Because, in their own words, the rewards far outweigh the negatives. Amongst the routine and inappropriate are the calls where someone is brought back from the brink - often against all the odds. Think about it. How can any other success in the world of work ever compare to actually giving or sustaining life?

It's also one of the few professions that can still claim to provide job security. After all, accidents aren't likely to stop happening anytime soon.

There aren't many jobs out there that command such pride and respect, and rightly so. For the main, it's because most of us know we couldn't do what they do. Quite simply, we're not caring enough, not compassionate enough, not understanding enough. We haven't got the resilience or strength of character. This is a definite calling, where you're driven by helping people in need, and contributing to your community - above and beyond the call of duty. What they do matters. They're some of the few everyday heroes we have left.

As clichéd as it sounds, the crews are like one big family. Most ambulance stations even have a station cat. They support each other through the sad times, and cheer each other in success. There's a form of camaraderie that exists here unlike any other: they've been through it together, and seen things that we can't imagine (and wouldn't want to). Those who pick a career as an ambulance technician are in for a tough ride, but an immensely rewarding one.

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