0:00:02 > 0:00:06From the Highlands of Scotland to the coast of Cornwall,
0:00:06 > 0:00:09the Great British countryside is spectacular.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15But we work and play in it at our peril.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17SIREN WAILS
0:00:17 > 0:00:19And when things go wrong,
0:00:19 > 0:00:22the emergency services race to the rescue...
0:00:22 > 0:00:25This chap is having a heart attack and we need to get him in quickly.
0:00:25 > 0:00:26SIREN WAILS
0:00:26 > 0:00:30You're under arrest for failing to stop for police...
0:00:30 > 0:00:32Going hundreds of miles against the clock...
0:00:33 > 0:00:35..battling the elements
0:00:35 > 0:00:37and braving the weather...
0:00:38 > 0:00:39'Lower the winch.'
0:00:40 > 0:00:43From fields and forests
0:00:43 > 0:00:45to cliffs and country roads,
0:00:45 > 0:00:48we'll be right at the heart of the action...
0:00:49 > 0:00:51..with police fighting crime...
0:00:51 > 0:00:54I've got suspicions that there might be cannabis being used.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57..paramedics saving lives...
0:00:57 > 0:00:59BABY CRIES
0:00:59 > 0:01:01..and wardens safeguarding our lakes...
0:01:01 > 0:01:03Come out of the way!
0:01:04 > 0:01:08We're there as the emergency services pull together
0:01:08 > 0:01:11to pick up, patch up and protect the public.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15This is Countryside 999.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35Coming up...
0:01:35 > 0:01:38In Herefordshire, the force's very own Cagney and Lacey
0:01:38 > 0:01:41speed to a shocking accident.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44Think he's an extremely, extremely lucky man.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49In Scotland, the Royal Navy Search and Rescue team
0:01:49 > 0:01:52race to a casualty on Britain's tallest peak.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56Can you walk on it?
0:01:58 > 0:01:59And, on the Isle of Man,
0:01:59 > 0:02:02a panic attack calls for calm control from the paramedics.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06You just concentrate on your breathing for us, David, all right.
0:02:06 > 0:02:07Just slow it down.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18From the highest peak in Scotland...
0:02:21 > 0:02:24..to the rolling countryside and winding lanes of England,
0:02:24 > 0:02:28nowhere is inaccessible for our rural Emergency Services.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35In Herefordshire, the landscape rolls out over 840 square miles
0:02:35 > 0:02:40and contains a population of around 180,000 people.
0:02:44 > 0:02:49But with only one police officer for every 850 of the county's inhabitants...
0:02:51 > 0:02:54..keeping crime levels down is still a huge challenge
0:02:54 > 0:02:56for the men and women of the West Mercia Police.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06PC Sarah Smith has been in the force for 15 years,
0:03:06 > 0:03:09dealing from everything from robbery to roadkill.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11It just looks like it was killed outright
0:03:11 > 0:03:13so at least it hasn't suffered, poor little beggar.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15I'm a country girl at heart.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19I've got horses, dogs, chickens, anything rural.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21'I lead The Good Life.'
0:03:21 > 0:03:23It's your left handbrake, brake side, yeah,
0:03:23 > 0:03:26so make sure you get that done, that's your job for tomorrow.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28- No problem. All right, then. - Well, have a lovely time.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30All right, bye-bye.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33I like the way that country people
0:03:33 > 0:03:35deal with the police.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37They love the police and...
0:03:37 > 0:03:39they just have a bit more respect for us
0:03:39 > 0:03:42than perhaps some of the inner-city people.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45Sarah's teaming up with local girl PC Sam Davis.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51It didn't even occur to me to move to the city to be a police officer.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53I just wanted to police where I grew up
0:03:53 > 0:03:56and police in areas that I knew best, really.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58That's a taser, that's for naughty boys.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00Not boys, naughty men.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02Not you, you're not naughty, are you?
0:04:02 > 0:04:03No!
0:04:05 > 0:04:09There's an average of three home burglaries a week across Herefordshire.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12It's a cause for concern in the force,
0:04:12 > 0:04:14who keep a database of known offenders...
0:04:15 > 0:04:18Morning, all.
0:04:18 > 0:04:19Right.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21I think we spoke about this gentleman yesterday,
0:04:21 > 0:04:23prolific burglar,
0:04:23 > 0:04:27and will steal during the daytime, anything he can lay his hands on.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29Just be aware of them.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32In an ideal world, there wouldn't be crime in the countryside
0:04:32 > 0:04:35because it's such a beautiful place, but it does happen.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37We get a lot of burglaries.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40People tend to let their guard down a little bit.
0:04:40 > 0:04:41Thanks, all, then. Have a good day.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43Be safe out there
0:04:43 > 0:04:44and we'll speak later.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48Today, PCs Sam and Sarah are taking to the streets in an unmarked car.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53It doesn't take long for a call to come in.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56'Personal attack alarm at the address. It's urgent.'
0:04:56 > 0:04:58OK.
0:04:58 > 0:04:59SIREN WAILS
0:05:05 > 0:05:08Personal attack alarms are panic buttons,
0:05:08 > 0:05:11set off silently by the owners if an intruder breaks in.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13This could be the real thing.
