0:00:02 > 0:00:05From the Highlands of Scotland to the coast of Cornwall,
0:00:05 > 0:00:09the great British countryside is spectacular.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14But we work and play in it at our peril.
0:00:15 > 0:00:16SIREN BLARES
0:00:16 > 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 here is having a heart attack and we need to get him in quickly.
0:00:26 > 0:00:30You're under arrest for failing to stop for police.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33Going hundreds of miles against the clock...
0:00:33 > 0:00:36battling the elements and braving the weather.
0:00:38 > 0:00:39Lower the winch.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43From fields and forests,
0:00:43 > 0:00:45to cliffs and country roads,
0:00:45 > 0:00:49we'll be right at the heart of the action...
0:00:49 > 0:00:51with police fighting crime...
0:00:51 > 0:00:54I've got suspicions that there might have been cannabis being used.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57..paramedics saving lives.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59BABY CRIES
0:00:59 > 0:01:02..and wardens safeguarding our lakes.
0:01:02 > 0:01:03Get out of the way!
0:01:04 > 0:01:07We're there as the emergency services pull together
0:01:07 > 0:01:11to pick-up, patch up and protect the public.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15This is Countryside 999.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37Coming up...
0:01:37 > 0:01:38In Cornwall,
0:01:38 > 0:01:42air ambulance crew fight to save a man with a critical heart condition.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44His aorta could burst at any minute,
0:01:44 > 0:01:46and I'm guessing it's probably starting to leak
0:01:46 > 0:01:47right at this moment.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54On the Isle of Man, a young girl is struggling to breathe.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04And it's motocross mayhem in Shropshire,
0:02:04 > 0:02:08when paramedics race to a rider with suspected spinal damage.
0:02:11 > 0:02:12What do you mean, it has gone?
0:02:27 > 0:02:31Cornwall, in Britain's extreme south-west.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33With its 400 miles of coastline,
0:02:33 > 0:02:35sandy beaches and sheltered coves,
0:02:35 > 0:02:40it's the best place in the country to catch some rays.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53And flying over this sun-dappled county is Cornwall Air Ambulance.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05It's the lifeline that speeds to medical emergencies
0:03:05 > 0:03:07wherever they happen.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11We've got a patient that has fallen, potentially, seven metres.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15The sooner we can get there, the sooner we can do what we do.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19They fly around 700 rescue missions every year.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25Paramedic Mark Fuzzard is an essential member of the team.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28It is a very rewarding job,
0:03:28 > 0:03:31being able to kind of get to people really quickly,
0:03:31 > 0:03:33and deliver a high quality of care
0:03:33 > 0:03:35to the patients when they need it most.
0:03:42 > 0:03:43But even in Cornwall,
0:03:43 > 0:03:48the great British weather can still put a dampener on your day.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53At the Cornwall Air Ambulance base at Newquay airport,
0:03:53 > 0:03:56a blanket of mist and rain has descended.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01The helicopters are grounded.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08At the moment, the weather is looking pretty rubbish again.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10Low cloud, drizzle.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13Things that cause us not to fly.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25Until the weather improves, they can't fly to any emergency calls.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31We don't know what the long-term forecast is yet, we haven't had the brief from the pilot,
0:04:31 > 0:04:34so, hopefully, he'll give us a good brief in the second and we will,
0:04:34 > 0:04:37hopefully, get to the patients that might need our help and skills.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46It's 2.30 and the cloud is lifting.
0:04:48 > 0:04:53PHONE RINGS And just as it does...
0:04:55 > 0:04:57Hiya, Nick.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59Hi. Yeah, good.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02..an emergency call comes in.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08An 83-year-old is at risk of going into cardiac arrest.
0:05:09 > 0:05:10Unlike a heart attack,
0:05:10 > 0:05:12in which there's an interruption of the blood supply
0:05:12 > 0:05:14to part of the heart,
0:05:14 > 0:05:18in a cardiac arrest, the heart stops beating altogether.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20Bye.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24It's a critical case.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30Miraculously, the weather has improved just enough
0:05:30 > 0:05:32and they're given the OK to take off.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36If you're all good for a start, fly confirm, please.
