We work four 12 hour shifts in a row before we have a rest day, these may be days or nights, and as you have seen, these are usually closer to 13 or 14 hours shifts. When you are on a run of shifts like this you don't plan anything at all in your life, or agree to anything as we inevitably end up letting people down. We have absolutely no control over what time we get off; it is entirely out of our control. This is why the divorce rate amongst ambulance staff is so high. It's hard to have a life. If you would really kill to be a paramedic, then do it. It's the best and worst job in the world but I'd not do anything else.......knackered knees, battered back, scrapped social life, screwed up sleep pattern and all!!