Surgical technologist

Street medic or action medic is a term used to describe a person who provides medical and mental health care in situations of civil unrest, protests, and similar events. Street medics are often volunteers who have received varying levels of training in first aid and emergency care.

History

The concept of street medics originated in the United States during the civil rights movement and anti-Vietnam War protests in the 1960s. The Medical Committee for Human Rights (MCHR) was one of the first organizations to train and deploy street medics. Since then, street medics have been present at numerous protests and demonstrations worldwide, including the anti-globalization protests in Seattle in 1999 and the Occupy Wall Street movement in 2011.

Training

Street medic training typically includes basic first aid, emergency care, and mental health support. Some street medics may have professional medical training, but this is not a requirement. Training often emphasizes patient autonomy, informed consent, and the importance of providing care in a non-judgmental manner.

Role

Street medics provide care in situations where traditional medical services may be unavailable or inaccessible. This can include protests, demonstrations, and other forms of civil unrest. They may treat injuries resulting from police actions, such as tear gas exposure or rubber bullet wounds, as well as provide mental health support to those affected by the events.

Criticism

Critics of street medics argue that they may lack the necessary training to provide appropriate care in emergency situations. There are also concerns about the potential for street medics to be targeted by law enforcement during protests.

See also

• Medical Committee for Human Rights
• Civil rights movement
• Anti-globalization movement
• Occupy Wall Street

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