0:05:19 > 0:05:24We do on the odd occasion get calls from security companies
0:05:24 > 0:05:27saying that a personal attack alarm's gone off at a large property.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29We have to make this a grade one,
0:05:29 > 0:05:31which is an emergency blue light response,
0:05:31 > 0:05:33cos you never know what's going on.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38The alarm's been triggered in a house
0:05:38 > 0:05:40southwest of Sam and Sarah's location.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50They always do this, so we've got minimum gap to get through.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54Left, left, left, left, left.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58So we're going down... This is rural now.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03We're pretty well right on the Welsh border.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05If we were in Hereford city,
0:06:05 > 0:06:07as quite often we are on busy times,
0:06:07 > 0:06:10the response time to this could be...considerable.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12But as we're, sort of, not too far away...
0:06:18 > 0:06:19In urban areas,
0:06:19 > 0:06:23blue-light runs can be hampered by sheer levels of traffic.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26The countryside presents a host of other issues...
0:06:26 > 0:06:29Rural areas, there's a lot of mud on the road,
0:06:29 > 0:06:31the roads are really greasy,
0:06:31 > 0:06:34tractors, there's all sorts of hazards out here,
0:06:34 > 0:06:36so fortunately Sam's a good driver.
0:06:42 > 0:06:43Mind the horse!
0:06:43 > 0:06:45Lights off for the horse.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49When we're doing a blue-light run in the country,
0:06:49 > 0:06:51as well as it being quite long usually,
0:06:51 > 0:06:54we have to consider other hazards on the route.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57If, for example, we see a horse ride, we switch everything off
0:06:57 > 0:07:00simply because we know the sirens and lights is likely to spook the horse.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08- It's saying go...straight... - Straight through?
0:07:08 > 0:07:09Straight through.
0:07:11 > 0:07:12We'll do a silent approach now,
0:07:12 > 0:07:15just in case there is something going on or somebody there.
0:07:25 > 0:07:26Electric gates.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28I'll go and press the buzzer.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34When we arrived, we pressed the buzzer.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36They said they would open the gates.
0:07:38 > 0:07:39Hello?
0:07:39 > 0:07:41Hello, it's the police. We've had a....
0:07:41 > 0:07:42- Yeah, come up.- OK.
0:07:44 > 0:07:45It didn't happen.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48It's incredibly frustrating because we just want to get in there
0:07:48 > 0:07:50and make sure everybody's OK.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54They're taking their time opening this gate...
0:07:54 > 0:07:56PC Beredale Smith from PC Smith,
0:07:56 > 0:07:59do you happen to know the code for these electric gates, please?
0:07:59 > 0:08:00'Don't know the code.'
0:08:05 > 0:08:08And I immediately start thinking, "Who's just answered me?" when I pressed that buzzer.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10Is it the burglar?
0:08:10 > 0:08:12Is it the bad guy or is it the occupant?
0:08:14 > 0:08:16Yeah, from 1-3, we've pressed the intercom,
0:08:16 > 0:08:18he said, "Hello, come in," but nobody's opening the gates.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21We're just wondering if he's able to open the gates.
0:08:21 > 0:08:22'Is it not opening?'
0:08:22 > 0:08:25No, I'm afraid not. Are you able to open it, please?
0:08:25 > 0:08:27- 'There you go.'- Thank you.
0:08:27 > 0:08:28'Doing it now.'
0:08:28 > 0:08:30I had a female voice that said...
0:08:30 > 0:08:33I identified myself as police and she said "Yep, great, I'll let you in."
0:08:33 > 0:08:35It sounded OK
0:08:35 > 0:08:38and they didn't sound under duress, but still
0:08:38 > 0:08:41you do just wonder why the gates weren't opening.
0:08:41 > 0:08:42What's happening?
0:08:44 > 0:08:45Hello?
0:08:47 > 0:08:49Definitely nothing's happening.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52With no answer, and the gates not opening,
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Sarah's thinking of an alternative way in.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59We're going to have to try and climb the wall or something...
0:09:02 > 0:09:05After 20 or 30 seconds, nothing happened with the gates.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08So I pressed the buzzer again, and said "Is everything OK?"
0:09:08 > 0:09:10They're not happening at all.
0:09:10 > 0:09:11Someone's coming down.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14Backup begins to arrive.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16It's been two minutes since Sarah pressed the buzzer.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19She's saying... I've had two now saying they're opening it.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21KEYPAD BEEPS
0:09:22 > 0:09:24'Someone's coming down.'
0:09:24 > 0:09:25Oh, right, thanks very much.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32- We're having problems with all our electrics.- What's happening?
0:09:32 > 0:09:34Nothing, it's... I think it's a false alarm.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36All the electrics went and all the alarms went off.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38That's OK, as long as you're safe.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41If the gardener hadn't come down and opened the gate within a minute or two,
0:09:41 > 0:09:44we would certainly have been going in, you know,
0:09:44 > 0:09:46climbing over a wall or getting in there somehow,
0:09:46 > 0:09:49because sometimes, sadly, it is a genuine call.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52If it's a false alarm, boys, are you all right to just check it out?
