This is one of the things I don't get and it scares me away from following the career. I don't know if I could handle a 13 hour shift, paperwork, drive home, eat, sleep, shower just to do it all over again. I presume, like usual, it's a lack of paramedics on duty that makes it happen. Two random questions: What make of boots do you wear? (just curious) I'm a first aider and this always confuses me - lets say someone slips on a stair and hurts their ankle. I'm not sure if it's broken or sprained - what would be the best way of treating it and as it's a public building, should we call an ambulance if we aren't sure if its broken or not? I'm now hoping I don't sound rather hopeless...