QUARTERLY MAGAZINE
ISSUE 2 – DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.ER24.CO.ZA
MAKE IT YOURS
Be water safety savvy this summer
LAUREN:
Choosing to live
FIND US ON
IN THIS ISSUE Front page stories 6
Lauren: Choosing to live
It was Lauren’s injury on duty that possibly helped to save her life.
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Be water safety savvy this summer
Company interest 20
CPR pouches sponsored to ‘Red Zone’
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Rugby boys kitted by ER24
Clinical 19
The story of Miss Nawa
This was potentially life-threatening, and there was overwhelming support from our client to do what was best for our beautiful patient.
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Saved by the “red martians”
Awareness 5
Children at risk for dog attacks
This year, ER24 responded to a total of 103 dog attacks.
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Is excessive sweating a problem?
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Safety tips for the festive season
ER24 staff 14
A tribute to the man known as ‘Mr ER24’
“We dressed him in his flight suit because he died a hero. He died while on his way to save someone else and I wanted to honour that moment.”
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Answering the call to inspire
ER24 events 16
ER24 out and about at Lanseria
ER24, as well as Life Fourways and Johannesburg Metro EMS, completed a successful airplane crash evacuation drill at Lanseria International Airport in November.
CONTACT:
Email: communications@er24.co.za Tel: 0861 084124 Web: https://er24.co.za Emergencies: 084 124
DESIGN AND LAYOUT: Mediclinic Design Studio Ineke van Huyssteen
COPY COMPILED BY: Ineke van Huysteen Caryn Ross Mediclinic infohub
STOCK IMAGES: iStock (Getty Images)
NEXT EDITION:
The next edition of Priority One will be published at the end of the first quarter of 2018.
NEXT CONTENT DEADLINE:
Content for consideration may be sent to ER24 Communications Department by any staff member or client. Send content to communications@er24.co.za
Anton Ungerer (middle) thanked Monard Stockigt (left) and Hoosain Ras (right) for saving his life.
Saved by the “red martians” Vehicle and motorbike collisions, pedestrian knock overs, and drownings. These are some of the incidents that ER24 paramedics respond to on a regular basis but many of these are success stories that aren’t always told.
On Wednesday 18 October 2017 around lunchtime, Anton Ungerer (59) was on his way back to work in Joostenberg Vlakte when he suffered a massive myocardial infarction (heart attack) and crashed into a lamp pole. “When I stopped on the scene I could see this wasn’t just a vehicle collision. I could see this was a very serious issue,” says Monard Stockigt, a paramedic from ER24’s Bellville North metropole. “Anton had a very weak and slow pulse. I pulled him out of the vehicle as quickly as I could. In this instance, it was life over limb. I immediately put him on the ECG and saw that he had a myocardial infarction with a third-degree heart block. He was very unstable. We then put him on our pacer and supplied him with an IV drip as well as oxygen and transported him through to hospital,” said Monard.
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When we pace (to deliver pulses of electric current through the chest to stimulate the heart to contract and beat) somebody, we need to have them attached to our ECG. In the prehospital environment, we start pacing trans-cutaneously which can be very painful, but it is life-saving for most of our patients with life-threatening heart blocks. “It was very difficult to manage him in the back of the ambulance and he kept trying to rip the ECG leads off. Every time he took the leads off I was basically back to square one,” said Monard. When they arrived at the hospital and the handover was done, a decision was made to do an RSI (an advanced airway technique). They also left Anton on the pacer for about two hours. More than two weeks later Anton walked out of the hospital having had a quadruple cardiac bypass. “All I can remember from that day is that I stopped at a red robot. The next thing I remembered while waking up in the ambulance were these two ‘red martians’ above me. The one had a very long beard. They were busy shocking me and I felt this strong sensation that went through my body,”
| PRIORITY ONE | ISSUE 2 – DECEMBER 2017
said Anton. He suffered his first heart attack a few years ago but this time around it was a lot worse. “During my first heart attack, they put stents in. This time the doctors’ suspect that one of my stents was blocked or that I had a blood clot. This is possibly what could have triggered my second heart attack,” said Anton. “I think this was such a remarkable recovery as he suffered quite a big heart attack. The fact that he walked out of there, you know, normal is remarkable. The role of the first responder is vital – it can sometimes be the difference between life and death,” said Monard. “You have to make swift decisions with regard to immediate care and the closest appropriate hospital that can provide further medical care to the patient,” said Monard. Although Anton might not remember a lot about that day, he is thankful to Monard and Hoosain Ras (BLS medic) for reaching him in time and saving his life on that Wednesday afternoon. “Thanks so much to ER24. I will always remember Monard and Hoosain and I will always, always be thankful to them,” said Anton.
CHILDREN AT RISK FOR DOG ATTACKS
This year, ER24 responded to a total of 103 dog attacks. A recent case was where a 6-month-old baby boy was killed after he was bitten multiple times by a dog in Primrose in Johannesburg. A woman was also recently attacked by three dogs in Moreleta Park. Although dog attacks can happen anywhere and to anyone, children are still more vulnerable to these incidents.
