| Editor’s note: In response to Jason’s earlier column, Where Did You Come From?, New Zealand Firefighter Bob Strong describes in the following article his memorable moment as a volunteer. |
By Bob Strong
There are many times when you wonder at the attitude of members who join and do not actively volunteer their time and efforts. This puts strain on the ones who do care.
The incident outlined in Jason’s earlier column brought to mind an incident I was personally involved with some 12 months ago. Every two years we do a recertify on first aid and I had done mine on the Friday, taking the time off work so that others who could not do the same could do it on Saturday.
On the Saturday, I was playing bowls at out local lawn bowling club and having finished my game was standing talking to another bowler I had known for a number of years. While doing so, I saw or rather sensed a commotion in the corner of the green.
I took off running across a couple of rinks, looking at any security issues and on reaching a fallen fellow bowler, did the ABC and seeing he was still breathing but only just, went straight in and started CPR. As I worked, other bowlers gathered with one talking to the ambulance on the phone while another was coming with an AED.
I had been signed off on three others but not that one at the time, and rather than take time to set up – which I didn’t have – I continued to keep going. I got signed off the following week. I felt that I had broken a rib or two, but just kept going. By this time my pager was sounding on my hip telling me that the fire brigade were on their way and then I heard our local EMS and then ambulance approaching.
About this time, another bowler appeared and identified himself as a policeman and I handed over to him for CPR. I removed the patient’s glasses and his hat and put them safely out of harms way. EMS and two ambulance crews arrived followed by follow of my fellow brigade members.
The patient’s wife and daughter arrived and I spoke with them. On stabilizing, the patient
was transported to hospital 50 minutes away. I contacted the wife later in the week to be told that this was the seventh time he had had an attack, but that thanks to me he had survived this one with two broken ribs and had been flown with another chap we
resussed at our local returned services club on the Saturday night to the heart unit in Auckland to have a fibrillator fitted.
I see my man regularly at the bowling club and it is great to see him alive and well enjoying himself. As a result of this, I have been telling people including fellow bowlers to learn CPR as it can be the means to save so many lives
wherever we may be.
I am pleased to say that nine months ago we ran a course at the bowling club and had some 18 members come to learn to do CPR and get signed off on the AED.
Since then I have been to many CPR assist,s but none give the same buzz as this one did. Certainly a lot we do get to are K41-1 or status 0 but we do get some success.
I will keep up my skill for the future and hope that I can help somebody when they need help.
Bob Strong is a member of the Paraparaumu Fire Brigade Station 37, a volunteer fire brigade with a paid crew for 1st response turnout from 0730 to 1730 Monday to Friday. It provides provide fire and rescue services to a district thats extends some 3 kms north of the town and some 5kms south, the beach front and Kapiti Island off the coast and then ranges to the east.