With every second count, emergency response time means everything. Living in a rural area means that there have been times when it seemed like we were on our own with no help coming. However, twice I was presented with opportunities to save lives and ensure people got the urgent medical attention they needed when there wasn't an ambulance around, or any other conventional form of transport for that matter.
This story is about how I used my motorcycle bike and whatever else was at hand to get two people who were in critical condition to safety just in time. It shows that often things can still be changed for better even when they seem worst.
In this write-up, you will discover why one should remain rational while evaluating emergencies then take steps towards solving them; even if resources are few. If you ever find yourself anywhere outside your comfort zone responding to someone’s call for help in an isolated place then these stories may come handy as they demonstrate how keeping calm under stress can be the difference between life and death when professional assistance is hours away.
Midnight Heart Attack Rescue
The Emergency Situation
It was late at night, probably past midnight when I heard loud shouts coming from next door. In a hurry, I went there only to find out that one of the men living in that house was holding onto his chest as if he had been shot while struggling for breaths; obviously suffering from severe heart attack pains. He needed immediate medical attention but unfortunately no ambulance could reach us, and the nearest hospital is 30 minutes drive from our house.
Speeding to the Hospital on a Motorcycle
Thinking fast, I knew my motorcycle could be the quickest way to get this guy to needful care. With help from another neighbor, we lifted him onto the back of my bike as tenderly as we could manage. His friend held him steady while I tore down the dark roads toward the hospital; every second counts now.
It was a hell of a ride, pushing the bike to its capacity around those winding rural roads. But fifteen minutes later we pulled up at the hospital, having shaved valuable minutes off of what is normally an ambulance response. Doctors swarmed around him, he was so close to dead. Luckily they were able to bring him back and he lived. If not for quick thinking and acting in that moment things would have turned out very differently; it reminded me how life-saving it can be to think outside of the box when aid is late.
Saving a kid having Convulsion at the Highway
Finding myself in a distressed scene
I was on my way home from the weekly errands I typically run every Tuesday when I noticed something that looked like a roadside crisis. There was this lady who seemed powerless and she had a little baby in her arms. At first, it seemed as if the child was suffering from some sort of convulsion because its whole body was shaking so badly. A few people had already started to gather around them but none appeared to know what exactly they could do for such a desperate situation.
As a father, I had dealt with seizures in my own kids before. I told her she needed to clear his airway by putting her finger in his mouth. When that didn’t work and he kept convulsing, I gently tapped his feet to see if I could get any response out of him. After a few long seconds, he started breathing again and let out a cry, the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard.
Providing adequate medical care
Knowing that we were still far from being in the clear, I knew the baby needed medical attention right away. The mother had only a small amount of money with her, and no way of getting him there herself. I assured her it would be alright and carried them on my bike tightly. At the closest medical store, I explained what had happened and helped cover some of the costs for her. It was such a relief knowing the baby was going to be well again.
Conclusion
In every emergency, time is of the essence. I saved two lives which could have been lost if there had been no immediate response by thinking fast and using what was around me even if an ambulance wasn't available. My experiences show that responding to crises with a calm head and creative problem-solving can make all the difference.
Whether it's keeping someone breathing until help arrives or getting them urgent medical care when no other transport is available, thinking outside the box and prioritizing the patient's needs above all else can turn a dire situation around. For those living in remote areas like me or ever finding oneself the first to come across someone in distress,
I hope my stories serve as proof that one person's quick thinking may be what saves a life. So don't hesitate to assess the emergency and do whatever it takes to get the needing party the help they need as fast as possible. You never know, you could end up being a hero too.
The attached image is mine.