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hannon McKay, Chairperson of the Animal Behavior Consultants of SA explains why. “This is probably due to two reasons; namely size and knowledge. A child’s smaller size and their more active body movements could simultaneously cause a dog to feel less concern for potential retaliation and their prey drive toward smaller animals could be triggered by a child’s erratic movements. Most children are also less skilled at interpreting canine body language and are thus less likely to diffuse or avoid an aggressive encounter. For these reasons, parents should not allow unsupervised interaction between dogs and children,” said Shannon. She also explains that it is not always possible to say why dogs attack people. “It would be like trying to answer why people attack other people. There are a multitude of possible reasons – poor genetics, inappropriate environment, incorrect raising, inadvertent training, poor health, past experiences, etc. If all dogs were to be ethically bred, appropriately socialised and managed according to their individual nature the instances of maulings would decrease substantially.” Shannon does offer suggestions to reduce the possibility of attacks. “The most important consideration is proper management of the dog. Being aware of signals that a Volupta doluptam, idel dog is moving into an uncomfortable, invellature, picipsa eptatiam. anxious or aggressive mindset is
crucial. Subtle signs that point to these states can be tongue flicks, yawns, turning the head or body away or even walking away. More intense signals can include closing of the mouth, stiffening of the body, growling, staring or walking slowly toward the intended victim. These signs are often ignored or not noticed for a period of time and then an attack appears to come out of the blue, yet it had been brewing for a long time. If a dog owner has any concerns, they should consult an accredited canine behaviour consultant for immediate assistance. Furthermore, dog owners need to acquire, house and manage their dog appropriately. If a large breed dog is acquired for the purposes of protection, the dog should be very strictly managed and controlled.” We asked Dr. Robyn Holgate, ER24’s Chief Medical Officer, if one should always see a medical practitioner when you’ve been bitten by a dog and also what the treatment would usually consist of. Her advice: “If the dog is unfamiliar, and you are unable to manage the injury with basic first aid at home, it’s best to see a doctor. “Clinically, we would triage the severity of the injury. Patients who have sustained severe injuries should be resuscitated first. Treatment may involve direct pressure to stop the bleeding and attention to the airway and breathing. The decision on whether to suture a wound or not is best left to your doctor, as some
wounds with a high risk for infection may be left open to heal by secondary intention (a wound is left open and closes naturally). Wounds on the face should only be sutured by a specialist after extensive cleaning and irrigation. Most patients with minor bite wounds can be treated as out patients. The key to preventing infection and promoting wound healing is wound cleaning and disinfection. Routine antibiotic prophylaxis is not recommended for all bite wounds. Tetanus prophylaxis should be considered if not vaccinated in the past 5 years. The decision to start rabies prophylaxis is based on whether there are any current rabies outbreaks and what is known about the incident and dog. We use a wound classification to decide on whether immunoglobulin and/ or the vaccine should be given,” said Robyn.
ISSUE 2 – DECEMBER 2017 | PRIORITY ONE |
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LAUREN: CHOOSING TO LIVE “I did not expect anything like this at my age. I was 29 when I was diagnosed. I wasn’t prepared for it at all, but I suppose you never really are.”
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| PRIORITY ONE | ISSUE 1 – DECEMBER 2017
Lauren de Swardt in front of the ER24 ambulance at the Witbank base.
ISSUE 1 – DECEMBER 2017 | PRIORITY ONE |
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On the 28th of March this year, Lauren de Swardt (30), an Intermediate Life Support (ILS) medic from the ER24 Witbank base, was diagnosed with Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis. This is a rare type of lung cancer for which Lauren has already received 15 chemo sessions. The night things changed Lauren, who grew up in Kempton Park, attended to a little girl on scene in February, not realising that she’d also end up in hospital later that night. But it was Lauren’s injury on duty that possibly helped to save her life. “I was busy treating a little girl in the back of the ambulance when a vehicle drove into us. Afterwards, when I went to hospital, they realised that I had not only fractured a rib, but I also had lesions on my lungs,” said Lauren. Thus, Lauren’s long and difficult journey began. “The chemo has taken quite a toll on my body. I am very nauseous, lethargic and of course my hair started falling out after the first session. I shaved my head right to the very end. I didn’t want to be depressed as I saw these patches,” said Lauren. Earlier this year, her family and crew members from the Witbank branch showed their support by shaving their hair off. “The support I received has been amazing. Not only from ER24 but from all my colleagues. It was quite an emotional day but it was clear that I was not going through this alone,” said Lauren. Unfortunately, cancer has played quite a big part in Lauren’s life even before being diagnosed herself. She’s lost her mother and a number of her close family members to this disease. Despite all of this, Lauren remains unbelievably positive. This she attributes to her friends, colleagues, family and her bucket-list. “The support I’ve received from all my colleagues has been phenomenal
– before and after my diagnosis. I also feel for the colleagues who, unfortunately, from June (she has been booked off from work since then) have had to cover my shifts. I feel terrible about it,” said Lauren. The now-list Although Lauren started a bucket list in 2011, she continued with it this year not because she thought she was going to die but because she really wanted to celebrate her life now. A bucket list is a number of experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime. Some of the things she’s ticked off hers, with the help of friends, is the annual Greatest Train Race, the Jeep Warrior Race as well as a weekend away with some of her closest friends. The Greatest Train Race, a race that starts in eMalahleni and ends in Middelburg, proved to be quite an emotional day for Lauren. “I’ve always wanted to do the race. My friend Estie Biela opted to run the 15km race. Estie completed the first 10km on her own and for the last 5km of the race she pushed me in a wheelchair to the end. I wasn’t allowed to run as this puts strain on my lungs,” said Lauren. Estie is Lauren’s best friend and an operational paramedic at the ER24 Witbank base. She’s been next to Lauren’s side from the start. “In the beginning, I felt quite useless and I felt bad that Estie had to help me. We teamed up together and I think it is something that we won’t forget. It was an emotional experience because she was willing to help me. It’s so fulfilling and such a great feeling to know that I have someone in my life willing to do this for me,” said Lauren.
