Its a fab day today, so i thought i would get up and get done every outdoor job i have been trying to do since before christmas !!
Visited the garden centre today, but really wished i hadn't..........
my littlest one decided to through a wobbly, well correction, actually it was a fully blown bloody screaming session all because I said she couldn't have a chocolate bar!!!
You know what its like, your shopping and all of a sudden you hear the screams and you know that some child is objecting to something!!
The tantrums start!!!
Well this sunday it was my child!!!!!!!!!!!
It is amazing how many people stop and stare, when you trying you best to explain that lunch is in ten mins away and noway can they have a chocolate bar!!
All those eyes staring and minds working on the theory that this poor child was being hard done by!
The tuts and sighs........
ERRR"HELLO"
"She wants a chocolate bar and probably a good sleep since she was up at 5.00am"!!
"I only said no"!!
Anyway with child asleep on my shoulder i manage to wind my way across the carpark. Its amazing how many people stop to let you cross one arm around the child and the other trying to push a trolley! One older member of the human race decided that his 3 point turn into a 50 foot parking space would result in mounting the kerb and nearly wiping me, my daughter and my trolley off the planet it was only my cry of "STOP" that prevented us from becoming the latest patient!
After 2 hours of gardening, eating lunch and drinking a cup of tea i manage to sit down and just closed my eyes when the familiar "Bleep,Bleep" brought me to my senses.
The text read"breathing problems"..
"yes please" was the reply to the enevitable question of "do you want me to attend?"
This was about 1 mile from my house, on the outskirts of town, but being a sunday it would probably only take me 3 mins or so and the crew were coming from out of town so I would be there before them.
The house was difficult to find, every house in the street was named not numbered so it was case of slowly kerb crawling past 40 or so houses to find the right one!
Needless to say i went straight past it and had to turn around and do the same thing on the way back.
This time there was a person outside obviously waiting for something. I drove up to him and he confirmed that i was indeed in the right place. The patient was less than 3 days old!!
This is my nightmare! Its the one thing i am totally terrified about!
You see...................
I had to revive my littlest one at the age of 13 months. She grabbed a hand full of crisps and shoved them into her mouth. She was so quick.............. she started choking, stopped breathing and turned blue! I had to resusitate her and i always said i could never, ever do it again.
My own fear was only just bearable..................... I walked briskly , it was a beautiful richly decorated room with exposed cotswold stone. The one thing that struck me about the room was it was so hot, I immediately asked if we could open the door even if ony for a few seconds...............
Tthe infant was so quiet, with obvious laboured breathing , I asked mum to very gently wipe the tiny mouth with the tip of her little finger, It was full of mucus and the poor little thing couldn't get rid of it herself. I was shaking so much and i felt so sick i can't begin to express it in words, I set up the oxygen with a mask and gently wafted the mask a little way from the baby's face. To my great relief, the baby coughed and spluttered and took a huge gulp of air, she screamed, within a few seconds her colour turned really red and she started to breathe so much better.
My eyes were starting to sting and i was willing them not to well up!! I am always pleased to see the crew but in this instance I could have kissed him! I spent 40mins observing the obs and tests and listening to the questions he was asking the new mum and my greatest moment was when he said...
"her obs are good, everything was done before i got here",
I hope that i have now put my gremlins to bed!
I have to admit I gave my little one a extra big cuddle at bed time tonight and said an extra "thank you god"...........
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
For the grace of god go I..........
It was about 18.30 the familar bleep bleep of the ambulance phone disturbed a rather big family debate.
I had borrowed 2 kids on the promise of a quiet sleepover!!
ummmmmm in my eyes there is never such a thing!
" female and fitting"
Phoned control and they would like me to attend
The dog runs for cover under the table after the previous experiences, at last he has learnt!
"where are you going mum", "whats happening?" "What about tea?"
"For goodness sake kids your mum is going out on a call" that was the last comment which fainted in the distance as my car fired up and we were off through the remaining rush hour traffic.
