Our volunteers give up their time to support our life-saving work. Each year, we like to give them a little something back. And our Volunteers’ Annual Conference is our chance to do just that.
The Coronavirus pandemic has halted the conference for the past two years, but on Saturday 9 April we welcomed some familiar faces alongside some new faces to St Swithun’s School, Winchester.
An update on the charity and our plans for the future kicked off the day. And as the sun began to creep through the auditorium, Paramedic Clinical Lead Michael Bradfield treated everyone to a detailed explanation of some of the complex medical interventions the crew perform; from open heart surgery to blood transfusions.
Michael was then followed by Sara Colyer, the mother of a former patient, Elliott, who touchingly told the audience about the day we flew to Elliott when he collapsed from his static exercise bike at home. Sara was even able to meet one of the paramedics who flew to Elliott that day.
Ever wondered what to do if you come across someone collapsed on the floor? HEMS Paramedic Nigel Harley and Specialist Paramedic Mark Durell put on an interactive simulation of a typical cardiac arrest incident they attend.
“If you’re not sweating, you’re not doing it right”, explained Nigel between chest compressions.
Please note: the subject on the floor is a training manikin
Thank you so much to everyone who came and made it one of the highlights of the HIOWAA calendar.
If you’re interested in keeping us flying and saving lives, there are so many different ways you can volunteer for us. And how many hours or minutes you give is up to you.