Estie Biela (left) and Lauren embracing one another after a tough 2017. Estie is Lauren’s best friend.
“As a friend, it is my job to cheer her up. It doesn’t matter how I feel, for me it is about helping her to remain positive and happy,” said Estie. “The train race was so much fun. We chatted and laughed during the race. It was also important to show Lauren that she
can do this. She has been judged by people all through her life and she never lets it get to her, she faces it head on. She is a big inspiration to us all,” said Estie. “I believe that God gave me the vision of life through this life-threatening illness. I really wish that people could see life the way I have - just without the sickness,” said Lauren. Some of the other things on Lauren’s list includes visiting Cape Town for the first time, skydiving and playing paintball. Karlien Nell, one of Lauren’s colleagues, speaks warmheartedly of their friendship but also of Lauren as a medic. “She is a great medic and we miss her terribly here at the base. She encouraged me to further my studies and there is not a day that passes that you don’t learn from her. It’s been quite hectic without her, I’ve actually been one of the unfortunate souls who have been covering her shifts,” laughs Karlien. “But although it is tough and draining we
know if the roles were reversed she would have done the same for us.” The start of 2017 might not have been the best year for Lauren, but with only one more chemo session to go she is adamant that she will be back at work sooner than later. “Even if you are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, it shouldn’t be a life sentence. Your mind and your faith is so important - I believe that it doesn’t matter how bad things get, you can still get up. That’s what I did.” To watch ER24’s video on Lauren, scan the QR code or visit youtube.com/er24ems
FIND US ONLINE haritatum volorer emporia ditatur iamusan dellor arum velit veles sunte ne veniamendae non prest il ipienet que officium auta voluptae odia quae debisqu i nonem amusapicil ius, nonem non nullace pedictur? Fera ped most, il officatur, occus modiorio beat. Menda cusae veri quasi torae nit occaectem solupta corrovi delest que comnihi llorpor esequis simped moditi am dolut volupta tecestr uptatium alibearum abo. Caborro conserum quam essum illes et porem. Mo maximagnis provit evenderibus sequi tem aboreperate quam, qui cone volorem verum eum voles inctus acea ium rectemquae omnis dolesequi debis imillatum estiis atus. Epeditat. Itae. Nam et ressum rem alitamus non porum, ides volupta sinisitium estiatur? Volupta doluptam, idel invellature, consedi picipsa eptatiam, voluptatiae exeri verum autendae pedis ipid quossi dolo voluptae volupta sanditatus as et, nullabo. Assecta nia dolectur? Equo molest, ut vid molupta voluptat. Sitiist est, si amenderis autempo rumquis eos expland endias eriorioris cum fugitaquunda nonseque ni cus nonse atum eaquis int occus core aut acestibeate perferia nonseri buscimo volore plandia temolum facestorem alibus pella nem qui seque et moluptatus aut alitibercia vel ipidel ilit rem fugia pe voluptatibus autem rehende lecesectatet enis
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To find out more about ER24’s offerings online, including the latest news and products, you can find us on the following platforms:
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FIND US ONLINE CONNECT WITH ER24
To find out more about ER24’s offerings online, including the latest news and products, you can find us on the following platforms:
facebook.com/er24ambulance
twitter.com/er24ems
twitter.com/er24ems
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youtube.com/er24ems
soundcloud.com/er24ems
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instagram.com/er24ems
| PRIORITY ONE | ISSUE 1 – JULY 2017
youtube.com/er24ems
soundcloud.com/er24ems
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| PRIORITY ONE | ISSUE 2 – DECEMBER 2017
ISSUE 1 – JULY 2017 | PRIORITY ONE |
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BE WATER SAFETY SAVVY THIS SUMMER
In recent months ER24 has responded to a number of drownings. Two people lost their lives in two separate incidents in KwaZulu-Natal dams and a 1-year-old drowned in the swimming Volupta doluptam,pool idel of his family’s home in Kempton Park. The number of drowning incidents will most likely increase leadingpicipsa up toeptatiam. the summer months and the festive invellature, holidays.
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atasha Kriel, an Advanced Life Support paramedic at ER24’s South Metro branch in the Western Cape, spoke to us about drownings and what safety tips to follow when spending time next to the pool or at the beach. Natasha is also a lifeguard with 8 years’ experience and, with the help of the NSRI, she established a lifesaving club in her hometown of Melkbosstrand.
Safety tips around beaches:
“Holidaymakers flock to the beaches for some relaxation time during Summer. It is sometimes difficult to ensure that all swimmers are water safety conscious, especially when they swim at beaches or dams where there are no active lifeguards on duty. A few years ago, while I was patrolling Milnerton beach there was a drowning in progress at the lagoon which is about 800m from where our patrol area was. We ran down and started searching for the person but we never found them. That was quite a sad case for me because they were swimming so far from where we were patrolling - we ended up being too late. The designated areas are there for a reason. They are there for safety, not just for the currents but also closer to where the lifeguards are - which in turn ensures that our response times are shorter, quicker and we can get to the person before they submerge,” said Natasha
•Make sure that you are seen by lifeguards in the water. Don’t swim outside the designated swimming area, i.e. outside the flags. This area is chosen because there are no currents and it is outside the surf zones
Safety tips around pools:
•Never swim alone.
