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  • The Dark Side, Part 2

  • Real Life Accounts of an NHS Paramedic: The Traumatic, the Tragic, and the Tearful
  • By: Andy Thompson
  • Narrated by: Pete Nottage
  • Length: 5 hrs and 25 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (76 ratings)

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The Dark Side, Part 2

By: Andy Thompson
Narrated by: Pete Nottage
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Summary

Following up on his well-received first book, Andy Thompson provides another captivating, thought-provoking, and at times intense glimpse into the daily life of a paramedic working in the UK's National Health Service. In the style of his first book, Andy recalls each event from the detailed documentation recorded at the time. Each account is written in a way that puts the listener right there next to him, so you live the events in real time. You'll hear the dialogue between paramedics, patients, their loved ones, and other health-care professionals as it would have been. You'll also share in Andy's thought processes during each of the 10 very different situations he encounters.

The term "the dark side" describes the frontline emergency aspect of the ambulance service, since paramedics frequently experience somber situations. In The Dark Side, Part 2, you will share in some truly traumatic, tragic, and tearful events involving a seemingly healthy young patient, a prison inmate, the victims of a horrific car crash, heart attacks, a frightening epileptic fit, the alarming effects of an allergic reaction, and what can happen when under-strain doctors prescribe the wrong medications. But there's still room for lighthearted moments and a taste of the sometimes dark humor that allows paramedics to continually deal with events most of us would find too horrific.

The detail in the descriptions of the care given to each patient on-scene by Andy and his colleagues will have you marveling at the ability of these health-care professionals to work at such speed of thought, buying enough time to deliver a patient into the specialist hands of hospital care. There are inevitably also those times when tears of hope turn to tears of despair for loved ones. You cannot feel that pain until it happens to you, but this book will bring you mighty close to it at times.

©2014 Andy Thompson (P)2015 Andy Thompson
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What listeners say about The Dark Side, Part 2

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second book had to listen

After listening to the dark side book 1 I had to listen to this one also, once again informative, educational and overall a very good listen. Thank you once again Andy

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

FIRST CLASS, FIRST AID.

This has been a fantastic [continuing] account of one branch of our 'Blue Light' services. I have thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook from start to finish, if enjoying is the right phrase. It certainly held my interest throughout.

I have been a passenger in more than one ambulance, and I cannot praise them enough. Even when off duty, they have been willing to help out at road traffic collisions and other incidents. It was an off duty paramedic, who helped me following a serious crash, caused by a very drunk [repeat] drink-driver.

The stories within range from very funny, to the complete opposite in a well written and narrated series of accounts from the career of a professional.

I'll share one of my own experiences of being an ambulance patient.
During 1982, I injured my back whilst on duty as a Railway Signalman, at a remote, rural signal box.
Laying on the floor inside the cabin, I was just able to knock a telephone off the wall to contact the boxes on either side.
The next train was an express London Euston to Blackpool Nth, so it was warned to proceed at caution; and report what they found at the next box ahead. Luckily the Locomotive 'Second Man' checked I was OK, before continuing. and phoned for an ambulance for me, at the Station.

I have no idea how long it took, but eventually, I heard the ambulance arrive, and then came the footsteps getting closer.
The crew wanted to use a spinal board to move me, but for some reason, they didn't have one. So they had to radio for a second ambulance, to use theirs.

Cutting this short, I was eventually taken home on a stretcher later that day. During that night, the pain grew worse, and my GP had me rushed back to hospital early the next day. Of all crews to do it, it was the same one which first reached me, the day before. Just before leaving me, the second crew arrived [with another patient]; and on seeing their colleagues with me again, they started to make fun of them, for not having a spinal board. The second ambulance crew told me-
"If ever you need help again, then ask for us instead; to get it right".

No doubt, it took a while for the joke to wear down haha.
But my original crew were very good with me, and they were glad to get me quickly back into hospital, But I have had a bad back ever since that time, with lots of Traction.

But I have had quite a few ambulance trips since that time, and I have been impressed at the professionalism shown to me.
I look forward to hearing/reading more of this author's career. Thanks for sharing them with us.
Jack.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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great book

loved it just as good as book one please write another one

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Totally Riveting

My daughter book the first book and lent it to me loved it so much bought this second one on audible it was a fascinating read can't wait to any more xoxox

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Wow, just wow

What made the experience of listening to The Dark Side, Part 2 the most enjoyable?

The emotional journey - deeply engaging

What other book might you compare The Dark Side, Part 2 to, and why?

The only book I've heard like it was the previous. Otherwise I'd have to reference emergency services reality TV.

What does Pete Nottage bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

This was very well narrated. Very well. I usually only buy audiobooks for the convenience though - I can work and hear a good book at the same time.

Any additional comments?

Fantastic book, highly reccomended.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Good but too much repetition.

Good but there was a lot of repetition from “The Dark Side” book 1 and “The Lighter Side” books.

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    3 out of 5 stars

There are still better books than this

Overall 3/5

This book would have been infinitely improved by less repetition. Once you've heard all the basics once, listening to them every time starts to grate on your nerves. They also read as though they were being read as evidence in a court of law. Not chatty and informative but dull and informative.

Performance 2/5

The narrator would have markedly improved this book by a) not reading it at all or b) been giving a ticket for speeding by the police. Nice accent but ...

Story 3/5

As mentioned by another reviewer, this does rather "talk down" to even a layman. I'm not brain dead, thanks. I'd direct the author to Tom Reynolds style (yes, I know it's a pseudonym, I guess this author's is too).

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