'Normal or numb', an enduring question in Prehospital Care with Carl Betts. Blog Post 4

In this episode, we speak with Carl, one of our podcast co-hosts, about his deeply reflective article, ‘Normal or numb – that is the question, but what is the answer!’  Carl shares the personal experience that inspired the piece, attending a call to a deceased patient, which triggered a cascade of questions about emotional detachment, coping strategies, and the long-term impact of repeated exposure to trauma in paramedicine.

We unpack the central dilemma: are we becoming resilient or simply numb? Carl reflects on the gradual shift in his emotional responses and the silent build-up of stress that so many frontline clinicians experience. We explore how this detachment can protect us in the short term but risks leading to burnout, fractured personal lives, and professional disengagement.

The conversation also delves into the importance of early recognition, peer support, and thoughtful leadership responses. Carl’s reflections have also been transcribed into an AI-narrated blog post so that you can listen to his story word-for-word.

This is a powerful and honest conversation about the emotional cost of the job and an urgent call to reflect before the pressure boils over.

This episode is brought to you by IndieBase.

IndieBase is the smart, simple, and budget-friendly Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system designed specifically for the demands of HEMS and pre-hospital care. Whether you're responding solo, working within a flexible team, or managing care across a larger organisation, IndieBase is built to support you. It runs seamlessly on laptops, tablets, or smartphones, and crucially, it operates offline, ensuring you can document care wherever you are, even in the most remote environments. Developed from the proven platform of HEMSbase by Medic One Systems, IndieBase offers a familiar, intuitive interface with the rock-solid reliability clinicians need. It's ready for everything from festival medical cover to high-acuity critical care transfers.

Key features include full integration with all major pre-hospital monitors, case review, and clinical governance modules, making it an ideal solution for teams preparing for CQC registration. A patient feedback module also helps drive service improvement and meaningful engagement. For clinicians working across multiple organisations, IndieBase provides a personal logbook that combines your data and links directly with your existing HEMSbase logbook.

IndieBase EPR made simple, wherever you are.

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