•Secure your pool area with appropriate barriers. Barriers that can’t be pushed down by little kids.
In both instances, learn to do basic CPR. Make sure the person is out of the water, awake and breathing. Shout for help.
•Swim where there are lifeguards on duty. Go during lifeguard patrolling hours. It will usually be from 10:00-18:00. Don’t swim before or after that. You can still visit the beach at that time but try to stay out of the water until lifeguards arrive.
•Swimmers need to watch out for surfers and surfers need to watch out for swimmers. •Don’t drink alcohol on the beach. This is illegal and extremely dangerous. Alcohol dulls your senses which in turn makes it difficult to swim. You don’t realise that you may be hypothermic and that your limbs don’t work as well as they should. •By dulling your senses, alcohol may inhibit your ability to sense when your children are in danger
•Never leave children unsupervised near water. •Stay within arm’s length from little children as they submerge very quickly - especially if the water is murky. •Make sure that children don’t play rough in the pool and jump on top of one another. •It is important that adults who supervise must be able to swim as well.
“The public needs to be educated around children and water; baths, buckets of water, any form of water can be dangerous. It is vital that you learn first aid and CPR. You never know when you may need to assist someone in need. Educate yourself and ensure your child’s safety,” said Natasha. ER24 urges everyone to be safe around any body of water and to call 084 124 if you find yourself in any type of emergency.
•Remember that anyone, including people who can swim, are at risk of drowning •Avoid taking risks and being overconfident. “One of the biggest dangers are when the children get in trouble and family members jump in to assist but they can’t swim either and we end up with mass casualties. This happens at beaches and dams quite often,” said Natasha. “We once had a call out of a drowning in progress of about six people in Camps Bay. The season hadn’t started yet (in the Western Cape the season starts on 1 November and closes again after the April school holidays) so there were no lifeguards on duty. By the time we arrived, bystanders had managed to pull all the patients from the water. The one patient probably inhaled too much water and she had stopped breathing. She had no pulse and bystander CPR was done on her. We continued to do CPR until we got to idel the Volupta hospitaldoluptam, but unfortunately she did not survive,” said invellature, picipsa eptatiam. Natasha.
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A TRIBUTE TO THE MAN KNOWN AS ‘MR ER24’ Vicky Govender, a medic from ER24 Highway (KZN), died during the early hours of Friday 13 October 2017. Vicky and his partner, Tracy Bederson, were involved in a serious collision on Tuesday 10 October during the Durban storms when they placed their lives on the line to save others.
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n Sunday 15 October 2017, Vicky Govender was cremated in his red ER24 flight suit at Clare Estate Umgeni Hindu Crematorium in Durban.
“We dressed him in his flight suit because he died a hero. He died while on his way to save someone else and I wanted to honour that moment. He loved ER24, he loved his uniform and he loved his van. He really gave his whole life to ER24,” said Nancy Govender, Vicky’s wife. Vicky played an integral part in ER24 and in his community and this was evident in the emotional send-off that he got on the day of his funeral. A procession of hundreds of ambulances, metro police vehicles and people from all walks of life came to say their final goodbyes to the hero known as Mr ER24. “He paid the ultimate sacrifice and he deserved a great farewell. I believe that is exactly what he got,” said Derrick Banks, branch manager of ER24 Highway (KZN). Nancy and Vicky would have been married for 27 years on 22 December. No one could deny that Nancy was Vicky’s whole life and an emotional Nancy spoke to us about the void her husband leaves behind. “He gave me a lot of love and I will really miss him. On the morning of his last surgery he said he loved me and that I must wait for him, not realising that Vicky was not coming back to me. A big part of my life is gone with him forever. He loved saving lives, he loved helping people and he never expected any recognition for it,” said Nancy. Vicky also leaves behind his three children, twin girls Tacia and Tanya (23) and Mershin, his 10-year-old son. “We feel so proud being his children and we are so proud of our dad.
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We’d like to thank everyone who has been with us through this difficult time. Everyone has been hailing him as a hero, but I knew he was a hero way before that. I am proud that everyone got to see him the way we saw him,” said Tacia. “As a medic, you know the risks and you take those risks but it still remains a massive loss to our team. He truly had a heart of a 21-year-old and everybody in Merebank knew Vicky as Mr ER24. If you needed something Vicky was there in his ambulance. Although he could be quite stubborn at times, patient care always came first. We will miss him a lot,” said Derrick. Josh Naidoo, Vicky’s friend for the last 20 years and also his colleague, remembers him as a jovial person. “Ballie (Vicky’s nickname) was someone you could always confide in. He could never say no and always wanted to help. In EMS, regardless of who you work for, you are all family and that is why something like this really hits you hard,” said Josh. For Athish Mohun, another colleague of Vicky, his smile and jokes will forever be missed. “He showed me the ‘ins and outs’ of the emergency medical service. There are two things about Vicky that always stood out: You don’t go home in a bad mood and you don’t go home hungry,” laughs Athish. “I know ER24 will never forget about us. We are still one big family. Derrick helped me through this difficult time and I really want to give my gratitude to him,” said Nancy. Rest in peace Vicky, you will remain a hero in our hearts. You are sorely missed by everyone at ER24. To watch ER24’s video on Vicky, scan the QR code or visit youtube.com/er24ems
Vicky Govender, an ER24 medic, was known in his community as ‘Mr ER24’.