I knew roughly where the street was and it was in a reasonable area only a mile and bit from where i live.
I managed to park just next the property, grabbed my green bag.
Two things surprised me on entering the property, one was a sweet but chokingly strong urine smell and the other was the tired but grand decor in the property.
The patient was in a downstairs room, a makeshift bedroom,cluttered, dirty, but it was obviously, once, a happy joyful room. She lay on her side, on her bed, on a bare matress. Letters, empty coke cans, envelopes, clothes, dirty laundry not to mention fluids of all discriptions seemed to be her make shift bedcovers.
I managed to get a mask on her and administer oxygen. I was joined by a paramedic who was able to put a line in and adminsted vital drugs to bring the fits under control.
The oxygen cylinder was just about on empty when the crew arrived. The paramedic handed over and although it was a struggle to negiotiate the numerous feline residents the patient was finally wheeled on board the ambulance.
When we were walking out with our patient I couldn't help but feel that I am in a very privillaged position.
I complain about money, the kids and dog making a mess of the newly washed kitchen floor, untidness, all the usual family stuff ....but.... I have nothing to complain about.........
I live a blessed life .....
I have a loving family, I have a great job and I am so fourtunate being allowed into and be a brief part of our patients lives no matter what walk of life or what their circumstances are...........
"There for the grace of god go I"..........................................
I had borrowed 2 kids on the promise of a quiet sleepover!!
ummmmmm in my eyes there is never such a thing!
" female and fitting"
Phoned control and they would like me to attend
The dog runs for cover under the table after the previous experiences, at last he has learnt!
"where are you going mum", "whats happening?" "What about tea?"
"For goodness sake kids your mum is going out on a call" that was the last comment which fainted in the distance as my car fired up and we were off through the remaining rush hour traffic.
I knew roughly where the street was and it was in a reasonable area only a mile and bit from where i live.
I managed to park just next the property, grabbed my green bag.
Two things surprised me on entering the property, one was a sweet but chokingly strong urine smell and the other was the tired but grand decor in the property.
The patient was in a downstairs room, a makeshift bedroom,cluttered, dirty, but it was obviously, once, a happy joyful room. She lay on her side, on her bed, on a bare matress. Letters, empty coke cans, envelopes, clothes, dirty laundry not to mention fluids of all discriptions seemed to be her make shift bedcovers.
I managed to get a mask on her and administer oxygen. I was joined by a paramedic who was able to put a line in and adminsted vital drugs to bring the fits under control.
The oxygen cylinder was just about on empty when the crew arrived. The paramedic handed over and although it was a struggle to negiotiate the numerous feline residents the patient was finally wheeled on board the ambulance.
When we were walking out with our patient I couldn't help but feel that I am in a very privillaged position.
I complain about money, the kids and dog making a mess of the newly washed kitchen floor, untidness, all the usual family stuff ....but.... I have nothing to complain about.........
I live a blessed life .....
I have a loving family, I have a great job and I am so fourtunate being allowed into and be a brief part of our patients lives no matter what walk of life or what their circumstances are...........
"There for the grace of god go I"..........................................
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Its the chicken Kiev!
Its about 5.50pm when i arrive home after work, straight into the fridge to see what i can magic up for tea!
Its like bees around a hunny pot when i come home and open the fridge.
My kids come out from their hidey holes!
"What for tea?"
"I'm starving" (Like he hasn't had any food all day, forgetting the biscuit, bananna and apple munched less than 15mins ago!!)
Things are always hectic around tea time...... Now I have a full blown paddy from the smallest member of the team.........
Its like the Waltons but only smaller!!
Well 10 mins later hubby walks through the door................. "Whats for tea?" "I'm starving?"
Well now i know where the kids get it from!!!!!!!!!!!
About forty five mins later the kiev(totally homemade!!) is ready.........
"we have to be at school for a meeting at 7.00pm" came a voice from the other end of the kitchen.
Sure enough its 6.55pm!
Well the kiev is abandonned and the sound of munching and crunching is far behind as my child and i stomp to school!
