You Can’t Chart Gut Instinct

What They’ll Never Teach You About Being a Medic

By: Orlando Rivera

Narrated by: Glen A. Campbell

Spoiler: This ain’t a protocol refresher.

This is the book medics have been waiting for—and the one most EMS leaders hope never gets played out loud.

You Can’t Chart Gut Instinct is a field report from the back of the bus. Written between psych calls, refusals, overdoses, and the kind of trauma that doesn’t leave visible bruises. It’s not a guide. It’s a mirror.

For every EMT who’s been called “just transport.”
For every paramedic who knew something was off — and was right.
For every provider who ever whispered “I’m fine” when they weren’t.

This book goes where the CE credits won’t.
Into the burnout.
The black humor.
The gut calls you can’t explain but know to trust.

And most of all? Into the real cost of being the one who always shows up.

If you’ve ever carried a patient—or a memory—that no one else saw…

If you’ve ever thought about leaving the job, but didn’t want to lose yourself in the process…

If you’re still here, even when it hurts, and need someone to finally say what you’ve been thinking all along…

This book is for you.

Read it. Feel it. Pass it on.
Because if you’re EMS?
You already know:

You can’t chart gut instinct. But it just might save your life...

©2025 Orlando E Rivera (P)2025 Orlando E Rivera

The words that very few are willing to say in EMS!

This book was completely 100% truth!! I’ve been in EMS for 23 years, 16 of them as a paramedic before I suffered a career ending injury on the job last summer. This book has affirmed what I’ve been feeling and saying for years, and has helped me navigate the grief of having my career yanked away. Thank you Orlando for taking the time to write this powerful book!! God bless.

Thank you

There needs to be more books like this for EMS! It hits every note of this job. It should be a mandatory read in EMT school.