0:05:36 > 0:05:37- Confirm.- Cool, OK.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40Cloud's coming in. We're going to come up on the spot initially.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53The casualty is in the town of St Austell 12 miles away,
0:05:53 > 0:05:55or nine minutes by helicopter.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24The casualty's condition is life-threatening.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27A rapid response vehicle is already on-scene.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30The RRV has deemed that he may go into cardiac arrest
0:06:30 > 0:06:34at any point now so we need to get there fairly quickly
0:06:34 > 0:06:37and get him into hospital really quickly.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40Less than one in ten patients in cardiac arrest outside
0:06:40 > 0:06:42hospitals survive.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46They must get there fast. But the weather is still an issue.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58There could be an issue with the weather.
0:06:58 > 0:06:59We are...
0:06:59 > 0:07:02We have got some low cloud in the area.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05Hopefully, we should be able to do this.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07There should be a window.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12They'll be forced to land if the cloud base drops any lower.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18This time of year, the roads are pretty chocked up,
0:07:18 > 0:07:21especially on a day like today when they're not down the beach.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25They're going to be milling around trying to find something to do.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28It's going to take a long time for a land ambulance to get to
0:07:28 > 0:07:30hospital from St Austell.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38With the weather holding, the crew need a safe place to land.
0:07:38 > 0:07:39Low down on the nose. You see the
0:07:39 > 0:07:41- big solitary tree in the middle of the park?- Yeah.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45- I'm guessing that's where they want us, Mark. Is that right? - Yeah, I think so.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48Just passing that tree on the right
0:07:48 > 0:07:50- and then the aircraft's turning to the right.- Yeah.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52Your tail's well clear. Forwards and down.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56And we're just going to come straight down on this spot here.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00Pilot Dan lands close to the casualty, who's in the ambulance.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05Mark is briefed by the ground crew.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20It's not it cardiac arrest,
0:08:20 > 0:08:25but a life-threatening condition called an abdominal aortic aneurysm,
0:08:25 > 0:08:26or Triple A.
0:08:33 > 0:08:3683-year-old Frank and his wife Margaret were driving
0:08:36 > 0:08:38when he felt unwell and pulled over.
0:08:41 > 0:08:42Guys, what's the history?
0:08:53 > 0:08:56With a medical background, Frank knows his condition is critical.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14While the team prepare to move Frank to the helicopter,
0:09:14 > 0:09:16Mark reassures his wife, Margaret.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25We're bringing him out now. He's all right. We'll look after him, OK?
0:09:25 > 0:09:27We'll get him in, we'll get the doctors
0:09:27 > 0:09:28to look at him pretty quickly.
0:09:28 > 0:09:29- OK.- All right?
0:09:33 > 0:09:35Frank was looking really uncomfortable.
0:09:35 > 0:09:36Not nice for his wife to see that.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38His wife was obviously really upset
0:09:38 > 0:09:40and concerned about what was going on.
0:09:40 > 0:09:41But we tried to reassure her
0:09:41 > 0:09:44and tried to tell her that he was in good hands.
0:09:49 > 0:09:50He's got what we call a Triple A,
0:09:50 > 0:09:53which is an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55It's a bit like a hosepipe that has got a kink in it
0:09:55 > 0:09:56and just about to burst.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59So we really need to get him to theatres to get it checked out.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04The largest vessel from Frank's
0:10:04 > 0:10:06heart is swelling dangerously with blood.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12If it bursts, it will cause massive internal bleeding.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16Everything is looking OK at the minute,
0:10:16 > 0:10:19but we have got what we call a pulsatile mass that we
0:10:19 > 0:10:22need to kind of get the docs to look at, really,
0:10:22 > 0:10:24and the surgeons to be ready.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27If the pulsatile mass, or swelling, does burst,
0:10:27 > 0:10:29it's likely to be fatal.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35Time is crucial, but the bad weather is, again, threatening to close in.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37Hi, A & E. It's Mark on the helicopter.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40Just to let you know we're coming in. Going to be landing direct
0:10:40 > 0:10:42in about 10-15 minutes time.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44We have 83-year-old male with a Triple A.
0:11:03 > 0:11:04The Isle of Man.
0:11:05 > 0:11:10Its 85,000 residents live life at their own pace.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15It's a place that's tranquil and calm.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23But it isn't just somewhere you come to slow down.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31It's also where a lot of folk go to speed up.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34ROCK MUSIC PLAYS
0:11:34 > 0:11:37Many of the island's roads have no speed limit.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44Making it a paradise for petrolheads.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54But when trouble strikes, teams from the 42 front-line staff
0:11:54 > 0:11:56of the Isle Of Man Ambulance Service
0:11:56 > 0:11:59are always ready to speed to any emergency.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05On shift today are paramedic Graham Skinner
0:12:05 > 0:12:07and technician Joanne Surridge.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09Graham's a veteran.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13He's worked on the Isle Of Man ambulances for 27 years.
