After a 32-hour shift in Pittsburgh, I realized EMTs should be napping on the job

A paramedic and university professor shares data about how strategic napping could help his own health while saving the lives of others.

By: P. Daniel Patterson, University of Pittsburgh, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: February 20, 2026

Words: 1,054

Last Updated: 1 day, 11 hours ago

Body Text Preview

By P. Daniel Patterson, University of Pittsburgh

At 7 a.m., roughly an hour before the end of my shift as a paramedic in Pittsburgh, my colleague and I were dispatched to a patient who was violently vomiting and not alert. We arrived within 10 minutes, grabbed our gear and approached the front door.

While walking up the front steps, I couldn’t help but notice my legs ached and my head hurt − more pressure than …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

Email Us