DSAA Beeline, Issue 1 2017

why we do it
“I knew that staying calm was crucial”
Former flying instructor Henry Banks shares the story of his heart attack and
subsequent airlift
n the morning of 1 April 2016, I was carrying
O
out a few chores at home and in the garden
before getting changed to play a seniors
competition at Mendip Golf Club, where I was Vice-
Captain. I went outside and loaded my golf equipment
into the rear of the car. As I lifted the golf bag, I felt a pain
in my left shoulder. Although it felt strange, I thought
that I must have pulled something earlier that morning. I
went into the house and sat on the settee next to my wife
Annette. My daughter Philippa was also in the room.
All of a sudden I started to feel hot and sweaty so I took
off my jumper and within seconds I started to feel sick. I
got up and looked at myself in the mirror to see my face
totally ashen. It was then that I realised I was suffering
another heart attack; I had previously had one in 2000
and then again in 2002.
I knew that staying calm was crucial in keeping my
pulse rate down and that we needed to act quickly, so
I asked my wife and daughter to dial 999. I actually
remember saying it’s not an April fool as I have been
known to wind them up at times. Within 15 minutes
a first responder from Frome arrived by car and
performed an ECG. He confirmed that I was having a
heart attack.
The pain in my shoulder began increasing and I
remember the first responder administering pain relief
before asking my wife if the ambulance was on the way.
She said yes, but apparently all the local land ambulances
were committed and one was on its way from Bristol.
The first responder went back on his radio and
confirmed this before requesting assistance from the
air ambulance. I turned to my wife who was holding my
24 01823 669604 | www.dsairambulance.org.uk
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