0:12:13 > 0:12:14I retired two years ago and
0:12:14 > 0:12:17was persuaded to come back as and when needed.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20Sickness and holidays, and a little bit of extra pocket money.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24I'm getting a bit too old for this job. Aches and pains.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26Joanne's based at the ambulance station in Douglas,
0:12:26 > 0:12:28the largest town on the island.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32Just coming up for six years in January, I'll have been here.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34Every day you don't know who you're going to meet
0:12:34 > 0:12:37or where you're going to go. So, it keeps you on your toes.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40Like coiled springs, hey, Graham?
0:12:40 > 0:12:42Maybe you, I don't know about me.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45My coil is getting pretty weak these days!
0:12:49 > 0:12:52But spring into action they do.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54They've had a 999 call.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06We're going to a motorbike RTC now.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08SIREN WAILS
0:13:16 > 0:13:19They're speeding from Douglas to the crash site,
0:13:19 > 0:13:21seven miles away on the road to Peel.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27But the roads are busy.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32Even in the Isle Of Man, every year, there's more and more traffic.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34It is a slower pace of life and an easier pace of life,
0:13:34 > 0:13:38but there's more and more traffic.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40Just about on it now.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44Biker next to the side of the road.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46Bike on its side.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48Gone into the back of a car, by the looks of it.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56A motorcyclist has been thrown from his bike.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58Pete Smith, our duty officer,
0:13:58 > 0:14:01arrived a couple of seconds ahead of us.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03We actually got to the patient at the same time
0:14:03 > 0:14:05who was lying on the floor.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09The police officer was holding his head, keeping him nice and still.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12Joanne first checks for spinal injuries.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15- I'm just going to have a little feel of the back of your neck.- Yeah.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17And without shaking your head, I just want yes or no.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21- Is there any pain where I'm touching?- No.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23Let's take this helmet off you there.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25Shall we sit you up and then you can whip it off.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27- Oh, there you go.- Are these reading glasses?
0:14:27 > 0:14:28- No.- Could do with a pair now.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30THEY LAUGH
0:14:30 > 0:14:32- Right, what do we call you?- John.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34I'm just going to sit you up, John.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36- How's that doing?- Yeah, no. That's all good.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38Right, just sit still just for a minute.
0:14:38 > 0:14:39Get your bearings.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42Right, when you crashed, have you been up on your feet since?
0:14:42 > 0:14:45- No, no.- You haven't. So this is the position that you've landed in.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49- OK. Were you unconscious at all?- No.
0:14:49 > 0:14:50Can I have a little feel your pulse?
0:14:52 > 0:14:55- You've gone into the back of the car, have you?- Yeah.- Yeah. OK.
0:15:04 > 0:15:05Looks like John's been lucky.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10The per capita rate of road traffic death in the Isle Of Man
0:15:10 > 0:15:13is higher than it is in the UK mainland.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15And the other one?
0:15:15 > 0:15:16Need our help?
0:15:16 > 0:15:19How does that feel? Any aches or pains?
0:15:19 > 0:15:21Yeah, no, that's fine.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23Fine, just get your bearings.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26And then what we'll do is we'll pop you in the back of the ambulance
0:15:26 > 0:15:27and we'll just check you over.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29- Check you over.- OK?
0:15:29 > 0:15:30- All right.- All right?
0:15:30 > 0:15:32We'll get a couple of plasters for your bike, as well.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34We've got them in the back of the car.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36Yeah, we've got plenty of plasters.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43So, were you thrown up over the car
0:15:43 > 0:15:45or have you just hit it and fallen off?
0:15:52 > 0:15:53Just sit back for me, John,
0:15:53 > 0:15:56so I can have a little listen to your chest.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58In and out through your mouth for me.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00Joanne checks for hidden injuries.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04Have you got any new aches and pains anywhere?
