Holidays

An early blog this week as I am off on holiday for 2 weeks. By the way if anyone would like a long range weather forecast let me know, as after several weeks of dry sunny weather, first day of my holidays and its raining. This is a normal occurrence when I book leave!

This week saw me as Operational Commander / Bronze officer for 3 days and attending a variety of incidents including a collision between a bus and car. Only 2 minor injuries, 1 dealt with at scene and 1 transported to hospital for further checks.

Another incident saw joint working between ambulance crews and Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue to extract a patient who had fallen whilst working on scaffolding. Great patient focused team work soon saw the patent safely packaged and on the ground, ready for onward transport to the hospital.

When I use the term "packaged" I don't mean cardboard boxes and packing tape. The term packaged means ready for transport and this can be simply that the patient is on a carry chair and blanketed ready to get them out of a property. It can also mean as in this case the patient was secured on to a combi board and immobilised before being placed in a basket stretcher. One of the most difficult tasks that ambulance crews can face is how to get a patient safely from their current location to the ambulance, they  have a variety of equipment directly available to them and also via other agencies.

              Carry chair                  Combi Board

       Stretcher

Above are the basic tools of the trade for moving patients to the ambulance.

This weekend in Bournemouth also see the Bournemouth Air Festival an annual event drawing huge crowds to see some spectacular flying all for free.

Whatever you are doing over the next couple of weeks enjoy the bank holiday weekend and stay safe. Normal service will be resumed in a fortnight.

Summers here

So it seems summer is finally here and a heat wave is predicted for next week. The local area is busy with visitors and locals making the most of our beautiful part of the world.

Our local lifeboats, coastguard and lifeguards have all been busy over the past few weeks with Poole lifeboat being tasked every day for ten days running. The local fire and rescue service have also been busy with several heath fires and persons reported dwelling fires.

The NHS ? we have been busy with our normal level of demand added to by visitors to the area. All of our emergency services and also voluntary agencies work hard to keep you safe and assist you. Many of them going about their tasks in the background, our unsung heroes.

With the increase in demand please ensure that you choose well when deciding if you need to call 999 or is another option more suitable?

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue gaining access to a flat to begin a search for the occupants.

Who you gonna call?

Some ideas to help you decide.

Have a good week and  enjoy the weather. Don't forget the sun tan lotion and a hat.

Weekend days

A lovely day on the south coast today with lots of visitors around.
A incident at the local airport this morning saw a light aircraft land safely.
Also tasked to a local park for a cardiac arrest on arrival patient was conscious and breathing after great bystander CPR and two shocks from a community defibrillator. Patient now in hospital. Well done to all involved.
This incident shows the importance of early CPR and early delivery of shocks. Could your business,school or club house a community defibrillator if so contact your local ambulance service.
Apologies for the lack of blog last week was a bit busy.
Enjoy the sunny weather and stay safe.