25 mins later we are stomping back home!
It was nothing that couldn't have been handed out on a piece of paper and brought home!
Well i suppose it saves all the mud, drink and other un-mentionables attaching themselves to the same piece of paper before it gets home!!!!
With my tummy rumbling and the thought of supper as soon as i walk thorough the door.......
Just as i dish my remaining cauliflower on to my plate and start to preceed towards the table.................
The ambulance phone goes..................
ITS THE KIEV!!!!!!!!!!
Its a chest pains call
I phone control (they may stand me down!! They might have another responder attending...)
YES please comes the reply from down the phone.........
I jump in the car and luckily for me the address isn't very far away.
Finding the place proves more difficult............
Just as I turn around and work my way back down the street the crew arrives.
I jump out and offer assistance but they stand me down (don't require my assistance)
So its back to my Kiev..............
Back in my warm kitchen i retrieve the kiev from the oven and this time i get to sit at the kitchen table, the kids long gone, probably retired to their rooms, the littlest member is watching a bedtime program on tv.
I have just reached for the cultery and the phone goes again...........................
..............IT REALLY IS THE KIEV..................................................
I phone control to ask if they require me to attend, after much delibaration they decide that the call is a cat B, and not to despatch me as a RRV (Rapid Response Vehicle)is very closeby.
I rescued the Kiev from the oven,
It looks very dry and sad!
But do i care?
No!!
I eat it anyway..............
before the phone goes again!
But it doesn't! Not one message! so its time for me to hit the wooden hill and slide down sheet lane.........
If there are any ambulance personnel reading this..... How do you manage to grab a bite to eat? I know you can arrange a break with control but even then you might not get a bit to eat?
Its like bees around a hunny pot when i come home and open the fridge.
My kids come out from their hidey holes!
"What for tea?"
"I'm starving" (Like he hasn't had any food all day, forgetting the biscuit, bananna and apple munched less than 15mins ago!!)
Things are always hectic around tea time...... Now I have a full blown paddy from the smallest member of the team.........
Its like the Waltons but only smaller!!
Well 10 mins later hubby walks through the door................. "Whats for tea?" "I'm starving?"
Well now i know where the kids get it from!!!!!!!!!!!
About forty five mins later the kiev(totally homemade!!) is ready.........
"we have to be at school for a meeting at 7.00pm" came a voice from the other end of the kitchen.
Sure enough its 6.55pm!
Well the kiev is abandonned and the sound of munching and crunching is far behind as my child and i stomp to school!
25 mins later we are stomping back home!
It was nothing that couldn't have been handed out on a piece of paper and brought home!
Well i suppose it saves all the mud, drink and other un-mentionables attaching themselves to the same piece of paper before it gets home!!!!
With my tummy rumbling and the thought of supper as soon as i walk thorough the door.......
Just as i dish my remaining cauliflower on to my plate and start to preceed towards the table.................
The ambulance phone goes..................
ITS THE KIEV!!!!!!!!!!
Its a chest pains call
I phone control (they may stand me down!! They might have another responder attending...)
YES please comes the reply from down the phone.........
I jump in the car and luckily for me the address isn't very far away.
Finding the place proves more difficult............
Just as I turn around and work my way back down the street the crew arrives.
I jump out and offer assistance but they stand me down (don't require my assistance)
So its back to my Kiev..............
Back in my warm kitchen i retrieve the kiev from the oven and this time i get to sit at the kitchen table, the kids long gone, probably retired to their rooms, the littlest member is watching a bedtime program on tv.
I have just reached for the cultery and the phone goes again...........................
..............IT REALLY IS THE KIEV..................................................
I phone control to ask if they require me to attend, after much delibaration they decide that the call is a cat B, and not to despatch me as a RRV (Rapid Response Vehicle)is very closeby.
I rescued the Kiev from the oven,
It looks very dry and sad!
But do i care?
No!!
I eat it anyway..............
before the phone goes again!
