Nicola is Magpas Air Ambulance’s community training and engagement officer. She teaches schools, community groups, businesses and the general public the lifesaving skills of CPR and how to use a defibrillator. Recently, Nicola shadowed one of Magpas Air Ambulance’s most senior paramedics on shift to see what the charity’s lifesaving medics do day in, day out.
Why did you want to do an observer shift?
I’ve taken on two observer shifts with the Magpas Air Ambulance team now. It makes me feel closer to the type of job I do.
As Magpas Air Ambulance’s CPR trainer, the people I teach often want to know I’ve had some first-hand experience. Being able to join our medics on shift gives me an insight not only into out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and CPR, but also what happens when the medical teams arrive. This means I can tell people exactly what goes on when the worst happens, and when I get the inevitable question “Have you seen a cardiac arrest?”, I can say “Yes, and that’s why I genuinely know how important it is to learn CPR”.
Who did you do it with?
I joined Magpas Air Ambulance Advanced Paramedic Ollie Robinson on shift.
Unlike the doctor-paramedic team that Magpas Air Ambulance provides 24/7 every day, the advanced paramedics provide an extra resource to the area and respond solo on a rapid response vehicle. Because of the extensive experience and skills the advanced paramedics can bring to the scene, they can provide medicine and treatment above that of a standard land ambulance.
On the day shift were Doctor Rich Booker and Critical Care Paramedic Sarah Walter, and as well as spending time with them on base, we came across them at one of the incidents when both Magpas Air Ambulance resources were tasked to the same mission.
How did the day start?
I got to the Magpas Air Ambulance base at 6:30 am, ready to start our shift at 7:00 am. I got changed into the protective uniform, we completed all the checks the teams do before every shift—making sure all the equipment is packed, the drugs are up to date and vehicles are checked—and Ollie booked us online, ready for the first emergency call.
After both Ollie and I, and the Magpas Air Ambulance team on that day had booked online, we all went over to a fundraising event that was ongoing at the time. It was a 24-hour fitness challenge happening nearby which we travelled to in the rapid response vehicles—so we could go immediately from that location if we were called.
The team were brilliant in this environment! They were chatting to everyone and getting involved with the challenge, but I was acutely aware of how quickly they had to switch into ‘work mode’ should they suddenly need to respond to an incident. And this happens whenever they stop by fundraising or community events.
At 8:30 am, we received our first emergency call.
How did it feel when the calls came in?
I was buzzing with adrenaline throughout the day, but when the phone rang, I was hit with a heap of emotions.
The adrenaline intensified; I had anticipation of what was to come, and worried if I would be able to cope with what I was about to see… But overall, I felt safe. I know if I’m with any member of the Magpas Air Ambulance team, they’ll always have one eye on you, an understanding of what you can handle, and will be there to debrief with afterwards—just as they do within their own team.
What’s it like to go in a rapid response vehicle?
I will never get used to being driven on blue lights!
What did surprise me was the amount of people who don’t move out of the way for emergency vehicles. It’s definitely something the public need to be more aware of.
Ultimately though, it was very cool to have the opportunity to be in a blue light vehicle. Especially a Magpas Air Ambulance one as the charity is so widely known in the community and the public recognised us—it made me feel proud to be involved with an organisation that’s so well regarded.
What incidents did you attend?
We had a really busy, and varied, shift. We went to a medical emergency, two cardiac arrests, a traumatic injury and a road traffic collision in our 12-hour shift (although that turned into a 13-hour shift once we’d returned to base!).
As the CPR trainer at Magpas Air Ambulance, I was particularly interested in the cardiac arrests. Witnesses described hearing one of the patients ‘snoring’ prior to calling 999—which we think must have been what’s called agonal breathing, something I teach in my training sessions.
I also saw a LUCAS device being used in real life for the first time. These mechanical devices provide patients with CPR while the emergency services, such as Magpas Air Ambulance, can focus on other elements of their care.
The incident that’s stuck with me the most though was a multi-vehicle collision that resulted in several injured patients and lots of emergency services personnel on scene. Ollie not only helped to coordinate the medical response, but he also looked after multiple patients, which was incredible to see.
What do you think of our medics having seen them work first-hand?
What really struck me was how well all the emergency services work together. Watching in real-time as people took charge, seeing the discussions that were had quickly and sufficiently, and the plans that were implemented seamlessly as a result. It was also really cool that when we arrived at hospital with one of the patients, the doctor in Addenbrooke’s emergency department was also one that regularly works with Magpas Air Ambulance—seeing her in her other role was so interesting too.
The skills the Magpas Air Ambulance clinicians have just seem to be a cut above the rest—and that’s down to the intense training and extensive experience they have looking after the sickest people in the region 24/7. When these doctors and paramedics arrive at the scene of an emergency, there genuinely seems to be a wave of calmness and professionalism that comes with them. Seeing this in the flesh made me so proud to be a part of such an incredible charity, and I’m in awe of these clinicians who are saving lives in our communities every single day.