0:09:54 > 0:09:57Faulty electrics set off the panic alarm.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59All's well this time,
0:09:59 > 0:10:02but even so, Sarah sends her male colleagues into the house
0:10:02 > 0:10:04to complete the investigation.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09We have been referred to as Cagney and Lacey before now,
0:10:09 > 0:10:12but, yeah, we've got a lot in common, as well,
0:10:12 > 0:10:15so it makes it a nice atmosphere in the car.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17We don't mind what we're called.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19Cos we work harder than the boys.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24With the boys doing the clearing up,
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Sarah and Sam can get on with more urgent police work.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31That's the best result because everybody's safe.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33Everybody's safe and we've arrived in one piece.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35If there were burglars running over those fields now,
0:10:35 > 0:10:38I'm sure Sam would catch up with them(!)
0:10:38 > 0:10:39THEY LAUGH
0:10:39 > 0:10:41Yes. I'm sure I would!
0:10:44 > 0:10:47But for now, it's back on patrol,
0:10:47 > 0:10:48until another call comes in.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09450 miles to the north of Hereford
0:11:09 > 0:11:10rise the Highlands of Scotland.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15Over two million tourists come here each year
0:11:15 > 0:11:19to experience this awe-inspiring landscape,
0:11:19 > 0:11:21to walk its rugged hills
0:11:21 > 0:11:23and climb its craggy peaks.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31But it's a landscape that's as unforgiving as it is beautiful.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40There are over 350 mountaineering incidents here every year.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47That's why the HMS Gannet Search and Rescue Squadron,
0:11:47 > 0:11:49based at Prestwick...
0:11:50 > 0:11:52..is one of the busiest in Britain.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02When the weather is too extreme for other emergency services,
0:12:02 > 0:12:04the Royal Navy are the last resort.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10They'll fly in conditions that can challenge the most hardened pilot,
0:12:10 > 0:12:14even veterans like Search and Rescue commander Stuart Cassidy...
0:12:15 > 0:12:18..and his codename is Butch.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21After conducting five tours of Iraq and two tours of Afghanistan,
0:12:21 > 0:12:23I find coming up to Scotland,
0:12:23 > 0:12:24without a shadow of a doubt,
0:12:24 > 0:12:26the most challenging flying.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30Butch Cassidy has been with Gannet Search and Rescue for three years.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34We'll attempt to go anywhere at any stage,
0:12:34 > 0:12:37do our utmost to get there,
0:12:37 > 0:12:39get the job done,
0:12:39 > 0:12:40but return safely.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45To fly in extreme weather takes courage.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49But to rescue and return safely
0:12:49 > 0:12:51takes an enormous amount of training.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55For the training sortie today,
0:12:55 > 0:12:57we're going to conduct a flight from Prestwick,
0:12:57 > 0:12:59up Loch Lomond,
0:12:59 > 0:13:02to start indicating the types of things that we're looking for
0:13:02 > 0:13:06when we start to move into mountainous flying techniques.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10And today, the team have a new member.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14Until now, Richard Swales has done his Search and Rescue flying
0:13:14 > 0:13:16from RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20Flying in the mountains is fairly new to me.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23The weather up here presents its own challenges,
0:13:23 > 0:13:26given the severity of bad weather at high ground.
0:13:27 > 0:13:28It's important to keep training
0:13:28 > 0:13:32because it's a very perishable skill.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35On average, the team do two hours' training a day,
0:13:35 > 0:13:39training that means that they can react to any emergency instinctively.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43- You all right to take off, please? - I will do.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52From their Prestwick base,
0:13:52 > 0:13:54the team are heading 84 miles north
0:13:54 > 0:13:55to Glencoe.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02So what we're doing is just simulating as if there's a casualty
0:14:02 > 0:14:05at the top of all these peaks that you can see around,
0:14:05 > 0:14:07picking an area that we think is suitable from height
0:14:07 > 0:14:10and then working our way through all the various procedures.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14Today the team are practising the tricky task
0:14:14 > 0:14:16of landing in the mountains.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33In the mountains, local wind currents and patterns
0:14:33 > 0:14:35can quite quickly change.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38Everything we do in the helicopter is relating to the wind
0:14:38 > 0:14:40and keeping it safe.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42It's very much dependent on the direction of the wind.
0:14:42 > 0:14:47Wind in the mountains can blow even a 9.5-tonne Sea King helicopter off course.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50To land safely close to a casualty,
0:14:50 > 0:14:52it's crucial to know where it's coming from.
0:15:00 > 0:15:01Before landing,
0:15:01 > 0:15:04they check the wind direction by sending out a smoke flare.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07As observer, it's Richard's job to fire the gun,
0:15:07 > 0:15:09following a strict procedure.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23Coming round to the right.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38The chopper can now come to land safely into the wind.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59It's a textbook landing.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01But not long after, a call comes in.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04All we've got at the moment, mate,
0:16:04 > 0:16:07is that we've got a task in up at Ben Nevis.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09So we're just going to head up there
0:16:09 > 0:16:11and see what information we get from Kinloss.