ER24 OUT AND ABOUT AT LANSERIA
ABOVE: ER24, as well as Life Fourways and Johannesburg Metro EMS, completed a successful airplane crash evacuation drill at Lanseria International Airport in November.
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ABOVE: ER24 crew standing in front of state of the art fire trucks that were also on standby for the drill.
ABOVE: ER24, alongside Life Fourways, treating one of the mock patients from the airplane crash evacuation.
ISSUE 2 – DECEMBER 2017 | PRIORITY ONE |
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ABOVE: ER24 is visible at the standby area at the Lanseria International Airport.
Miss Linyunga Nawa walking on her new prosthetic leg
ABOVE: ER24 paramedics busy with patient removal.
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THE STORY OF MISS NAWA
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very day I get to go home and feel happy about my amazing job, never a day the same but always the opportunity to feel joy. Yes, lots of sadness too, but the family love we have at ER24 is what sets us apart from any other emergency service. Sometimes, it’s not only about the care and compassion the staff in our team have for each other and our patients and their families, it’s also about our incredible clients and how we can assist them to make a difference.
On 21 September, we received a call from Walter, our project sales manager in Mining to inform us that our corporate client, Stefanutti Stocks, had a construction worker who was run over by a truck while waving a flag for vehicles to slow down in an area of construction work in rural Zambia. The reality of a road accident patient lying helpless on a dirt road with no immediate care flashed through my mind, and were confirmed with photographs of the accident, and were made even worse once we realised there was no chance of moving her out until daylight. I remember speaking to the medical team at the hospital she was transported to in Mongu that night. They didn’t have much, but they chose to operate on her leg which was bleeding profusely. The doctor had indicated that she was too weak. He was busy operating on her and early indication was that he would amputate the leg just above the knee. They could not stop the bleeding and she already had 4 pints of blood (all they had). They saved Liny Nawa’s life that night, and we all held vigil until our service provider’s aircraft could land at first light to transport her to better care in Lusaka. An entire team, from our flight paramedic, Illze and our flight desk team worked tirelessly on a solution to evacuate our 29-year-old breadwinner to more definitive care. The Stefanutti Stocks team were incredible, even driving to the hospital so that we could speak with the doctor and get clinical updates on her condition as the landlines were down. Once in Lusaka, Liny was taken to theatre again for ongoing wound care but in the days post amputation she developed septic shock from the sepsis in her leg and other injuries sustained. This was potentially life-threatening, and there was overwhelming support from our client again to do what was best for our beautiful patient. So we made another decision to evacuate her to Mediclinic Sandton six days after
Dr Robyn Holgate
the accident. This time our Citation V jet with ER24 medical crew on board went to fetch her. Imagine being transported to another country in a critical condition not knowing what the future holds and where you don’t even speak their language. On arrival in South Africa, Liny was taken to theatre, and I remember going to see a very scared, pale, sick patient who I prayed again would make it. There was a family of staff at ER24, Stefanutti Stocks and Mediclinic that have done everything for her in the past months, and finally the tears of sadness and fear faded as she could be transferred to rehabilitation, and then a video from Danie at Stefanutti Stocks on 23 November with Liny walking on her new prosthetic leg. This time, tears of joy knowing that we helped to change the outcome for a breadwinner, sister, daughter and employee. The smile on her face, together with the concentration along the walking rail will forever be remembered in my heart. This is a story of incredible team work, a client who had an overwhelming need to help their employee and our ER24 team, more than just an emergency service. This is the reason why we do what we do. This is why you are welcome to call any ER24 team member any time of the day or night, our passion to care is what will always drive us to do the best we can. As Christmas and the festive season approach us, I have so much to be grateful for, but most importantly I am thankful for the opportunity to serve others with my clinical knowledge and expertise.
Liny Nawa walking on her new prosthetic leg in hospital.
ISSUE 2 – DECEMBER 2017 | PRIORITY ONE |
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Annine Siddall, ER24 spokesperson, hands over the 100 CPR pouches to Joanie Fredericks, chairperson of The Mitchells Plain Crisis Forum (MPCF).
CPR pouches sponsored to ‘Red Zone’ In September, IOL reported that the Western Cape’s so called ‘red zones’ had increased from 11 to 15 areas. Beacon Valley, Rocklands, Heideveld and Chicago in Paarl were added to the list of areas paramedics cannot enter without a police escort. This was announced in the same month that emergency medical services staff were unable to reach a patient in Mitchells Plain because they, along with the police, came under attack in Rocklands. ER24 recently met with The Mitchells Plain Crisis Forum (MPCF) to further the discussion on improving the relationship between emergency medical services and community members of the identified
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red zones.
The Mitchells Plain Crisis Forum was formed after the tragic rape and murder of a young girl in Tafelsig in Mitchells Plain. Community members, workers and faith based organisations all came together to make sure that incidents like these would never be repeated. Since then, the forum has established a strong relationship with law enforcement and the courts within the community.
fears,” said Joanie Fredericks, chairperson of MPCF. Fredericks says the forum regards the role of paramedics with “utmost importance as it means the difference between life and death.” ER24 applauds the work the MPCF does in the community and sponsored a hundred CPR pouches to the forum to be able to assist community members in need, especially during cases where paramedics have difficulty getting to patients in time.