But it doesn't! Not one message! so its time for me to hit the wooden hill and slide down sheet lane.........
If there are any ambulance personnel reading this..... How do you manage to grab a bite to eat? I know you can arrange a break with control but even then you might not get a bit to eat?
Monday, February 4, 2008
3 Friends and a chest pain.
Kiss the kids, shout to the husband, fall over the dog, phone control and find the car keys!!!!!!
Out the door, usually in about 10 seconds flat.........
"chest pains"
Not an address known to me in my responding days but the road is! Its not well lit and has a reputation for being a "not a nice place"! I arrive and am met by a man out of breathe who starts telling me that his girlfriend had and still is having chest pains.
Grabbing my green bag and defib I follow the out of breath man into the house.
I am led through a cigarette stenched, yellowing white walled lounge and into the bedroom.
I find a young 20 something sat on the bed with laboured breathing. After establising she does not have chest or breathing problems normally I immediately pop on a oxygen mask and administer at peak rate. I start to ask questions..... Have you had this happen before? When did the pain start? What were you doing when the pain started? all of which she either ignored or in my view didn't want to answer? She seemed to be feeling better and her male friend returned to the lounge to join 2 other males. She started to talk in a whisper, she said that she was having a cuddle with her friends (oh no - not friend but friends!!) and afterwards she noticed that her heart beating so fast it scared her, then she noticed her breathing was laboured!!!!!! UMMMMMM!!!
My blushes were saved by the crew walking in at that very moment! Thankfully my hand over was professional and i did try and keep a straight professional face until i finally got back into my car and i laughed all the way home!!
I still don't know if the crew really understood my cryptic handover...........
But I think they knew exactly.................
Out the door, usually in about 10 seconds flat.........
"chest pains"
Not an address known to me in my responding days but the road is! Its not well lit and has a reputation for being a "not a nice place"! I arrive and am met by a man out of breathe who starts telling me that his girlfriend had and still is having chest pains.
Grabbing my green bag and defib I follow the out of breath man into the house.
I am led through a cigarette stenched, yellowing white walled lounge and into the bedroom.
I find a young 20 something sat on the bed with laboured breathing. After establising she does not have chest or breathing problems normally I immediately pop on a oxygen mask and administer at peak rate. I start to ask questions..... Have you had this happen before? When did the pain start? What were you doing when the pain started? all of which she either ignored or in my view didn't want to answer? She seemed to be feeling better and her male friend returned to the lounge to join 2 other males. She started to talk in a whisper, she said that she was having a cuddle with her friends (oh no - not friend but friends!!) and afterwards she noticed that her heart beating so fast it scared her, then she noticed her breathing was laboured!!!!!! UMMMMMM!!!
My blushes were saved by the crew walking in at that very moment! Thankfully my hand over was professional and i did try and keep a straight professional face until i finally got back into my car and i laughed all the way home!!
I still don't know if the crew really understood my cryptic handover...........
But I think they knew exactly.................
Welcome
Good Evening and welcome to my blog!
I am a community Responder for the south central ambulance service.
"ummmmmmm whats that" i hear you ask, well I will try to explain....
we are all volunteers who are selected and trained by the ambulance service to attend life threatening calls such as heart attacks, chest pains etc...
we carry oxygen, defib and other small pieces of kit. We receive these calls by text on our mobile phones and if we are able to attend, we telephone control, who ultimately decide if we are required to attend. They dispatch us to the address if necessary.
I have been a Responder for over a year now and really enjoy the challenge and it has to be the best job in the world.
Obviously it does have its down side and yes I always shed tones of tears if my attempts of Resuscitation fail, no matter what age my patients are!
Responding isn't about response times and meeting government figures, its about saving lives in the community where you live.
Did you know that:-
The idea of Community Responders originated in America due to the work of Dr Richard Cummins. He discovered that if a series of events took place in a set sequence, a heart attack victim had a greater chance of survival. These events are known as the “Chain of Survival”.