0:16:11 > 0:16:16So, yeah, I'm sure we'll get something through in the next couple of minutes.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19From the floor of Glencoe, it's ten miles north
0:16:19 > 0:16:21and 4,000 feet up to the summit of Ben Nevis.
0:16:24 > 0:16:25It's the highest peak in Britain.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32Every year there are around 60 serious incidents on the mountain.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37Travelling at 143mph,
0:16:37 > 0:16:39the Sea King will get there in around ten minutes.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43OK, an update has come through from Kinloss.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46We've got a 20-year-old male on the top of the Ben Nevis near the summit.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49We'll see how well prepared he is
0:16:49 > 0:16:51and what we need to do when we get there.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53It would seem, from the initial information,
0:16:53 > 0:16:56that it's something that we should be able to land on.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03The team know what the casualty is wearing.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05Now they have to find him.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07Kinloss Rescue, Kinloss Rescue,
0:17:07 > 0:17:09Rescue 177 is on the scene.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12Only 12 minutes after receiving the call,
0:17:12 > 0:17:14they see the summit.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Compared to the training exercise they've just completed,
0:17:17 > 0:17:20landing on top of the tallest mountain in Britain
0:17:20 > 0:17:22will be a little more tricky.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36From Highland extremes to the hills and fields of Herefordshire.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42There are more orchards in this county than any other.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46This vast green landscape produces half the apples
0:17:46 > 0:17:49used to make all the cider in Britain...
0:17:49 > 0:17:51and it's fruit harvesting time.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57Police Officers Sarah Smith and Sam Davis are responding to a call.
0:17:59 > 0:18:00In neighbouring Worcestershire,
0:18:00 > 0:18:03a man is reported to have been struck by a telephone wire.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16I presume ambulance are already there or en route, are they?
0:18:19 > 0:18:22The duo are speeding to the accident in Tenbury Wells,
0:18:22 > 0:18:2422 miles north of their base.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30Sarah and Sam have attended all kinds of accidents,
0:18:30 > 0:18:33but a man struck by a telephone wire
0:18:33 > 0:18:34doesn't quite ring true...
0:18:36 > 0:18:38Bit of a strange one.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40There's a man up a 16-foot ladder,
0:18:40 > 0:18:42who's been struck by a telephone wire.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45The address was a villa so it would suggest it's a residential house,
0:18:45 > 0:18:47but we've been told he's conscious and breathing, which is good.
0:18:53 > 0:18:54Fire brigade.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56Yes, OK, everybody's here.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58- Er...- Brilliant.
0:18:58 > 0:18:59Oscar Romeo 1-3, TA.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08Do you want a hand with the kit?
0:19:08 > 0:19:12'When we arrived, there were chickens everywhere.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15'We walked through a number of outbuildings
0:19:15 > 0:19:18'and then we went round to a small barn
0:19:18 > 0:19:20'and behind the barn was...
0:19:20 > 0:19:22'I could see the chap lay on the floor.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26'And there was a ladder just down from where the chap was lay
0:19:26 > 0:19:28'and it was in some long grass.'
0:19:28 > 0:19:30Is that going all the way round?
0:19:30 > 0:19:32- Yes, it's very loose.- Is it?
0:19:32 > 0:19:34Yeah, I've made sure it's loose.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38This is far more serious than was first thought.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41Whilst picking plums on his smallholding,
0:19:41 > 0:19:43the casualty, 58-year-old Ian Vaughan,
0:19:43 > 0:19:47has been struck by a massive 11,000 volt electric shock.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51He's suffered severe burns and was knocked unconscious.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54But now, thankfully, he's come round.
0:19:55 > 0:19:56Is that comfy here?
0:19:56 > 0:19:57Yes, it is.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03Community First Responder, Martin Bennett,
0:20:03 > 0:20:05was on scene minutes after the accident.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09He was picking plums,
0:20:09 > 0:20:12was carrying a long ladder back up the field,
0:20:12 > 0:20:15and touched one of these overhead cables
0:20:15 > 0:20:18which has burnt his hands and his feet.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20Real sort of genuine accident, I think.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22He just didn't realise that the cables were there.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28Martin and the ambulance paramedics are dealing with Ian's wounds.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31He'd touched an 11,000-volt cable,
0:20:31 > 0:20:34he had entry wounds to both hands
0:20:34 > 0:20:38and then full-thickness burns, exit wounds to his feet.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43Ian's hands and feet are burnt through to his nerves
0:20:43 > 0:20:45and major blood vessels.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47The cling film keeps in moisture
0:20:47 > 0:20:50and stops air from irritating the deep open wounds.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55But I haven't drawn on his foot where his pedal pulse is...
0:20:55 > 0:20:58In a situation like this, it's all hands on deck.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02While Sam helps the paramedics,
0:21:02 > 0:21:04Sarah speaks to Ian's wife, Verity.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08Did you actually see it when it happened or...?
0:21:08 > 0:21:09No.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12Verity found her husband after hearing him scream.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17He was face down...
0:21:17 > 0:21:18unconscious, red.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22Well, I thought he was dead.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26I didn't know what had happened, I thought he'd fallen off the ladder.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28Yeah, I get you, yeah.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31I don't know if they've told you. They've just told me the...
