"I’m given the gift of playing a part in somebody’s worst day. I may be the hand that pulls them out of the fire. Sometimes it’s as if I play the role of the mediator between life and death. And in other instances, I’m making sure that the patient has a hand to hold at the very least."
A vow to help others
At just 12 years old, Brandan Arthur experienced a life-altering moment that set the course for his future. A drunk driver sideswiped his mother’s car on a remote road in West Virginia, causing a tragic multi-car collision.
Though Brandan, his brother, and mother were unharmed, the crash resulted in multiple fatalities. Grasping his younger brother’s hand, Brandan felt a profound sense of helplessness that he vowed never to experience again.
“In that moment, I made a determination that I’d never be in a position again where I couldn’t do something for others — where I couldn’t actually make a difference,” Brandan said.
"The mediator between life and death"
Today, Brandan is a paramedic and emergency medical technician (EMT). He works as a 911 paramedic and an inter-facility transport paramedic — roles that present unique challenges and opportunities to make a meaningful impact.
When Brandan speaks about his job he reflects on the gravity of his responsibilities. “I’m given the gift of playing a part in somebody’s worst day. I may be the hand that pulls them out of the fire. Sometimes it’s as if I play the role of the mediator between life and death. And in other instances, I’m making sure that the patient has a hand to hold at the very least,” he shared.
Embracing innovation in emergency care
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic made it harder for Brandan to provide that helping hand. Transporting severe COVID-19 cases became chaotic. And there was an even greater need to keep equipment and surfaces completely sanitized. This led him to seek a more efficient stethoscope, one that could cut through the noise of an ambulance and still provide clear, accurate readings. He found his solution in the 3M™ Littmann® CORE Digital Stethoscope.
With the Littmann® CORE, Brandan could use wireless headphones to listen to patients’ breathing without close contact, which was crucial during the pandemic. The stethoscope’s sensitivity allowed him to hear heart murmurs and lung sounds more clearly than ever before.
“It’s so attuned that I can hear sounds all the way on the other side of a patient’s body,” Brandan noted. This remarkable tool even helped him diagnose a heart murmur in a frequent transport patient, changing the trajectory of the patient’s care and ultimately saving their life.
Training the next generation
One of Brandan’s favorite quotes is from computer scientist, mathematician, and U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper, who said: “The most dangerous phrase in the English language is, ‘We’ve always done it this way.’”
Brandan believes that quote is paramount for the future of healthcare.
For nearly a decade he’s been training paramedics, using his digital stethoscope and the Eko App to provide real-life context in his lessons. By playing recorded sounds that indicate what students should or shouldn’t hear, Brandan ensures his trainees are well-prepared for the realities of emergency medical services. (Previously, he would rely on YouTube to try and find something resembling ideal patient sounds.)
“I’m able to bring real-life context to the situation,” he said. “It's an opportunity for students to understand what they’re doing and pinpoint what’s going on with a patient. It’s absolutely invaluable.”
Brandan believes his Littman® CORE Digital Stethoscope is a perfect example of what can be created when people are not content with the status quo.
"It’s an amazing product that allows you to really understand and bring more perspective to the one thing we desperately need to do, which is a good assessment."
“It’s the first I’ve seen that has tried to step out and do something different,” Brandan said. “It’s an amazing product that allows you to really understand and bring more perspective to the one thing we desperately need to do, which is a good assessment.”
The future of emergency care
Brandan’s story is a powerful testament to the impact of dedication, innovation, and the right tools in emergency medical services. His journey from a determined young boy to a life-saving paramedic and educator illustrates the profound difference one person can make with the right mindset and equipment. The 3M™ Littmann® CORE Digital Stethoscope is more than just a tool for Brandan — it’s a lifeline for his patients and a beacon of progress for the future of healthcare.
Learn why the noise cancelling function on the 3M™ Littmann® CORE Digital Stethoscope makes it the best stethoscope for paramedics.
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