0:16:09 > 0:16:11OK, so your neck's still OK and everything, as it was before,
0:16:11 > 0:16:14- when I checked it. Yeah. - Yeah, it's fine.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18Turns out, John was fouled by a bird.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22It looks like there was a pheasant going across the road
0:16:22 > 0:16:26and then all the other traffic had slammed on and he's gone
0:16:26 > 0:16:29straight into the back of a car and then come off his bike.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32So, you've done well not to have ripped any of your clothes
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- or anything. You've got no... - It's still all bike stuff.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38- Are these biker jeans, are they? - Yes, Kevlar jeans.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40The outside hoodie is Kevlar.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43Well, it shows it pays to have that kind of gear.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48All your observations that we've done, completely normal.
0:16:48 > 0:16:49Not worried about you at all.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51Your blood pressure is a tiny bit raised,
0:16:51 > 0:16:53but that's totally to be expected.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59With the all-clear, John's free to deal with the other casualty -
0:16:59 > 0:17:00his bike.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10Traffic accidents account for over 150 callouts a year
0:17:10 > 0:17:13for the Isle of Man Ambulance Service.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17But getting to some casualties doesn't require a vehicle at all.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21Joanne's been called to an urgent patient in the GP surgery
0:17:21 > 0:17:24right next to the ambulance station in Port Erin.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31Seven-year-old Tia's breathing is fast and laboured.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34Her worried mum, Shareen, has rushed her to the GP.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39This is Tia who's come in today, a bit wheezy,
0:17:39 > 0:17:42had a history of using inhalers in the past.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44Her oxygen levels are down a bit,
0:17:44 > 0:17:47I think she really needs to go into hospital.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49Right, Tia, if you come with us
0:17:49 > 0:17:51we'll get you in the back of the ambulance.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56In a patient this young, breathing problems are a real worry.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00Tia needs to get to hospital fast.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22In Cornwall...
0:18:24 > 0:18:26..the crew of the Air Ambulance Service
0:18:26 > 0:18:29are still treating 83-year-old Frank.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31You all right, Frank? You all right?
0:18:33 > 0:18:35Get on. Is there anything we can do to help with that?
0:18:35 > 0:18:38Paramedics Paul Simons and Mark Fuzzard
0:18:38 > 0:18:40prepare Frank for the journey to hospital.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43Frank's wife, Margaret, will travel by road.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47Frank, just lift your arm up just a touch for me.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51He's got what we call an abdominal aortic aneurysm,
0:18:51 > 0:18:53which means his aorta could burst at any minute, and
0:18:53 > 0:18:56I'm guessing it's probably starting to leak right at this moment.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59- Are we good?- Yes.- Let's crack on.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03The aneurysm is a dangerous swelling in the largest vessel
0:19:03 > 0:19:08from Frank's heart. If it does burst, he's likely to die.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12The team know only surgery will save him.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24They're racing from the town of St Austell
0:19:24 > 0:19:28to the Royal Cornwall Hospital on the outskirts of Truro,
0:19:28 > 0:19:30a journey of 11 critical minutes.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42But the weather is still a worry.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46If the cloud base descends too far, visibility will drop
0:19:46 > 0:19:48and the helicopter will be forced to land.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51The weather does change very quickly down in Cornwall,
0:19:51 > 0:19:53or it can do, especially on days like today,
0:19:53 > 0:19:57and if we have to land, our concern is for Frank.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06Paul and Mark watch Frank closely.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12Frank was quite poorly chap really.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15His blood pressure was dropping, he was looking quite clammy
0:20:15 > 0:20:17and looking really uncomfortable with it.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30With such low blood pressure,
0:20:30 > 0:20:33Frank's too vulnerable to be given morphine.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36They do all they safely can to make him comfortable.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51Roger, thank you.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01The weather holds
0:21:01 > 0:21:03and they make it to the Royal Cornwall Hospital.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10Good, yeah, we're down.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13Cool. I'll keep the monitor in, if you're happy, dude.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16Yes, more than happy. Keep him on the pads, as well.
0:21:16 > 0:21:17Yeah, that's what I meant.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22Frank's taken straight to emergency care.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50Handover complete, Frank will go to surgery.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08So lucky we were able to get Frank here quickly.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10The weather was good on the journey in,
0:22:10 > 0:22:12and in only the 15 minutes that we've been in hospital
0:22:12 > 0:22:15the weather's turned to quite nasty again,
0:22:15 > 0:22:18so in that little short window of opportunity we managed to get
0:22:18 > 0:22:22over to St Austell, get Frank to hospital really quickly,
0:22:22 > 0:22:25just in time for it to clamp in again and become unflyable for us.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30But he's in the best place now so surgeons can do their stuff
0:22:30 > 0:22:32and hopefully get Frank on the mend again.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48Shropshire,
0:22:48 > 0:22:50on a sunny late summer's day.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52It doesn't get much more idyllic.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02The only thing that could improve it...