0:21:31 > 0:21:34the Air Ambulance is coming soon.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37With such severe electrocution,
0:21:37 > 0:21:39it's vital to get Ian to hospital fast
0:21:39 > 0:21:42to check for internal burns.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44The Air Ambulance, in my opinion,
0:21:44 > 0:21:46is the most vital emergency service we've got.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49In a rural area, it could have taken quite literally hours
0:21:49 > 0:21:52to get that man up to Selly Oak hospital.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01How we doing, guys? What can we do for you? How can we help?
0:22:01 > 0:22:05Initially found not totally fully responsive.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09Then a few minutes later, he's come round.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11On our arrival GCS of 15, lying in this position.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15Entry wounds to lower part of his hands and his wrists.
0:22:15 > 0:22:16Yeah, super.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19Going to pull these leads off you, Ian, OK.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21Going to get some straps on you
0:22:21 > 0:22:23and carry you to the Air Ambulance.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26Didn't want to have your jumper cut off you said, didn't you.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29If you just let us know en route we can draw up some more,
0:22:29 > 0:22:30more morphine for the pain.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35The major trauma centre is 29 miles away in Birmingham.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38They need to get Ian there fast.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52Over 200 miles to the north of Hereford
0:22:52 > 0:22:54is the Isle of Man,
0:22:54 > 0:22:55the Jewel of the Irish Sea.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00Nearly 85,000 people live here,
0:23:00 > 0:23:03but around 300,000 holidaymakers
0:23:03 > 0:23:06are attracted to its stunning coastal landscape every year.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12And when there's a medical emergency,
0:23:12 > 0:23:15they're served by the 42 members of the Island's Ambulance Service.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19The Port Erin base is one of three on the island.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25Jason Banks has been commuting to work here from the mainland
0:23:25 > 0:23:27for over nine months,
0:23:27 > 0:23:29working six shifts on and eight days off.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34I love it out here on the island.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36I will live here eventually, but, at the minute,
0:23:36 > 0:23:39I've got a really good work/life balance,
0:23:39 > 0:23:42doing... doing me shifts here, enjoying what I do here
0:23:42 > 0:23:46and then going home, back and spending time with my family.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50Today he's working with new boy Danny Grace.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52This is the first day we've worked together
0:23:52 > 0:23:56and it's my first day on my roster in Port Erin Ambulance Station, as well.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58Pop that on the bed, Danny.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04Danny moved here from the West of Ireland just under a year ago.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07Followed my wife over to the Isle of Man.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11She's an Irish woman, as well, but she's been living over here for quite a long time.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14Check out this.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17Carrot, apple, beetroot, celery and ginger.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22Smell that.
0:24:22 > 0:24:23It's good for you.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25I'm on my health kick on the moment.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27Only all good stuff.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32Breakfast over, the lads hit the road...
0:24:33 > 0:24:36..and it's never long before a call comes in.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41The casualty is in a day care centre Danny knows very well.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51The first day on the job, it was a little bit ironic, really,
0:24:51 > 0:24:55that the first call I went to was my wife phoning for an ambulance.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58She works in a mental health facility in the community.
0:24:59 > 0:25:00SIREN WAILS
0:25:14 > 0:25:17The team blue-light from their current location in Douglas
0:25:17 > 0:25:20to the nearby day care centre.
0:25:20 > 0:25:21It takes only three minutes.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29Alpha 128, that's us on scene.
0:25:37 > 0:25:4035-year-old David regularly uses the day care centre.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44VOICES MURMUR IN BACKGROUND
0:25:47 > 0:25:50He's been in a highly anxious state for an hour.
0:25:53 > 0:25:54Have you got any pain anywhere?
0:25:54 > 0:25:56No, not pain.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58No pain at all, OK.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01OK, as I say I'm Jason, one of the paramedics, and this is Danny.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04- What I want you to do is just keep that breathing nice and easy for me. - Yeah.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08Just keep there.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10Take a big breath in and out.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14And again.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16- VOICES OVER RADIO - And again.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20Could you just slow that breathing down for me just a touch.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23Just keep nice and calm, open your eyes nice and wide for me.
0:26:23 > 0:26:24David's sweating profusely
0:26:24 > 0:26:27and his speech has become slurred.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29Big smile, like this.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33- Just sit you up, there. - Yep, please.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35Now...
0:26:35 > 0:26:37swing around so your feet are down,
0:26:37 > 0:26:39so you're sitting up properly, David.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41The patient had bouts of shortness of breath
0:26:41 > 0:26:43and also chest pains.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45Slow that breathing down a sec.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47- WEAKLY:- I'm trying.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49Have you been taking your meds as normal?
0:26:49 > 0:26:51Do you take them as you normally would?
0:26:51 > 0:26:54'An anxiety attack's probably the best way to describe it.'
0:26:54 > 0:26:57It's a real common problem and...
0:26:57 > 0:27:00the only thing for us to do was to reassure the patient.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05Around 5% of the population suffer with anxiety problems.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10It's one of the biggest mental health issues in the UK.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15- HE PANTS HEAVILY - David, where do you live?
