In the stableyard: air ambulance
Cindy Cowling meets her rescuers
As I write, it is almost a year to the day that Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance came to my rescue. I sustained a broken tibia and fibula (lower leg) having landed on my feet when my horse spooked and shot me out the ‘side door’. As a Pony Club instructor, I have compiled innumerable risk assessments and so knew fairly well the order in which things would happen next – what I hadn’t banked on, however, was the weather.
The average time for the air ambulance from the first 999 call to ‘pick up’ is an incredible 16 minutes. Lying on Treborough Common, I hoped I would (normally) have 10 minutes’ grace before the pain set in and the next six minutes – well, I would have to grit my teeth! Then it started to sleet. Fortunately for me, I had a good friend who was able to oversee proceedings. Communication came through that, due to the deteriorating weather, the first air ambulance was turning back. My only hope now was a second crew who were another 20 minutes away. Phone reception was patchy but after 40 minutes the ‘drum, drum, drum’ of the second helicopter could be heard. Within seconds of landing, the paramedic appeared like an angel with gas, air and morphine! If I could have moved, I would have hugged him!
For the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, my type of accident is all in a day’s work. On average in the summer, the Air Ambulance can be called out up to seven times a day. I went to visit their base at Henstridge near Yeovil and spoke to paramedic Simon Trenchard about his work. Simon starts round 6am. He has been based with the Air Ambulance for four-and-a half-years now and before this worked in A&E for eight years. “There is never a typical day and certainly not a typical mission,” he said. On arrival at work Simon’s duties include checking the ‘Red Phone’ which is used for incoming emergencies. This automatically comes on line when the air base declares itself ready. Next Simon books out any drugs or fluids from the safe that may be needed. Then any items that have been charged overnight are put back in the aircraft.
Simon and the pilot, Max, together prepare the aircraft for flight. Fuel is checked for water contamination that may have occurred overnight and the ‘bungs’, which prevent birds nesting in the aircraft’s vents, are removed. Onboard equipment such as response bags, oxygen levels, splints, spinal immobiliser boards, suction, defibrillator and, last but not least, heart monitors, are all checked. “Once these checks have been carried out,” Simon told me, “the kettle is switched on and Max gives a morning brief. We are given a comprehensive weather forecast for the day and any problems the weather may cause are discussed. We are now ‘on-line’ and ready to go.
“It’s not long before the ‘Red Phone’ alarms. It is ambulance control in Exeter – a patient is severely injured and in a remote location and the ambulance crew dealing with the patient on the ground has requested the Air Ambulance. All we know is that a 60-year-old male has flash burns caused by an electrical fire. The location and a grid reference are given and a route planned. While this is happening the other paramedic and the pilot are running through their pre-flight checks. Acting as the second paramedic, I make my way to the aircraft and in minutes we’re in the air and on our way!
“Whilst in the air, we discuss the route and identify any potential hazards. These may be encountered either during
the flight or when coming into land, and include people, animals, low-level wires and anything that will move under our three tons of down draught! The helicopter flies at 150mph and cruises around 500 feet off the ground so things happen quickly. “Once on the ground, speed is of the essence. The aircraft is shut down and the pilot turns the front seat enabling both paramedics to face the patient who is secured and loaded and within 15 minutes well on on the way to hospital. We arrive within seven minutes and are met by a full trauma team. The handover done, a short debrief back at the base and then we clear up any waste, re-fuel and stow equipment. We are now ready for our next flight!”
My story and that of the man severely injured in an electrical fire are just examples of the many people that the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance attend, several times a day, 365 days a year. But bizarrely, unless patients contact the Air Ambulance, the pilot and crew do not know the outcome for their patient as no record or information is ever released. In 2010, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance invited ex-patients, volunteers and supporters to join them in celebrating the group’s tenth birthday on 12 June at their base, Henstridge Airfield, near Yeovil.
The Air Ambulance relies entirely on donations and needs to raise £1.4 million each year. ‘Flight for Life’ Lottery is one of the easiest and biggest fund-raisers for the charity. It costs just £1 a week to join and every Friday there is a £1,000 jackpot. For details please ring Gareth or Caroline on 01202 891440. If you would like to know more about how to volunteer for the charity you can contact the charity by emailing (see above), by calling 01823 669604 or at www.dorsetandsomersetairambulance.org.uk
I would like to say a huge thank you to the crew and paramedics for their dedication, professionalism and, above all, their lifesaving support. You never know when you may need them, so please, give them your support!
