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“Besides the green uniforms, it’s the amazing people I work with that I enjoy most,” Rory says. “You’re surrounded by people who genuinely care.”

On this call, the information was limited: a rough location, a patient’s name and age, and a report of an injury at the beach. It wasn’t until they arrived that the full picture became clear: a stingray barb had penetrated the patient’s abdomen.

“It’s the first time I’ve attended a penetrating trauma from an animal that wasn’t a dog or a bee,” Rory says. “I’d like to say it’s quite rare, but with rising ocean temperatures it may be becoming more frequent.”

First priorities on scene

No matter the call, Rory’s first focus is always safety.

“My first priorities on any job are potential risks and dangers. Luckily for us, the assailant had already fled the scene,” he jokes.

With the immediate threat gone, attention turned fully to the patient. In the pre-hospital setting, paramedics don’t have access to the diagnostic tools a hospital does.

“Of course, it's not possible to have an x-ray machine in the back of the ambulance”, Rory explains. “Sometimes we’re able to use ultrasound but most of the time we work off the mechanism of injury, the severity of shock and what we can see and feel through physical examination.”

Understanding how the injury happened and what damage it might have caused internally guides every decision. Penetrating trauma to the abdomen carries a risk of internal bleeding and organ damage, so careful assessment and swift transport are critical.

And yes, sometimes that means sacrificing a wetsuit.

“Good quality shears were pretty important,” Rory says with a grin. “We had to cut off the patient’s brand-new wetsuit. Sorry, mate.”

Calm under pressure

When asked what keeps him steady in high-pressure moments, Rory doesn’t hesitate.

“Knowing that I can depend on my colleagues when it matters most.”

Clear communication on scene meant tasks were delegated quickly and efficiently. That teamwork reduced the time spent treating the patient in a damp, cold environment and ensured faster transport to definitive care in hospital.

“Our communication was responsible for task delegation, resulting in less time spent exposed and quicker transport,” he says.

It’s that shared trust that makes the unpredictable nature of the job manageable.

“For me, the most challenging part is not knowing what you’re going to next,” Rory says. “There are common types of callouts we attend the most, but there’s never any real routine. Everything has the potential to change when you’re working in an ambulance.”

Being prepared for the unknown

Preparation for Rory starts long before the siren sounds.

“It’s a bit cliché, but exercise, sleep and eating well is where it all starts for me,” he says. “And having the right attitude and being willing to learn, improve and show empathy and humility when needed.”

Training for rare emergencies like this one isn’t about memorising every possible scenario. It’s about building strong foundations.

“You’re never going to be an expert in all fields,” Rory says. “But having a great understanding of the basics is what really matters and has the biggest impact on patient outcomes.”

After the call

Once the patient was safely handed over to hospital care, there was a moment to pause and reflect.

For Rory, calls like this are a reminder of how quickly an ordinary day can take an unexpected turn and how important it is to be ready for whatever comes next.

“It reinforces why preparation matters,” he says. “You rely on your training, your judgement and the people around you.”

Behind every unusual or high-pressure job is a team working together with a shared focus: patient care.

For Rory, it always comes back to people, the patients they meet on some of their hardest days and colleagues standing beside him. In a role where all you might start with is a location, a name and a brief description, it’s preparation, trust and teamwork that make all the difference.