Search and Rescue teams thinking they'll be permitted to drive like this (You Won't!) ... They must need their heads examined.... I know you are used to it but that looks really stressful.

:)

I’d love to know how often this cars in for repair after hitting those speed humps at 50 plus mph and the amount of pot holes you hit at speed (the roads suck but not your driving great as always) but car must need repairs weekly 😂

A touch out of sync, but I like the driver pov :)

Awesome driving and its so good to hear your sirens all they way through this , I see so many ambulances with lights flashing and only putting sirens on last minute when right ontop of traffic so dangerous when you have the sun in your rear view or eyes then when the cars arent quick enough you see the driver getting shirty. sorry but as far as im concerned if it and amergancy and your speeding both lights and sirens should be on. but awesome video, awesome driving,, I have nothing but admiration for the job you do

@nicolajaynehodson9223

2 ай бұрын

Quite clear you do not understand what Sirens are meant to be used for sounding the siren is a instruction to another Road User to move out of the way

1:37 that van driver did a terrible job!!!

its was probably a traffic accident, since everyone drives on the wrong side...

Sadly not all EMS driver are this aware. I was driving my car on a bendy fast ‘A’ road to Salisbury with steep banks that would flip a car if hit. It was a rainy pitch dark night when an Ambulance with blues and twos came right up to literally half a car length behind. I couldn’t slow to let him past and there was no place I could pull over. He was blasting his air horn repeatedly, but if I had braked he would have reported me as a ‘brake check’ and probably hit me. So all I could do was keep my speed up for him and nit panic, until a straight section opened up…THEN he blasted past and ‘cut in’ to punish me, so close I had to brake firmly to avoid a hit. All he needed to have done was give me a sufficient separation to enable me to brake and let him by, but no. It ended up costing him time and a lot of stress on me, he needed retraining imo. Now this EMS driver could have been rushing to save a life…but how sensible is that if he had caused a life taking RTA in his rush.

dont understand your channel, are you a medic or police officer???

@chrisr25071

Ай бұрын

I think he is a doctor, who uses his private car to get to emergencys where a doctor is needed, mostly in life threatening situations where paramedics can‘t help.

Bedfordshire roads almost as bad as Northamptonshire roads… who maintains them? Kier does northants roads and a terrible job they do of it.

@Mike_5

2 ай бұрын

Kier are quite proud of their incompetency in maintaining Northamptonshire roads and have been allocated a large chunk of ex HS2 cash to prove it even more now

Looks like an automatic