UAE nationals train with ambulance paramedics in USA

The trip was part of the curriculum in partnership with Harrisburg Area Community College, USA.

This was the second group of UAE national paramedic students to complete this intensive international training.

The training in the USA provided the UAE students with practical experience to work with an advanced life support ambulance services, something not available in the UAE which presently uses basic life support ambulances.

Working alongside American paramedics allowed the students to perform life saving skills at the scene of an illness or injury or in the back of the ambulance en-route to the hospital.

One student, Ahmed Abdulhakim Saleh from Dubai, successfully resuscitated an elderly gentleman who collapsed in cardiac arrest during the first week of June. Ahmed was the team leader for the call and performed most of the advanced level procedures and treatments under the supervision of his paramedic preceptor. The man survived the incident and Ahmed was given a high recommendation by his preceptor.

'I am finally able to practice what I studied for three years in Dubai,'

said Ahmed.

All of the students expressed hope that one day this advanced level of ambulance care will be available for the people in the UAE. The program and the international trip are sponsored by the Dubai Police Headquarters and Human Resources Department and endorsed by the Ambulance Services Center of Dubai.