DSAA Beeline, Issue 1 2017

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why we do it Why every cyclist should know CPR – a rescuer’s story Good friends George Wiseman and Chris Pinnell are two extremely keen cyclists. On 31 July 2016, a cycle ride on the Mendips ended with George needing to save his friend’s life. Together they give a full account, praising the work of the emergency services involved hris and I had planned a fast and furious cycle C ride on the Mendips with as many hills as we could cram in within our three-hour window. For the first time, Chris had agreed to take in a café stop around the halfway point. However, the events that unfolded that day meant we would never make it that far. After summiting Burrington Coombe, we proceeded along a well-cycled route towards Priddy. As we climbed to the top of a short, steep hill, I became aware that Chris had (unusually) dropped back. When I turned around, I saw him on the side of the road on all fours and in obvious pain. Very quickly, he collapsed, became unconscious and stopped breathing altogether. My military first aid training kicked in and was dragged from my memory bank in a bid to save my helpless Lycra-clad pal. Fortunately another cyclist was in the vicinity and I asked them to call for an ambulance. For the next 20 exhausting minutes, while waiting for the arrival of the emergency services, I administered CPR in a bid to keep the precious oxygen pumping around his heart and brain. Meanwhile, my ears were straining for the welcoming sound of not only a road ambulance siren but, given our isolated position, the precious sound of the whirling helicopter blades of the air ambulance. First to arrive was the land ambulance from Weston and local emergency medical Land Rover. A few minutes later, the air ambulance crew arrived and everyone worked together brilliantly in trying to stabilise Chris and prepare him for his flight to hospital. He was placed on a stretcher and taken to the helicopter, having to cross over a fence in the process. 26 01823 669604 | www.dsairambulance.org.uk 18-29 DSAA_Why we do it.indd 26 09/03/2017 10:22
why we do it After 30 years in the military, I was well aware of the slick and professional teamwork of medical teams, but this was my first experience in a civilian setting. I was immensely impressed and proud of how the Ambulance Service and Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance teams quickly synergised their finely honed capabilities to give Chris the very best chance of survival. Within minutes, Chris was flown to Bristol Royal Infirmary while I was left with the logistical challenge of recovering the bikes home, with the help of my wife Louise. A view from the crew Air ambulance Doctor Rob Török remembers Chris’s incident well…. We were tasked by HEMS control to a collapsed cyclist at 09.31 on that morning. Within three minutes we were in the air on what was a bright and sunny day. We had a clear view of the ambulance and scene as we arrived overhead less than 20 minutes after our initial call. There was a suitable landing site just beyond the incident with good access to the patient. The ambulance crew quickly provided us with an update on events so far, including the fact that they had already needed to provide two shocks to defibrillate Chris’s heart. I remember George confirming that he was trained and had provided CPR from the start of the incident as well as helping with information and logistics after we had taken over control of the situation. Paul Owen and I rapidly re-assessed Chris’s condition and we confirmed our plan to anaesthetise and intubate him. This was carried out before transferring him into the helicopter ready to fly to Bristol Royal Infirmary. Just as we were about to take off, Chris’s heart once again stopped beating. After another defibrillation his condition remained stable throughout the 12-minute flight from scene to hospital. We then handed Chris’s care over to the resuscitation team and cardiologist in the Emergency Department at BRI. Chris’s positive outcome was most certainly due to a number of key factors: Chris’s initial difficulty was witnessed and responded to rapidly and effectively by a member of the public who had prior knowledge and training. An early 999 call was made to summon assistance alongside effective CPR being delivered by George until the ambulance crew arrived and took over. Early identification of an abnormal heart rhythm and the provision of two defibrillation shocks followed by other elements of advanced life support. Early tasking of our Critical Care Team by the HEMS desk, enabling specialist Critical Care skills to be brought to the scene. Rapid transfer to a specialist hospital that would best meet Chris’s needs. Left: Chris Pinnell and his family Above: George Wiseman with wife Louise and son Toby 20 We can be at any point in the two counties in less than 20 minutes Chris’s appreciation My brain blocked the events of what happened that day, although I was told that I reacted to George’s voice at hospital. As a fit and healthy 46-year-old, who has exercised since being a teenager, never smoked, eats healthily and doesn’t drink much alcohol, hearing that I had suffered a cardiac arrest was clearly a shock to me. After arriving at the Bristol Royal Infirmary Intensive Care Unit I underwent angioplasty (a procedure to widen narrowed or obstructed arteries or veins) and had two stents put into one of my arteries; I remained in an induced coma for the next 48 hours and when I awoke my wonderful wife was at my side and gave me the news. Eight weeks on, I am recuperating at home but it is clear I owe my life to George, the NHS Paramedics and of course the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. It was certainly the intervention of the professionals that ensured I got to the hospital in excellent time and in a stable condition, which was critical to my survival. My wife, I and many of my friends and colleagues now support the Charity and, as I speak, my youngest son Louie is beavering away making Christmas tree decorations to sell at the school Christmas Fair. He has so many pre-orders already, it’s like a sweat shop in here! The crew who attended Chris’s incident were: Dr Rob Török, CCP Paul Owen and Pilot Chris Whipp Please share your story Our readers may be unaware that due to patient confidentiality, we cannot hold patient records. That means that unless the patients we have helped get in touch with us, we have no way of knowing the full impact of our service. Capturing the outcome and experiences of our patients helps to support and improve our clinical service. A secondary benefit is, with the permission of the patient, we are able to share their story and experiences with others. If you have experienced the work of DSAA please contact our Communications Department on: 01823 669604 or email: communications@dsairambulance.org.uk. Alternatively you can write to: DSAA, Landacre House, Castle Road, Chelston Business Park, Wellington, Somerset, TA21 9JQ. Thank you! Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance @dsairambulance 27 18-29 DSAA_Why we do it.indd 27 09/03/2017 10:22
Page 1 and 2: Beeline FEATURE The Official Dorset
Page 3 and 4: FOREWORD Welcome elcome to the spri
Page 5 and 6: 18 Second time lucky DSAA came to P
Page 7 and 8: Welcome aboard! A warm welcome to t
Page 9 and 10: WHAT WE DO Awards of excellence Mor
Page 11 and 12: WHAT WE DO Brand new clinical train
Page 13 and 14: WHAT WE DO the best of the district
Page 15 and 16: Westminster reception WHAT WE DO: O
Page 17 and 18: why we do it “Never did I dream t
Page 19 and 20: why we do it which they arrived and
Page 21 and 22: On 28 October I was taken to Salisb
Page 23 and 24: why we do it “The angels must hav
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Page 29 and 30: why we do it Thank you for helping
Page 31 and 32: From lifesavers to Coastbusters HOW
Page 33 and 34: how people help Dorset Golf and Cou
Page 35 and 36: HOW PEOPLE HELP Birthday bash Octog
Page 37 and 38: Specialists in all aspects of linge
Page 39 and 40: how people help The Annual New Year
Page 41 and 42: In the community Hunnybears Day Nur
Page 43 and 44: how people help Jean Pugh organised
Page 45 and 46: Look after your castle this summer.
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DSAA Beeline, Issue 1 2017

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