0:23:04 > 0:23:08..170 revved up bikers, battling to be the fastest wheels in town.
0:23:12 > 0:23:13This is motocross.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19When you want off-road bike racing down and dirty,
0:23:19 > 0:23:20this is where you come -
0:23:20 > 0:23:24Hazeley Grange, near the small town of Cleobury Mortimer.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30With this many motorbikes hurtling round the treacherous track,
0:23:30 > 0:23:34having skilled emergency medics on site is a must.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42Leading a team of specialist private event paramedics
0:23:42 > 0:23:45and ambulance technicians is Pat Mahan.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47His team are ready for any crisis.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51Today at Warfield Motocross, we've got an ambulance based here.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54We're staged here and further down the track, we've got a 4x4
0:23:54 > 0:23:57what can get to patients fast and effectively.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00We can have everything from a cut finger to broken bones,
0:24:00 > 0:24:03the list goes on. Anything can happen at a motocross.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07Hopefully, fingers crossed, we have a quiet day, but only time can tell.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12Behind the wheel of the 4x4 are advanced technician
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Sean Marshall and paramedic Amy Siddaway.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20They're ready to race across the course to any injured riders.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25Just going into the middle of the track where the 4x4
0:24:25 > 0:24:27will be stationed for the event.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31It's easier for the 4x4 to get access to any accidents
0:24:31 > 0:24:33and incidents that might occur on the track itself
0:24:33 > 0:24:35than it is for the ambulance,
0:24:35 > 0:24:38which remains positioned at the top of the track.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44Yeah, Sean to Pat, we're in position.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48Now, they keep a lookout for any raised flags,
0:24:48 > 0:24:51a system used by race stewards to signal for help.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54They have various flags on the track.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56They have the blue and white flag
0:24:56 > 0:25:00usually means that part of the track needs repairs, such as the fencing.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03They have the yellow flag, which is an obstruction on the track.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07The red flag is when they're stopping the race, and the flag
0:25:07 > 0:25:10for medical is the white flag with the red cross through the middle.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17Before the race starts the riders have some practice runs.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22And there's already a call.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27All we've been told at the moment is that we have a red flag
0:25:27 > 0:25:31up at the top of the track by where our ambulance is positioned.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34The medics from the ambulance are making their way over on foot.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37A rider has come off his bike.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47Hello.
0:25:52 > 0:25:5626-year-old Barney has aggravated an existing injury.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03What happened?
0:26:16 > 0:26:18OK, so it's gone whilst riding?
0:26:25 > 0:26:28Amy and Sean need to get Barney to the ambulance,
0:26:28 > 0:26:31but that means stopping the race to cross the track.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35Just got to wait for the red flag to come
0:26:35 > 0:26:37so we can cross the track. We never cross a live track.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40So, as soon as this lap's finished we'll be going back across,
0:26:40 > 0:26:43take the patient to the ambulance and give him a full assessment.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55A mate's brought Barney's bike to the ambulance just in case.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09While the ambulance crew give Barney the once over,
0:27:09 > 0:27:11the real racing begins.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26So, it's straight back to the action for Amy and Sean.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35We're hoping for a nice, safe ride,
0:27:35 > 0:27:38but if anything happens we're here and we're ready.
0:27:40 > 0:27:41Like Barney,
0:27:41 > 0:27:45most motocross riders won't let a crash get in the way of the race.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48We find most of the riders will just get back up,
0:27:48 > 0:27:50get back on their bike and finish their racing.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56Yeah, they're tough old cookies, these.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02But all those bikes, going hell for leather on today's dry ground,
0:28:02 > 0:28:05means the track's getting churned up...
0:28:07 > 0:28:09..and causing riders to fall.
0:28:13 > 0:28:17The whole corner's getting them, they seem to be digging in.
0:28:17 > 0:28:18I don't know whether it's...
0:28:20 > 0:28:21Whether it's a bit soft
0:28:21 > 0:28:25or it's just chewing up a bit I think, isn't it?
0:28:25 > 0:28:26There's quite a few falls now.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30The condition of the track is a bit unstable at the moment
0:28:30 > 0:28:33so I think they're going to sort it before the next race.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40Track resurfaced, another race begins.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47And soon another rider's down.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56What you mean it's gone?