0:27:19 > 0:27:22You know, once you take a person's mind off things, as well,
0:27:22 > 0:27:24they can be quite panicky.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26But if you start asking them a couple of questions
0:27:26 > 0:27:29then they stop and they start answering your questions.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31It just takes their mind off things and it can calm everything down.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34David, how long have you lived there?
0:27:35 > 0:27:36Seven months.
0:27:39 > 0:27:40- David.- Yeah.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43- Nothing bad's going to happen to you.- I know.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45I'm looking after you, you're in good hands...
0:27:46 > 0:27:50Anxiety attacks like this can lower blood pressure
0:27:50 > 0:27:52and cause dizziness and fainting.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54Jason wants to measure David's heart rate.
0:27:55 > 0:27:59Yeah, let's do an ECG here before we move him.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02Nice and steady, and let's have a look at what your heart's doing.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17I would never like to write a guarantee for anybody,
0:28:17 > 0:28:20but everything's looking pretty fine.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23How are you feeling?
0:28:23 > 0:28:24- Drained.- Drained.
0:28:24 > 0:28:25MACHINES BEEP
0:28:27 > 0:28:31When you've been anxious before, and upset and worried,
0:28:31 > 0:28:32do you feel like this?
0:28:33 > 0:28:35No.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37- No, never like this? - No, never.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40Would you feel happier being checked out at hospital?
0:28:40 > 0:28:42Personally, yeah.
0:28:42 > 0:28:44Right, let's do that then.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47Once we had calmed him down, recorded all his vital signs,
0:28:47 > 0:28:50reassured him that his vital signs were all within normal parameters,
0:28:50 > 0:28:53we were then able to, you know, walk him down to the ambulance.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56- David?- Yeah.
0:28:56 > 0:28:57Brave as a tiger.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59One, two, three, come on.
0:28:59 > 0:29:00Argh! Get up there!
0:29:01 > 0:29:03OK, stay up there, straight.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06Lock onto your knees, David, straighten your legs.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08(Good lad.)
0:29:08 > 0:29:10Oh, how ridiculous!
0:29:10 > 0:29:13- OK, it's all right.- I'm sorry.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15You're OK, David, you're fine, you're fine.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20It's taken over 20 minutes to calm David down
0:29:20 > 0:29:23from a state of extreme anxiety,
0:29:23 > 0:29:26but he's still very weak.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28Oh, my gosh, it's like trying to walk again.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31Come on, you're fine.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34All because you're getting a bit panicked and breathing too fast.
0:29:37 > 0:29:41I was really worried there on that sofa, lying on the sofa.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44Oh, gosh, every time I tried to get up...
0:29:45 > 0:29:47..my heart, kind of, carried on racing.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53An hour after Jason and Danny arrived at the scene,
0:29:53 > 0:29:56David is delivered to Noble's Hospital in Douglas.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04- OK, David, good man. - Nice and steady.
0:30:04 > 0:30:06- There we go. - INDISTINCT VOICES
0:30:10 > 0:30:12What I can best describe it, he's had a panic attack,
0:30:12 > 0:30:14dripping in sweat.
0:30:14 > 0:30:16- All right, David?- (Yeah.)
0:30:16 > 0:30:17You're looking a lot better now.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20Your colour is much better now and your breathing has slowed down.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23- If it happens again, just slow your breathing down.- Thank you.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25All right, David, talk to you again.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28I've never failed, to date,
0:30:28 > 0:30:30to not be able to calm a patient down.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33As you can see by that patient, by the time he got to hospital,
0:30:33 > 0:30:36the patient was in a much more comfortable position,
0:30:36 > 0:30:39not just physically, but psychologically, as well.
0:30:39 > 0:30:4290% of the job is being a nice person,
0:30:42 > 0:30:44and being reassuring and calming,
0:30:44 > 0:30:47and probably 10% clinical and medical.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49- David?- Yeah.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52- I'm going to shoot off now, all right?- OK, yeah, thanks.
0:30:52 > 0:30:54- You look after yourself. - Yeah, Jason.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56Jason for the complaint letter.
0:31:07 > 0:31:11In Scotland, a training mission for the HMS Gannet helicopter squadron
0:31:11 > 0:31:13has turned into a full-blown rescue
0:31:13 > 0:31:16that has taken them up 4,500 feet.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19This is a bit more challenging.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22They're going to the highest point of the UK,
0:31:22 > 0:31:24the summit of Ben Nevis,
0:31:24 > 0:31:25from where a man has called 999.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43Attempting to land on the boulder-strewn peak
0:31:43 > 0:31:46in winds of 50 knots, or 56mph,
0:31:46 > 0:31:48the training kicks in.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51The team are led by commander Stuart "Butch" Cassidy.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55Trying to position the aircraft to make sure that you keep it safe
0:31:55 > 0:31:58and get as many wheels on as possible,
0:31:58 > 0:32:00so that you can get people in and out of the aircraft safely,
0:32:00 > 0:32:02was quite a challenge.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40The chopper hasn't landed safely,
0:32:40 > 0:32:44but paramedic Sean Knight needs to see the patient as quickly as possible.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50The pilots weren't necessarily completely happy at the time,
0:32:50 > 0:32:53but we elected that I was going to leave the aircraft
0:32:53 > 0:32:54and see to the patient.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04The casualty has been sheltering on the peak.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06Now he's on his feet.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18'Because he was up and walking,
0:33:18 > 0:33:21'we decided to get him into the aircraft as quickly as possible,
0:33:21 > 0:33:23'again for the aircraft's safety.'
