Paramedics and critical first responders have the extraordinary job of helping often critically injured people in accidents, disasters and other emergencies. It’s a task requiring steely presence, strength, clear thinking and quick action. But, something else is needed, particularly when faced with people who have minutes to live.

Matthew O’Reilly, veteran emergency medical technician on Long Island, New York, describes what happens next when a gravely hurt patient asks him: “Am I going to die?”