0:28:57 > 0:28:59This time it's more serious.
0:29:01 > 0:29:02But with the rider on the track...
0:29:04 > 0:29:06..and bikes speeding past,
0:29:06 > 0:29:09the paramedics are in danger until this race is stopped.
0:29:23 > 0:29:24From a rider down...
0:29:26 > 0:29:28..to a ride to hospital.
0:29:32 > 0:29:33Push yourself back.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36- Bring your bum back. - Bring your bum back into there.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39On the Isle of Man, paramedic Graham Skinner and technician
0:29:39 > 0:29:42Joanne Surridge are with seven-year-old Tia,
0:29:42 > 0:29:44who's having breathing problems.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47The more you're sat up, the easier it is to breathe, all right?
0:29:47 > 0:29:50All right, my love, can I have a little listen to your chest?
0:29:50 > 0:29:54Breathe in and out through your mouth for me, darling.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57Tia's being taken to Noble's Hospital with mum, Shareen,
0:29:57 > 0:29:59and sister Macy.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01It should take around 30 minutes.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04Oh, yes, we're a bit wheezy, aren't we?
0:30:08 > 0:30:10Tia's previously had breathing difficulties,
0:30:10 > 0:30:13but has never been diagnosed with any condition.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15How long since the last episode like this?
0:30:15 > 0:30:19Um, it's been a few years since she's been to hospital.
0:30:19 > 0:30:22She had a productive cough or bringing anything up?
0:30:22 > 0:30:25- She was sick on the way here, we had to stop the taxi.- OK.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30Graham and Joanne fear Tia's having an asthma attack.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33Right, sweetie, I'm just going to put this over your mouth
0:30:33 > 0:30:36and it will just help with your breathing. OK? OK?
0:30:39 > 0:30:40Pop that there, out of the way. OK?
0:30:42 > 0:30:47Via a mask called a nebuliser, Joanne gives Tia salbutamol,
0:30:47 > 0:30:49a drug to relax the muscles in her airways.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56One in 11 children in the UK has asthma.
0:30:58 > 0:31:02It's important to keep young patients like Tia relaxed and calm.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06What have I got here?
0:31:07 > 0:31:10Just take your mind off it whilst we're on our way to hospital.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13This is a leaflet and it's all about Alistair The Ambulance
0:31:13 > 0:31:16and it's what he does every day.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20And there's some puzzles and some colouring-in in the back.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23And would you like a sticker? Yes. Pop it on your T-shirt.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25Shall I pop it there?
0:31:25 > 0:31:28Shall I give one to your sister? Yeah?
0:31:30 > 0:31:32Would you like a sticker like your sister?
0:31:32 > 0:31:35That says you've been in an ambulance.
0:31:36 > 0:31:37How are you doing, Tia?
0:31:37 > 0:31:39Are you tired, sweetheart? Yeah?
0:31:41 > 0:31:42Are you feeling a little bit better?
0:31:44 > 0:31:46No?
0:31:48 > 0:31:50Mummy's just sat behind you, OK?
0:31:54 > 0:31:56All right, darling?
0:31:56 > 0:31:57Are you warm enough?
0:31:59 > 0:32:02Tia's becoming less responsive.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06Joanne's concerned.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09'Well, her breathing was getting faster, her respiratory rate,
0:32:09 > 0:32:13'she was quite tired and hadn't improved with the first nebuliser.'
0:32:29 > 0:32:32Joanne increases Tia's dose of salbutamol
0:32:32 > 0:32:35and adds another drug to increase airflow to the lungs.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40All right, sweetheart, I'm going to give you some more medicine now.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43I'll tighten that up on you again
0:32:43 > 0:32:45because it keeps slipping off past your lovely hair.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49Are you all right, sweetheart?
0:32:52 > 0:32:54Let's put your hair back up, out of the way.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58This medicine will help even more than the medicine did before, OK?
0:32:59 > 0:33:02But the new dose still isn't improving Tia's breathing.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08I'm not happy at all. Can you pull over, please?
0:33:08 > 0:33:11I'm wondering if we should give her some hydrocortisone.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13Her respiratory rate is increasing greatly
0:33:13 > 0:33:15and she's not with it at all.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20We're just going to stop and let Graham have a little
0:33:20 > 0:33:23look at her and possibly give her some other medicine.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29As a paramedic, Graham is more highly qualified
0:33:29 > 0:33:33than technician, Joanne, and can administer a greater range of drugs.