0:33:23 > 0:33:24TENSE MUSIC
0:33:27 > 0:33:28OK.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41All good inside, all good inside, standing by.
0:33:41 > 0:33:4280, 80.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46'Once we lifted from that position,'
0:33:46 > 0:33:49then I did a quick examination on him.
0:33:49 > 0:33:51The casualty is 22-year-old Charles Quail.
0:33:53 > 0:33:54Where's the pain, then?
0:33:54 > 0:33:56It's around there.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58All right, no worries.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00Can you lift your leg up for me?
0:34:00 > 0:34:01All the way up.
0:34:01 > 0:34:02Any pain?
0:34:02 > 0:34:03A bit.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05Drop it down.
0:34:05 > 0:34:06Let it go loose.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10- Any pain when I do that?- Er, yeah.
0:34:10 > 0:34:12OK.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14Push against my hand. This one.
0:34:15 > 0:34:16As in lift your leg up.
0:34:17 > 0:34:21It's clear Charles' injury isn't life-threatening.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24He's strained his groin,
0:34:24 > 0:34:27he doesn't need to go to hospital, waste their time on that.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30- Happy.- Just, a bit of ibuprofen and paracetamol and he'll be all good.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33Although he doesn't seem to be too much of a casualty...
0:34:33 > 0:34:37If you put him in a road, a park, down in normal city,
0:34:37 > 0:34:39then he's not a casualty at all.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42But when you put him on top of the highest mountain in the UK,
0:34:42 > 0:34:45and he's got, you know, a good couple of hours' descent to do,
0:34:45 > 0:34:48then a niggling groin is actually something quite significant.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52With no need for hospital,
0:34:52 > 0:34:55the team drop Charles at the Lochaber Mountain Rescue base
0:34:55 > 0:34:57at the foot of Ben Nevis.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01The only thing I'd recommend is -
0:35:01 > 0:35:03I'm sure they've probably got some here -
0:35:03 > 0:35:04as long as you're not allergic to it,
0:35:04 > 0:35:07is a bit of ibuprofen, bit of paracetamol and rest, to be honest.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10Well, it was all clear, and we were walking up
0:35:10 > 0:35:12and it was about...maybe...
0:35:12 > 0:35:1430 minutes off the top...
0:35:16 > 0:35:19And then as I was stepping up on my left leg,
0:35:19 > 0:35:21the wind blew very strongly,
0:35:21 > 0:35:24so I just twisted around, while I was standing on my left leg
0:35:24 > 0:35:27and I felt a pain.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29And then as I was going up further,
0:35:29 > 0:35:32it was really hard to walk and I had to keep stopping.
0:35:32 > 0:35:34And, I didn't think I'd be able to get back down on it.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37It's a bit embarrassing, um,
0:35:37 > 0:35:39to call them just for a sprained groin.
0:35:41 > 0:35:43That's all good, 90 there.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46But it hasn't been a wasted trip for the crew.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50At the end of the day, it's another rescue for us.
0:35:50 > 0:35:54We have assisted someone that needs, needed help.
0:35:54 > 0:35:55We don't judge people -
0:35:55 > 0:35:57if they need help then they need help
0:35:57 > 0:36:00and we will provide as best we can the service that we do.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10Over 400 miles south of Glencoe,
0:36:10 > 0:36:12a very different story is unfolding.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17In Worcestershire, 58-year-old Ian Vaughan
0:36:17 > 0:36:19is still being treated by the emergency services.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25An hour earlier, he was picking plums on his smallholding.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29Going to pull these leads off you, Ian, OK.
0:36:29 > 0:36:33Going to get some straps on you and carry you to the Air Ambulance.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39Carrying his 26-foot metal ladder back to his shed,
0:36:39 > 0:36:41Ian struck an overhead cable
0:36:41 > 0:36:43and received a massive 11,000 volt shock.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50Think he's an extremely, extremely lucky man.
0:36:52 > 0:36:56And if he'd stayed connected to it for a few seconds, it would have killed him.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59He has major burns, and he's gone into tachycardia.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02His heart is beating far too fast.
0:37:03 > 0:37:07If you just let us know en route, we can draw up some more morphine for the pain.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09There's a risk of a major heart attack.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14Got a minor lac on the top of his head.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19But, amazingly, he's fighting back and refusing pain relief...
0:37:22 > 0:37:26..much to the surprise of Herefordshire police officer, Sarah Smith.
0:37:27 > 0:37:32He refused all form of painkiller, saying he'd rather have a tot of whisky instead,
0:37:32 > 0:37:35and even to the point when he was on the stretcher going into the ambulance,
0:37:35 > 0:37:38he was still laughing and joking with everybody which is good,
0:37:38 > 0:37:41cos you get the impression then that he's not badly injured.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44Certainly helped the children, as well.