“We work closely with all relevant law enforcement agencies in our efforts to ensure that justice prevails. MPCF also wants to establish a relationship with ER24 to ensure this function can be performed without interruption or safety
Other ‘red zones’ include Browns Farm in Philippi, Tafelsig, Hyden Park, Nyanga, Gugulethu, New Crossroads, Manenberg, Hanover Park, Kalksteenfontein, Site C in Khayelitsha and J-Section in Lingelethu West.
| PRIORITY ONE | ISSUE 2 – DECEMBER 2017
IS EXCESSIVE SWEATING A PROBLEM?
It’s not life-threatening but being constantly drenched in perspiration can cause extreme embarrassment and painful skin conditions. It could also be a sign of an underlying medical problem.
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o you always have to wipe your hand before offering it to shake? Do you shudder at the thought of hugging someone? ‘Known as hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating is likely to cause you a certain degree of psychological distress,’ says Dr Muhammed-Ameen Moosa, a dermatologist at Mediclinic Limpopo. ‘Sufferers often experience a reduced quality of life, limiting their social and professional interactions because of embarrassment. It can also be a warning sign of other conditions such as thyroid problems, diabetes or tuberculosis. In some cases, excessive sweating can also be caused by a reaction to certain medication. Dr Moosa explains that the classification of this uncomfortable symptom can be puzzling. If it is localised to on one or more specific areas of your body (such as your underarms, palms, soles or face) it’s
called focal hyperhidrosis. When it affects your entire body, it’s known as generalised hyperhidrosis. Then, if the hyperhidrosis is the main problem, without any underlying cause, it’s referred to as primary or essential. It usually begins in childhood and may be hereditary. Sufferers usually don’t experience heavy sweating during sleep. Hyperhidrosis due to underlying medical problems or medication is called secondary hyperhidrosis. As Dr Moosa explains, treatment options for focal hyperhidrosis include over-thecounter aluminium chloride antiperspirants (not deodorant) and / or Botox (onabotulinumtoxin A) injections. ‘These block the nerves that trigger sweat glands and repeat treatments are necessary. Alicholinergic drugs (that block a particular neurotransmitter in the central nervous system) might also be prescribed. And sufferers should steer clear of synthetic materials when it come to shoes, socks
and clothing as these fibres may worsen symptoms. Unlike those with primary hyperhidrosis, people with secondary generalised hyperhidrosis sweat too much because of a variety of underlying health conditions. These include – but aren’t limited to – obesity, gout, anxiety, rheumatoid arthritis, menopause, diabetes, mercury poisoning, heart disease, tuberculosis, alcohol abuse, an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or even malignancies like lymphoma. ‘Usually, if you have an underlying medical condition, you’ll also have other symptoms, such as weight change, dizziness, fatigue, loss of appetite or headaches,’ Dr Moosa adds. ‘Certain medications, such as antidepressants or zinc supplements can cause your secondary hyperhidrosis, so it is important to seek professional help to determine the cause.’
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Innocent Tsotetsi in the library he helped to establish at the Eldorado Park Primary school.
ANSWERING THE CALL TO INSPIRE Not all heroes can be seen. Some play an important role as the link between the person in distress and dispatching an ambulance to the relevant location. Innocent Tsotetsi is one such hero.
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nnocent is a Team Leader at the ER24 Contact Centre in Paulshof in Johannesburg, a father of two young girls and a husband to Diana. At ER24, he runs the floor and ensures that all emergency calls are answered. Aside from working long hours under immense pressure, Innocent also answered another ‘call’. The call to help his wife establish a library at the Eldorado Park Primary school.
brought great excitement as the community library is not always accessible to all our learners. They now have resources close to them. We are also thankful to ER24 for sponsoring a first aid kit as this is always needed at the school,” said Delyse. “The library is constantly full. Reading has brought change to our children,” said Rowena Goss, vice-principal at Eldorado Park Primary school.
“Last year my wife was working at the school and she desperately wanted to open a library there. We both love reading and we wanted to do it for the community. There was a great need for this. Children can’t read anymore and aside from reading their prescribed homework they don’t read for fun,” said Innocent. First, Innocent had to collect books. He posted a plea on social media and drove to every corner of Johannesburg to collect the books from willing contributors. He started collecting books last year November and by March this year he had already collected 500 books. He did this during the little time he had off in the week and on weekends. “I am proud of my idea, but I am even prouder of my husband for the support and motivation I received from him. His vehicle was always loaded with books and he was willing to help all the time. This would not have been possible without him. I might have been the teacher, but he is the support structure behind everything that you see in this library,” said Diana. Innocent and his wife believe in paying it forward. “It is more important to change someone else’s life for the better than it is to focus on your own. Establishing a library at a school means that we’ll have more paramedics or doctors in the future. We want to see change in the community through reading,” said Innocent. The library, a shipping container filled with about 3 000 books, was officially opened at the school last month and 1 259 children are benefitting from it. Delyse Klassen, principal of the school, is grateful to Innocent and Diana. “The library
Innocent says that he supports his wife through everything because she supports him too. And a supportive partner is pertinent in the emergency service industry. “She knows me very well. She understands the line of work I am in,” said Innocent. “Sometimes he doesn’t have to say anything, I just know. We had a traumatic experience with our daughter who was 4 at the time. We saw her being knocked over by a vehicle. When I saw the paramedics on the scene, he helped to explain the process to me. I have great respect for the work he does and the long hours he puts in. It is important that we support each other in the things we are passionate about,” said Diana. Willem Stassen, clinical coordinator at the ER24 Contact Centre, regularly works with Innocent and admires his empathy towards everyone. “He has a true understanding of what someone else might be going through. He has compassion and care for people he doesn’t even know. He takes personal accountability for getting vehicles to patients quickly. He also exhibits care and empathy towards his colleagues.” Willem, who shares Innocent’s passion for education, is very proud of him and the role he played to enrich the lives of others through books and knowledge. “The best way to improve this country is through education. Literacy and vocabulary are great skills to have. The library made a big difference and Innocent was paramount in getting that done,” said Willem. “You have to have a heart for someone else. You have to bring change, not wait for someone else to,” said Innocent.