Which are:- Early Access - to get help. Early CPR - to buy time. Early defib - to start the heart. Early Advanced CardiacLife Support - to stabilise.
When put into practice in America by increasing public awareness, training people in basic life support and placing defibrillators in the community it improved the pre-hospital survival rate to between 25% and 30%.
It has also been suggested that for every 1 minute that a heartattack patient does not have access to defibrillation that persons chances of survival decrease by 10%.
If you want further information or would like to become a community responder take a look at http://www.southcentralambulance.nhs.uk/html/pages/dynamicpage.php?pagerec=20
So my preaching is over and to continue........
We dont have blue lights and sirens!! We abide by the laws of the road and speed limits!
So how come we arrive before the ambulance..........
Well sometimes we don't! I have been overtaken on a number of occassions by the ambulance on blues racing to the same destination as me!
Being based in a market town in South West England , ambulances for the towns patients can come from Kidlington, however at busy times i have met crews of ambulances from Banbury, Didcot & Chipping Norton. This can take 10mins of more even when travelling with all lights flashing and sirens whailing! So, god willing and the towns OAP drivers either having their afternoon nap or already in bed, we can arrive within 8 mins from the patient making the call.
We have a great group of responders working here! Our paid jobs range from small business owners to accounts clerks to Managing Directors!!
We all have the same goal to help preserve life, sometimes our patients don't want us to, but we usually manage to talk them round!!!
Just before I sign off I though I would let you know that i will post regularly about my adventures however everyone will be anon and no real names will be used!
Till later...........
I am a community Responder for the south central ambulance service.
"ummmmmmm whats that" i hear you ask, well I will try to explain....
we are all volunteers who are selected and trained by the ambulance service to attend life threatening calls such as heart attacks, chest pains etc...
we carry oxygen, defib and other small pieces of kit. We receive these calls by text on our mobile phones and if we are able to attend, we telephone control, who ultimately decide if we are required to attend. They dispatch us to the address if necessary.
I have been a Responder for over a year now and really enjoy the challenge and it has to be the best job in the world.
Obviously it does have its down side and yes I always shed tones of tears if my attempts of Resuscitation fail, no matter what age my patients are!
Responding isn't about response times and meeting government figures, its about saving lives in the community where you live.
Did you know that:-
The idea of Community Responders originated in America due to the work of Dr Richard Cummins. He discovered that if a series of events took place in a set sequence, a heart attack victim had a greater chance of survival. These events are known as the “Chain of Survival”.
Which are:- Early Access - to get help. Early CPR - to buy time. Early defib - to start the heart. Early Advanced CardiacLife Support - to stabilise.
When put into practice in America by increasing public awareness, training people in basic life support and placing defibrillators in the community it improved the pre-hospital survival rate to between 25% and 30%.
It has also been suggested that for every 1 minute that a heartattack patient does not have access to defibrillation that persons chances of survival decrease by 10%.
If you want further information or would like to become a community responder take a look at http://www.southcentralambulance.nhs.uk/html/pages/dynamicpage.php?pagerec=20
So my preaching is over and to continue........
We dont have blue lights and sirens!! We abide by the laws of the road and speed limits!
So how come we arrive before the ambulance..........
Well sometimes we don't! I have been overtaken on a number of occassions by the ambulance on blues racing to the same destination as me!
Being based in a market town in South West England , ambulances for the towns patients can come from Kidlington, however at busy times i have met crews of ambulances from Banbury, Didcot & Chipping Norton. This can take 10mins of more even when travelling with all lights flashing and sirens whailing! So, god willing and the towns OAP drivers either having their afternoon nap or already in bed, we can arrive within 8 mins from the patient making the call.
We have a great group of responders working here! Our paid jobs range from small business owners to accounts clerks to Managing Directors!!
We all have the same goal to help preserve life, sometimes our patients don't want us to, but we usually manage to talk them round!!!
Just before I sign off I though I would let you know that i will post regularly about my adventures however everyone will be anon and no real names will be used!
Till later...........
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