0:37:44 > 0:37:48- Going on holiday on Sunday. - IAN:- You're to go, OK, with the children.
0:37:48 > 0:37:52They're all apparently due to go to Disneyland in a couple of days
0:37:52 > 0:37:55and he was giving strict instruction they were still to go.
0:37:55 > 0:37:56How are you feeling?
0:37:57 > 0:37:59Disorientated.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03Painful feet.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07So don't fret too much.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10Ian's being transferred 29 miles to the trauma centre
0:38:10 > 0:38:12at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17It'll take the chopper around ten minutes.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19He's looking very stable at the moment.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21It's difficult with electrical burns because,
0:38:21 > 0:38:24obviously the electricity's passed through the gentleman's body
0:38:24 > 0:38:28so we want to make sure all the bits and vital organs in between are doing all right.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30We'll keep a good eye on him and the idea with the aircraft
0:38:30 > 0:38:32is we take him to the most appropriate hospital
0:38:32 > 0:38:35so he can receive definitive care, rather than just the nearest one.
0:38:35 > 0:38:36Wish him well.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39- We'll look after him, I promise. - I love you.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42- I'll probably see you tomorrow, OK? - MACHINE BEEPS
0:38:42 > 0:38:44Tomorrow's Saturday.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47- Yeah, I don't need you to come. - I know, all right. Bye.
0:38:47 > 0:38:48Thank you ever so much.
0:38:55 > 0:38:59For now, Ian's family must trust in the care of the experts.
0:39:29 > 0:39:33Less than a month later, Ian is back home.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38My injuries were termed as
0:39:38 > 0:39:41full-thickness burns
0:39:41 > 0:39:46to the wrists where the electricity went in,
0:39:46 > 0:39:50and I think full-thickness meant it burnt right through the skin,
0:39:50 > 0:39:52so there was exposed tissue,
0:39:52 > 0:39:57and, um, full-thickness burns to my feet,
0:39:57 > 0:40:01where the electricity exited my body
0:40:01 > 0:40:06and it burnt and frazzled my toes.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08Really, that's the extent.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12My arm's going now involuntarily again, it's something that happens.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14It's a bit panicky,
0:40:14 > 0:40:17but I think that's how my whole body was.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19It was...
0:40:19 > 0:40:22it was just tremendous trembling
0:40:22 > 0:40:25and I can just think to myself...
0:40:26 > 0:40:28..it's an electrocution.
0:40:28 > 0:40:30And then...unconsciousness.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38I can remember coming to...
0:40:38 > 0:40:39Is that comfy here?
0:40:39 > 0:40:41Yes, it is.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43'And I can remember my wife screaming,'
0:40:43 > 0:40:46"Oh, my God, he's dead. Oh, my God, he's dead."
0:40:48 > 0:40:50It was amazing,
0:40:50 > 0:40:52I could see this constant body of people around me.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55So we had first responders,
0:40:55 > 0:40:59fire brigade, paramedics, police,
0:40:59 > 0:41:01and then the Air Ambulance crew.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06Incredibly, Ian was in hospital for just two days
0:41:06 > 0:41:08and after three weeks,
0:41:08 > 0:41:11he's keen to get on with the fruit harvest.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14I'm already a little bit late on the damsons.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16I've noticed now that they're really quite ripe on the tree.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20I'm not going to go too high.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23I'm going to stay, sort of, low down on the tree,
0:41:23 > 0:41:27and, I'm not really up for moving the ladder that far.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39You hear about people complaining about the NHS,
0:41:39 > 0:41:41but when the chips are down,
0:41:41 > 0:41:45everything is there to deal with any emergency
0:41:45 > 0:41:48and I couldn't have had better treatment.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50And it just goes to show that wherever you are,
0:41:50 > 0:41:54there IS somebody out there that can get to you and can help you.
0:41:58 > 0:42:00There are up to ten deaths
0:42:00 > 0:42:03from contact with overhead electricity lines every year.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06But with the help of our emergency services,
0:42:06 > 0:42:08Ian Vaughan has been lucky enough to tell his tale.
0:42:11 > 0:42:16As my consultant in the Queen Elizabeth said,
0:42:16 > 0:42:20"We don't get 11,000-volt victims in here.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22"They're always dead on site."
0:42:33 > 0:42:37It's been all go for the emergency services across the British Isles.
0:42:37 > 0:42:41On the Isle of Man, David was given the all-clear by the hospital
0:42:41 > 0:42:44and hasn't had any more panic attacks since.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50Injured walker Charles has not climbed any peaks
0:42:50 > 0:42:52since the incident on Ben Nevis.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55Instead, he's chosen to concentrate on his dental studies
0:42:55 > 0:42:56for the rest of the year.
0:42:59 > 0:43:02And in Worcestershire, Ian Vaughan carried on climbing his ladder
0:43:02 > 0:43:05to safely harvest three tonnes of plums, apples and pears.
0:43:11 > 0:43:13And who said it was quiet in the countryside?