The IRT, Austen and I were called just before nine to a young chap who had collapsed on the path leading up to the Obelisk. From the information given South West Ambulance were already on scene (...a local crew of Ian and Tam) who required assistance in extracting the casualty. On arrival at scene it was apparent that the casualty was located half way up the path which many of you may know is one of the steepest paths in the area. It’s one of those places where you say ‘oh no, not there!’
A quick risk assessment was made where the judgement call was that we would need at least 8 team members to carry the casualty down a particularly steep and rocky slope in the dark, and then a road extraction by ambulance taking another 30 mins. Weighing up the risks to the casualty and team members the operations room at Weymouth requested assistance from Rescue Helicopter 104 from Lee on Solent. A good call.
Within 15 minutes Rescue 104 was on scene, dropping off the lineman and winchman to assess the lift which would be tricky given the terrain. Three lifts were made at what I would consider fairly close quarters , firstly the paramedic equipment, then Tamsin the Paramedic, followed by the Casualty. (To be fair Tam wasn’t too happy to be winched into a helicopter by a strapping young winchman but after a lot of protesting she agreed to go ;-)...well done! )
The casualty was screened from the downdraft by the team including one of the school’s helpers/teacher who frankly did a cracking job looking after the lad throughout the entire process. Sadly I didn’t get her name but it was fair to say she was particularly cool under pressure and gave the chap reassurance throughout, even when being thoroughly buffeted by downdraft and grit. It’s great when you get a member of the public prepared to get involved and help like that, thank you. Naturally Swanage Coastguard team wish the young chap well and he’s welcome to pop over the station any time. Thanks also to winchman ‘Simon’ who’s compassion and straight talking helped allay the casualty’s concerns about being winched.
Back to the truck and a smile and a laugh thinking that was an exhilarating night out and far better than watching France v Uruguay, with those inferno vuvuzelas. Meanwhile Ian the paramedic had to drive to Poole to pick up his colleague.
All in all a textbook operation.
A quick risk assessment was made where the judgement call was that we would need at least 8 team members to carry the casualty down a particularly steep and rocky slope in the dark, and then a road extraction by ambulance taking another 30 mins. Weighing up the risks to the casualty and team members the operations room at Weymouth requested assistance from Rescue Helicopter 104 from Lee on Solent. A good call.
Within 15 minutes Rescue 104 was on scene, dropping off the lineman and winchman to assess the lift which would be tricky given the terrain. Three lifts were made at what I would consider fairly close quarters , firstly the paramedic equipment, then Tamsin the Paramedic, followed by the Casualty. (To be fair Tam wasn’t too happy to be winched into a helicopter by a strapping young winchman but after a lot of protesting she agreed to go ;-)...well done! )
The casualty was screened from the downdraft by the team including one of the school’s helpers/teacher who frankly did a cracking job looking after the lad throughout the entire process. Sadly I didn’t get her name but it was fair to say she was particularly cool under pressure and gave the chap reassurance throughout, even when being thoroughly buffeted by downdraft and grit. It’s great when you get a member of the public prepared to get involved and help like that, thank you. Naturally Swanage Coastguard team wish the young chap well and he’s welcome to pop over the station any time. Thanks also to winchman ‘Simon’ who’s compassion and straight talking helped allay the casualty’s concerns about being winched.
Back to the truck and a smile and a laugh thinking that was an exhilarating night out and far better than watching France v Uruguay, with those inferno vuvuzelas. Meanwhile Ian the paramedic had to drive to Poole to pick up his colleague.
All in all a textbook operation.
Photo's later....
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