0:33:35 > 0:33:39- She's well over 40 a minute now, but really struggling.- Blood pressure?
0:33:39 > 0:33:42Her blood pressure is 125.
0:33:42 > 0:33:46She's had 250 of atrovent, but she doesn't feel like it's
0:33:46 > 0:33:48helping her at all at the moment.
0:33:48 > 0:33:49Do you feel any better?
0:33:53 > 0:33:55OK.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57Right, what we're going to do is we going to put the lights
0:33:57 > 0:34:00and sirens on, and we're just going to get to hospital quicker but we're
0:34:00 > 0:34:03not going to go to the children's ward, we going to go to A & E, OK?
0:34:05 > 0:34:08Graham wants to get Tia to hospital fast.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14This is now a blue-light job.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20Joanne calls ahead to ensure emergency help is on standby.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25We're coming in with a girl from Southern Group Practice.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28We're on our way to children's ward with her.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31She's gone a bit downhill since we've been en route though.
0:34:31 > 0:34:33Her respiratory rate's increasing.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36I would feel happier if we brought her direct to A & E.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39OK, yes, we're coming in on lights. Thank you. Bye.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45At A & E, Tia will be seen by a doctor immediately.
0:34:47 > 0:34:51You all right, sweetheart? How are you feeling now?
0:34:51 > 0:34:53A little bit better? Or the same
0:34:53 > 0:34:55or little bit worse?
0:34:57 > 0:34:59You don't know?
0:35:03 > 0:35:08Just ten minutes later, they're at Noble's, the island's main hospital.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19No improvement at all on the breathing.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22Right, my love, let's get you in.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29It's over to Dr Sudip Ghosh.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34I'll give you the nice, pink medicine now. OK?
0:35:34 > 0:35:37We'll take that off, open your mouth
0:35:37 > 0:35:38and give you some pink medicine.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43- Well done.- Well done!
0:35:43 > 0:35:45Keep it in. Down, down, down.
0:35:45 > 0:35:46It's not very nice, is it?
0:35:46 > 0:35:50He gives her steroids to calm her inflamed airways.
0:35:50 > 0:35:55Now they must hope and wait for Tia's breathing to return to normal.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21150 miles south-east of Douglas,
0:36:21 > 0:36:24in the heart of England...
0:36:29 > 0:36:31..a team of paramedics and technicians
0:36:31 > 0:36:35are at work at a busy motocross race event in Shropshire.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40A rider has been thrown from his bike.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45What you mean it's gone?
0:36:48 > 0:36:5328-year-old Ed is still lying on the track, with bikes speeding past.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00Paramedic Amy Siddaway is trying to stabilise him.
0:37:03 > 0:37:07We're going to pop you on a board and a collar, OK?
0:37:07 > 0:37:11Just because you're complaining of pain in your neck and in your hips.
0:37:11 > 0:37:16When Ed was thrown off his 105kg bike it landed on top of him.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21Keep your neck nice and still for me, sweetheart,
0:37:21 > 0:37:22don't move your head.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26If you can give the pain a score, one to ten,
0:37:26 > 0:37:30- ten being the worst pain you've ever experienced?- It's about seven.
0:37:30 > 0:37:34About seven. The pain in your back, Ed, whereabouts is it?
0:37:39 > 0:37:42With the race still running, the team can't properly assess Ed
0:37:42 > 0:37:45or get him off the track, it needs to be stopped.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01The main concern is to stop the track, make sure myself
0:38:01 > 0:38:04and my colleagues and the patient is all safe. That's my main concern.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08- Don't move your head.- Stay still.
0:38:08 > 0:38:10Hang on, Amy, I'll bed down.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16Are you OK there, Ed?
0:38:19 > 0:38:20Any pains anywhere else?
0:38:23 > 0:38:25Just your back.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27Right leg, right shoulder, and your neck.
0:38:30 > 0:38:34Pains in his neck and back can be warnings of spinal damage -
0:38:34 > 0:38:38injuries that can cause serious impairment and even paralysis.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45It's going to be a bit uncomfortable, OK?
0:38:45 > 0:38:47They are not designed for comfort.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50If Ed has injured his spine, the brace they fit
0:38:50 > 0:38:53will prevent further damage as the medics move him.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57Right then, Ed, we're going to be rolling you, OK?
