Event(ful) Days

In the events side of our business, we always say that the perfect day is a day when nothing happens. That?s not how it is in most jobs, I realise. But not every event we attend turns out to be that perfect day; that?s why we?re there. Even on a quiet day ? a so-called ?perfect? day ? we have to be on our toes, ready to spring into action at short notice. About eighteen months ago we had a cardiac arrest to manage. It was a school event at the National Memorial Arboretum with about 300 children attending. We were called to attend to a lady in her 60s. She hadn?t actually been attending the event, she was just there on a regular visit. The event staff noticed she was unwell and called us. We got there in a couple of minutes. When we arrived we just went about our job, running through the necessary protocols which included delivering CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) for about six minutes. We also gave her oxygen. We maintained her life until the ambulance arrived. She left us breathing. We heard a few months later that she was alive and well, having made a good recovery. When I look back at that incident, or incidents like it, I feel a sense of pride that I?ve helped save someone?s life. But it?s not just the ?I?. It?s always a team effort ? between us, and then when other people are involved ? the ambulance staff and others ? applying their expertise. I don?t think there?s a better feeling than having saved someone?s life. We don?t do this job for medals or glory, we do it because we care. A good outcome is the reward. There are sometimes things we?ve done, which on the surface will seem very simple, that have saved lives. It?s not always CPR. Quick reactions are key in this job. Take an example of an accident on a Motocross circuit where a patient effectively used his helmet as a shovel. He came off, dragging his head across the track filling up his helmet with soil along the way. He ended up filling his mouth with dry soil. When that happens, you need to clear their airways and the soil that?s got into their mouth. You have about a minute and a half, maybe two, to get that done effectively. You need to get the soil out of their mouth before you do anything else. One of the key things with an accident or medical emergency at an event is to manage the situation effectively, and at a minimum, stop the condition from deteriorating. We have trained paramedics in our events teams and we do a kind of mix ? between management and preparation ? prior to the ambulance arriving. We essentially ?package? the patient, ready for the ambulance. That word ?package? might sound a bit impersonal but that?s exactly what it is ? we need to ensure the patient has been prepared as well as possible for moving, thus reducing the possibility of any later effects. Knowing we?ve done our job effectively and knowing we?ve stopped the injury from getting far worse is a rewarding feeling.

For more information on Event(ful) Days talk to ABC Training Services Ltd