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JoshGreen
RESPONDER
Watching other guys with the
knowledge and skills to save lives
inspiredme to join the organisation,
knowing that I am now able to do
the samewhen the need arises.
I am currently a medic with a BLS
qualification - this stands for “Basic
Life Support” and I’m busy with
studies to become an ILS, “Intermediate Life Support” which
should hopefully happen by the end of the year.
I think each and every one of us has a unique and special job
within the Hatzolah environment. I make a point of being
available during the day when I can and I try to respond where
and when available. Our efficiency comes from the level of skills
we all have and then the support and structure of the
organisation.We have some of the latest technology in EMS, as a
team we are highly trained and our training is constantly being
maintained and kept up to date with new protocols, technology
etc. We are a group of brothers on the road, constantly looking
out for each other.
In addition, every call is rewarding knowing that I potentially
saved a life. There isn't any specific call that stands out but the
general appreciation one receives after helping someone in
need is truly themost rewarding.
The internal side of Hatzolah is also something which is amazing
to be part of; we are constantly being appreciated by the
Hatzolah family from braai evenings to team builders and to our
end of year appreciation dinner, nothing is ever toomuch for the
team.
Eli Lewenstein
DISPATCHER&RESPONDER
Froma young age I’ve always had a passion
for emergency medicine. At 16, I started
volunteering at Milpark trauma unit and
volunteering on private ambulance
services. Since I had such a strong passion
for emergency medicine, there was no
better place to join an emergency service
helping the Jewish community.
I am a volunteer Intermediate Life Support paramedic,
dispatcher and a Basic Life Support CPR Instructor Registered
under the American Heart Association and Resuscitation Council
of South Africa. I volunteer in the ambulance on night shifts
during the week and on weekends as well as when time allows
during the day. Being in Hatzolah for almost 9 years and a senior
responder, it is also my responsibility and passion to teach
younger responders out on the road. As a CPR instructor I
instruct CPR classes to the public/community as CPR is vital to
saving lives. I enjoy teaching these classes.
It is extremely rewarding being part of Hatzolah and knowing
that the work that we do makes a difference to the community.
Being part of Hatzolah for many years and gaining experience
makesme ready to deal with any situation that comes about.
Based on the Hatzolah model, we differ from other services in
how we operate which enables us to get the quickest response
times possible by having 50 people in and around Johannesburg
with their cars fully stocked with life saving equipment. In a time
of emergency it’s not only the person who the emergency is for
that is affected but the family as well and Hatzolah paramedics
make sure that not only does the patient get the best care
possible but also that he/she is comfortable and that the family is
put at ease by Hatzolah being compassionate and caring as well
towards them.
I think every call that I go out to is rewarding because you know
you’ve made a difference to someone’s life, not necessarily by
just saving their life but also you’ve helped and comforted a
person at their time of need. The most rewarding feeling is
actually seeing someone who was clinically dead and you go visit
them a few days later in ICU and they are talking to you. I once
responded to a call at a restaurant where someone was eating a
piece of meat and started choking on it. When we arrived, which
was about two minutes after receiving the call, we found the
patient had collapsed on the, was blue in the face and was not
breathing due to the piece of meat obstructing his airway. We
used special forceps to remove the piece of meat and the patient
started breathing again normally. He then said he didn’t want to
go to hospital because he was breathing properly again but we
managed to convince him just in case there had been damage
caused. In situations like this you have minutes before it is too
late. Luckily we had responded quickly and the patient survived.
With calls like these it motivates you to carry on and do more
calls as you clearly see a difference beingmade.
