By: Siyean Paek, COO
The sacrifices made by medical personnel have been in no shortage this year. Aside from the rigorous schedule that most physicians are faced with in this global pandemic, the world’s sympathetic MDs have been risking their lives in a place other than their local hospitals: the streets of protest. On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a 25-year old father and husband, was killed unjustly in Minneapolis, Minnesota- another unfortunate, heartwrenching case of racial profiling that ended with murder and no retribution to the police officers reponsible for the crime. America then realized, in horror, that this murder was amongst hundreds of other disregarded cases in the “post-racial era”, the Black Lives Matter movement emerged to combat the injustice in our system. From this movement, America has been filled with nationwide riots and thousands of dauntless individuals fighting for justice on the streets. Besides the courageous men and women who sacrifice their time and lives for the Black Lives Matter movement, our streets are also occupied with red-crossed, dauntless humanitarians who are willing to brave the frontlines and serve protestors in the most stressful times of predicaments. These individuals are known as street medics.
The History of Street Medics
When examining the history of street medics and how such a benevolent group came about, it is no surprise to see their establishment occur during the Civil Rights movement: the last time in US history that violent riots and demonstrations have occurred so rampantly on account of race. As many activists were injured in their fight for the end of discrimination, medical professionals (who were activists themselves) took up the task of aiding all civil rights workers and providing basic first aid to those critically wounded in the streets. As the fight for the Civil Rights movement abated, street medics began outreaching to other communities in need whilst developing a separate set of skills and ethics required for this unique occupation. Throughout the years, street medics have offered their services in disaster areas and poverty-ridden countries as protests became less common. Certain notable events that have incorporated street medics in their aid globally are Haiti’s devastating earthquake in 2010, Greek’s uprising in 2008, and the Arab Spring. Historically, they have also been seen offering their services in the American Indian Movement, Black Panther community programs, and other revolutionary domestic events.
Steps to Becoming a Street Medic
2020, however, has prompted the return of street medics in our most severe times of trouble. As many first responders have difficulty locating wounded protestors in the chaos of the riots, attending activists with medical knowledge have volunteered to become street medics. These medics can vary from retired EMTS to medical students to even practicing acupuncturists. As previous experience may vary, they are required to complete a 20-28 hour training instructed by medical professionals followed by a short-term shadowing under an experienced street medic at the actual site. Throughout this process, they are also instructed to develop and maintain a relationship with the community in order to be informed of the location and demographics of the riot. As injuries in protests are unpredictable, some street medics may receive additional training in order to cure and calm the patient with specific injuries. However, they are not alone in this daunting endeavor. In terms of a street medic’s relationships with other physicians, street medics work closely with EMTs and paramedics as they meticulously relay all information about the patient’s wounds to the subsequent physician. As a volunteer, all street medics are assigned to a group of about 4-16 people designated by their community. Through this system, street medics are able to provide quality treatment to more patients with a plethora of varying skills. The structure also allows them to build upon each other’s support (both physically and mentally) and ideas in order to provide the most optimal and efficient care they can for their patients. These small groups have evolved throughout the years into mature organizations that collect donations with a verified cause and are seen heroically saving demonstrators throughout the nation today. Some organizations that you can support in the modern Black Lives Matter movement are the Chicago Action Medical in Chicago, IL, Central Ohio Street Medic Collective in Columbus, OH, and Boston Area Liberation Medic Squad in Boston, MA.
What do Street Medics do?
Aside from tending to casualties on the streets, street medics can also be found educating thousands on the internet- preparing all activists for what to expect amid the violent commotion and advising them to bring necessities (i.e. water, snacks, and inhalers/ insulin) and avoid things that can hinder their reflexes or their ability to run (i.e. drugs and alcohol). They have also educated protestors on specific ways they can mitigate the detrimental effects of weapons independently. This entails endorsing a method in which one uses a particular mix of chemicals (instead of milk) to counter the effects of certain chemicals in pepper sprays and advising against wearing contacts in the riots as it may trap harmful chemicals. At the front, street medics tackle a diverse array of injuries: dehydration, heat strokes, eye injuries resulting from pepper spray, tear gas injuries, rubber bullet wounds, and broken bones among others. However, in severe situations in which the patient sustains a broken bone or a lack of pulse, street medics immediately alert the police and are limited to basic treatments such as CPR and resetting until physicians with the proper equipment arrive. After these protests, street medics follow up with the protesters. Street medics, aside from working in the frenzy, may be found working endless hours in jails as they continue to tend to protestors who were unable to fully recover in the demonstration. When arrested, street medics will also advise all protestors to remain level headed as much as possible as prison guards and correction officers have scientifically been proven to be more verbally and physically abusive in hostile environments. In addition to warning protestors and other communities of the possible perils of protests, they also stress the importance of their emotional wellbeing. As they provide insight on how emotional trauma or an adrenaline rush may negatively affect a person’s health, they emphasize the need for all protesters to rest for a few days after the event. Street medics will also advise protestors to seek medical attention or consult someone if mental health is a problem further down the road, whether it be a recurring nightmare or severe PTSD.
Duties and Responsibilities
Street medics are also responsible for all resources donated to protests along with all their other aforementioned duties. From maintaining the limited supply to contemplating how to utilize all supplies productively, they are required to make a lot of critical decisions in a short span of time. Basic resources they are responsible for restocking and dispensing are eye flush bottles, sterile gauze sponges, sealed hand-wipes, mineral oil bottle, liquid antacid and water (LAW) bottle, airway adjuncts, and more.
However chaotic riots may be, street medics are still held accountable to a plethora of rules and ethical principles, including the following:
- do not charge for services
- do not provide prescription medication
- do not violate HIPAA laws or break patient confidentiality
- do not persuade patients to support your personal opinion or receive your services
- do not refuse services to anyone when on duty, no matter your personal opinions
- uphold the Good Samaritan laws (never willfully harm someone or act without their permission)
- And above all else, NEVER abandon the patient
Such strict and possibly lethal regulations demonstrate the risks and amount of sacrifice street medics take when volunteering for this job. When you see street medics, whether in the protests of BLM movement or after earthquakes, please express your gratitude for these global heroes who often sacrifice their own mental and physical health for yours. If you are a protester in the year 2020, stay safe and look out for a street medic whenever you need medical attention. Simply call out "medic!" or look for a person with a red cross on their clothes and you will be served.
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