… He has a true understanding of what someone else might be going through. To watch ER24’s video on Innocent, scan the QR code or visit youtube.com/er24ems
Diana and Innocent Tsotetsi.
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SAFETY TIPS FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON Volupta doluptam, idel invellature, picipsa eptatiam.
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| PRIORITY ONE | ISSUE 2 – DECEMBER 2017
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s the year draws to a close and the festive season starts, ER24 is urging everyone not to let their guard down while they go on vacation. It is vital whether you are on the roads or at home to stay safe during this time and to also keep an eye on your children at all times. If you plan on driving to your destination, remember the following: •
Ensure your vehicle is roadworthy. Remember to check all fluids in the vehicle. Make sure the rear and front signal lights, wipers and headlights are working. Also check the tyre wear and tear.
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Ensure you have a spare wheel, first aid kit and fire extinguisher in the vehicle.
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It is never a bad idea to plan your route. Take note of all filling stations, police stations and hospitals.
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Have a look at the weather forecast for the route you are going to take as well as the area you will be spending time at to determine if it is still worthwhile to go. If you decide to go, make sure you pack appropriately.
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When packing, consider where you are going and what you are going to be doing. Take the appropriate clothes and shoes.
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Keep a list of telephone numbers of people to contact and your medical history. That will come in handy in case of an emergency.
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Let people you trust know where you are going and when they can expect you back.
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Always ensure children in the vehicle are appropriately restrained. Use a child safety seat where applicable and ensure it is strapped in correctly.
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Do not drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
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If you are driving in direct sunshine, wear sunglasses. Glare strains the eyes and adds to fatigue. Do not wear tinted glasses after dark. Although they help reduce the dazzle of incoming headlights, they restrict your ability to see dimly lit objects.
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Make sure you rest before your journey. Take as many breaks as you need while driving.
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Refrain from road rage. If someone annoys you, rather keep your distance and ignore them.
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Be alert at all times and do not speed
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If you plan on going camping or sightseeing there are a few things to keep in mind. Do some research about the area if you have never been there. It is better to know what to expect so you can plan accordingly. Some areas may be high-risk for malaria for example. It is vital for people to take medication prior to visiting a high-risk area to reduce chances of being infected. If you go hiking or sightseeing to areas that include cliffs, be aware of your surroundings. Be careful as you could be stepping on loose stones or rocks. If there are children with you, ensure you know where they are at all times. This should be something you ensure at all times whether you are outdoors or anywhere else for that matter. Braai Nothing beats a good old-fashioned braai with family. If you decide to have a braai while on holiday, ensure you are allowed to do so at the location you have chosen. If you do have a braai, be careful. Keep a fire extinguisher close by. The braai stand should not be placed in or close to the only escape. The braai stand should also be sturdy. Adult supervision is a must when children are around open fires. Also teach children about the dangers of playing with matches and lighters. Never abandon the fire. Make sure it is extinguished when you are done with the braai. What to do in an accident Many people, when involved in an accident do not know what to do. Some guidelines and suggestions are outlined below. •
Stop immediately
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Establish whether or not any parties have sustained injuries
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Provide your name, address, registration and who the owner is of your vehicle to the other parties involved and get the same information from them. Always carry a notebook and pen in your car.
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If there are injures, do not move the vehicles. Call the police and ER24 on 084 124 and only move the vehicles with the authority of a traffic officer
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Do not consume alcohol or take any drugs before reporting to a police station.
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Make sure you record the date, time and all the details of the accident (diagrams are helpful here)
ER24 wishes everyone a safe festive season.
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BEAT THE HEAT WITH SUMMER ALMOST UPON US, PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY BY KNOWING THE SIGNS, SYMPTOMS AND FIRST AID PROCEDURE FOR HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES. HEAT ILLNESS CAN COME ABOUT QUICKLY AND SYMPTOMS CAN OCCUR IN ANY ORDER.