0:38:57 > 0:39:00We don't want you to do anything, just go with us,
0:39:00 > 0:39:02- keep nice and still, OK?- Righto.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04We're going to go on "roll". Ready, steady roll.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10His fellow riders look on.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15- On your shout again, Sidds.- Going to go on "roll". Ready, steady roll.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20OK, nearly done. Nearly done.
0:39:22 > 0:39:23On Amy's shout again.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26We're going to go down and then up.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29- Yes, so we going to come down. - Yes.- Yes.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32OK? On "slide". Ready, steady, slide.
0:39:34 > 0:39:38Over 1,000 people suffer a spinal injury each year in the UK
0:39:38 > 0:39:42and Ireland. Sports accidents are the third highest cause.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45On the count of three, we're going to go up. One, two, three.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56In the ambulance, Amy updates her colleague,
0:39:56 > 0:39:58A & E nurse Helen Cumberland.
0:40:00 > 0:40:01Front wheel's dug into the rut.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04He's gone over the handlebars and the bike's landed on him.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07Complaining of pain in his C1, C2 area.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09Also complaining of lower back pain.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12He's complaining of numbness, numbness sensation in both legs.
0:40:12 > 0:40:17Damage to the C1 and C2 areas at the top of the spine can cause
0:40:17 > 0:40:20the most devastating injuries.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22Can you feel me touching you here?
0:40:22 > 0:40:24Does it feel the same on both sides?
0:40:26 > 0:40:28In what way does feel different?
0:40:30 > 0:40:32Here?
0:40:32 > 0:40:35Same again, right side feels different?
0:40:37 > 0:40:39And down here?
0:40:40 > 0:40:42In what way?
0:40:42 > 0:40:44A bit tingly.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49Outside Ed's dad, Peter, waits for news.
0:40:49 > 0:40:53He saw the moment his son was thrown from his bike.
0:40:53 > 0:40:54OK?
0:40:54 > 0:40:59He just come round the corner and went straight over the bars.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01The bike locked and he went straight over the bars
0:41:01 > 0:41:03and the bike came up and hit him,
0:41:03 > 0:41:07landed on him and then the guy ran to him and pulled the bike off him
0:41:07 > 0:41:11and he was complaining of back pain then straightaway so...
0:41:12 > 0:41:14And that's when the paramedics come then.
0:41:18 > 0:41:20It's OK, we're giving him something for the pain.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23Just carrying on with our assessment now
0:41:23 > 0:41:26and about to hand over to West Midlands Ambulance Service.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29Ed will need more scans and tests.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31Ready, set, go.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37But the team's ambulance must stay on site.
0:41:37 > 0:41:39He'll be taken the 30 miles to hospital in Hereford
0:41:39 > 0:41:41by West Midlands Ambulance Service.
0:41:42 > 0:41:44OK, are you happy there?
0:41:44 > 0:41:47- Everybody happy?- Yes.- Yes.- I'll take the head on my own there.- Cool.
0:41:49 > 0:41:53He'll be assessed by doctors, just to see what's going on with him
0:41:53 > 0:41:55and they'll assess the scans and take it further from there.
0:41:57 > 0:41:58I've swapped details with Dad
0:41:58 > 0:42:01so hopefully Dad's going to contact me when he knows what's
0:42:01 > 0:42:03happening with the patient and give us all an update.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06Hopefully, fingers crossed, good news.
0:42:07 > 0:42:11And, as for the race, it may be one man down,
0:42:11 > 0:42:14but these speed demons won't let that put them off.
0:42:22 > 0:42:27It's been all go for the emergency services across the British Isles.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32Biker Ed had a very lucky escape.
0:42:32 > 0:42:36He suffered a badly bruised spine, liver and kidney,
0:42:36 > 0:42:38but didn't do any permanent damage.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41And just a few weeks later he was back on his bike.
0:42:45 > 0:42:49On the Isle of Man, after four days in hospital,
0:42:49 > 0:42:51Tia was diagnosed with asthma.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54After treatment, she's now back at home.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00And in Cornwall, Frank was rushed into life-saving surgery
0:43:00 > 0:43:02where a team operated on his aneurysm.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06After ten weeks in the ward he was transferred
0:43:06 > 0:43:09to his local hospital to recuperate.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11He's now back home with his wife, Margaret.
0:43:14 > 0:43:17And you thought it was quiet in the countryside!