LESS SEVERE HEAT RASH/PRICKLY HEAT • Red cluster of pimples or small blisters, usually on neck, upper chest, groin, Volupta underdoluptam, breasts,idel and in invellature, picipsa eptatiam. elbow creases • Extensive areas of skin that do not sweat on heat exposure, but present gooseflesh appearance that
subsides with cool environments What do I do? • Keep rash area dry • Natural, unscented talcum powder can be applied to increase comfort • Do not use ointments or creams, as they may impair cooling – warm, moist skin can make the rash worse
• When possible, a cooler, less humid work environment is the best treatment HEAT CRAMPS • Muscle cramps, pain, or spasms in the abdomen, arms, or legs
What do I do? • Drink water and fluid with electrolytes every 15 - 20 minutes and eat a snack • Avoid salt tablets • Get medical help if the person has heart problems, is on a low sodium diet, or if cramps do not subside within one hour
SEVERE HEAT SYNCOPE (FAINTING) • Fainting, dizziness, or light-headedness after standing or suddenly rising from a sitting/lying position What do I do? • Sit or lie down in a cool place when beginning to feel faint or dizzy
• Slowly drink water, juice or a sports drink HEAT EXHAUSTION • Headache • Nausea • Dizziness, weakness • Irritability • Thirst, heavy sweating • Elevated body temperature • Decreased urine output
What do I do? • Call for medical help or take the person to a health facility for evaluation and treatment • Stay with the person until help arrives • Remove the person from hot area and give them liquids to drink
• Remove unnecessary clothing, including shoes and socks • Cool the person with water, cold compresses, an ice bath, or fans • Encourage frequent sips of cool water
POTENTIALLY FATAL HEAT STROKE • Confusion, altered mental state, slurred speech, loss of consciousness • Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating • Seizures • Very high body temperatures • Fatal if treatment delayed
What do I do? • Place cold, wet cloths or ice • Call for emergency care on head, neck, armpits, and immediately groin • Move the person to a cool • Stay with the person until area and remove outer emergency medical clothing services arrive • Cool the person with water, cold compresses, an ice bath, or fans • Circulate air around the person to speed cooling Volupta doluptam, idel invellature, picipsa eptatiam.
Lastly, please remember that: • People with heat illness should stop working, get cool, and drink fluids • Altered mental state can be a sign of heat stroke and requires immediate attention • When treating severe heat illness, cooling is the first priority
RUGBY BOYS KITTED BY ER24 Warriors Rugby Academy was launched in July 2016 by a group of dedicated parents who were looking to improve the skills and more importantly to increase the safety of their boys whilst playing the game of rugby. Due to a massive demand Warriors will be expanding from the 01 October 2017 which will see the launch of FOUR Junior age groups: U7, U8, U9 and U10. In May 2017, the Warriors formed its founding committee. Each member plays an integral role in growing the Warriors brand and through a
The boys of the Warrior Rugby Academy in their rugby kits Volupta doluptam, idel sponsored by ER24. invellature, picipsa eptatiam.
combined “Team Effort” are ensuring that the Warriors Rugby Academy will assist THOUSANDS of boys in becoming better skilled and more importantly teaching these boys to participate safely in the greatest sport on earth. The Academy coaching program focuses heavily on a SAFETY FIRST mantra by ensuring that our players are taught the correct techniques, especially in the contact areas, at the grass root level. We believe that improving the safety of the sport and ensuring that the game is
played in a positive spirit will ultimately lead to a dramatic increase in popularity. Hard work, discipline and dedication is a continuous theme that is instilled in all who attend our Academy. Instilling these qualities into our young Warriors will ensure that our players will not only improve and develop into stronger AND SAFER rugby players but will grow into positive, confident young adults. Warriors Rugby Academy
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MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD IS SAFE AT HOME The most effective way to ensure your child’s safety at home is to take a baby’s point of view to look for anything that could pose a danger. And as your child starts to walk and climb you will have to re-evaluate your home. Here is a checklist:
• Cover sharp furniture edges with padding or foam. • Cover all plugs with safety covers. • Hide electrical cords behind furniture or use cord-hiding devices. • Use doorstops and door holders. • Cut looped window blinds. • If you have a fireplace install a grill. Never leave your child there unattended. • Keep electronic equipment out of reach or locked away. • Secure any and all furniture that can topple over.
KITCHEN • Install safety locks on all cabinets and doors and put household items, including cleaning products, cutlery and appliances outside children’s reach. • Do not leave hot pots or pans unattended on the stove. • Put a latch on the oven, microwave and fridge door and install covers on stove dials. • Put a lid on the dustbin. • If you have a dishwasher or washing machine, keep it closed. • Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and out of reach of children.
BATHROOM • Install a toilet lid lock. • Put sharp objects and electrical appliances in a locked cabinet or high up in a linen closet. • Store medications and vitamins out of reach of children. • Place a non-slip mat inside and outside the bath and shower. Never leave your child in a bath or shower unattended.
GARDEN • Keep all pools covered with the correct covers at all times. • Store and lock away all tools like power and gardening tools, as well as fertilisers and pesticides. • Maintain play equipment. Look for signs of wear or rust. • Remove toxic plants from your home or garden.
GENERAL • Take a first-aid course. Parents, caregivers and domestic workers should be proficient in CPR and basic first aid. • Keep a comprehensive first-aid kit at home. • Pin a detailed list of emergency numbers on the fridge and keep it next to the phone. Save ER24’s emergency number, 084 124, on your phone. Make sure it is visible in your home, so it can be quickly accessed and remembered. JOB0036EKWD
AROUND THE HOUSE
Edith Mhlongo, a medic from ER24 Rustenburg, and a few of her colleagues celebrating the launch of her book “Extreme Desire Of A Medic”.
ER24 JHB West are the proud recipients of the bronze award in Corporate and Listed companies at the ROCCI Awards.
EMERGENCY CARE SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA (ECSSA) RESEARCH AWARDS 2017 WINNERS: ER24 would like to congratulate the following winners of the ECSSA/ER24 Research Awards 2017. The winners are Kevin Govender (Doctoral), Raina Gihwala (Masters) and Christopher Stein (Non-qualification), with Eddie Volupta doluptam, idel Callachan (Doctoral) and Pierre Smit (Masters) as runners-up. Details on the ECSSA/ER24 Research Awards invellature, picipsa eptatiam. 2018 nomination process will be available on http://www.ecssa.org.za/ from January 2018. ISSUE 2 – DECEMBER 2017 | PRIORITY ONE |
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