Fuddland

Yes I know you’re not really supposed to move people who have collapsed [unless they’d be in even greater danger if you didn’t], but the next time you find an elderly woman lying on the pavement of a main road, and manage to ascertain through some fairly confused words that she lives about a hundred yards down the road, you just try and resist the temptation to pick her up and carry her home, and instead insist that she lies on the cold, hard ground whilst you call for an ambulance. I couldn’t, and so with the help of a couple of other passers-by, who took care of her bag and her walking frame, I got her to her house, where her son answered the door with surprise.

As he tended to his eighty-something mother on the sofa I called for an ambulance on my mobile, trying as best I could to answer their questions about her apparent condition; the other people had left. I decided that I too should give them their privacy so told the son I was only across the street if he needed anything else, and let them be. But a few minutes later my mobile rang — it was a nurse, wanting some more information before they actually sent out the ambulance. I’ve never had to call for an ambulance before, but I guess this is the procedure when the situation doesn’t appear to be emergent: the woman wasn’t bleeding, vomiting or unconscious. Just exhausted and a bit confused, and old. I ran back across the street and gave my ‘phone to the son, waiting in the hallway as he filled the nurse in on his mother’s history and gave out his own telephone number.

I didn’t hear any sirens anytime soon after that, so I’m not sure what happened next, other than me needing a good strong cup of tea.

Spookily, as I walked home this afternoon, an ambulance sped past me, sirens blaring, just as I approached the spot where I’d found the woman yesterday.

#1

Kav | 2005 / 02 / 11 – 09:47

Well done that man. I would not be at all surprised if they did not bother sending an ambulance but then I might be over cynical.

As to what you should do when finding them collapsed on the street I tend to find a good kick to the midriff will release tension build up and teach ‘em to be old and using up valuable resources, like oxygen.

#2

Gordon | 2005 / 02 / 11 – 12:47

I know I shouldn’t but I HAVE to comment on your quaint use of the apostrophe in ‘phone.

How old school of you ;-)

#3

David | 2005 / 02 / 11 – 12:57

Re #2: By “quaint” I take it you mean “correct”? ;) You’ll not find any colloquialisms around here, not on your nelly.

#4

Daisy | 2005 / 02 / 16 – 17:23

Good for you for helping. Hope she’s recovered and has at least been seen by a doctor.

And here’s another vote for the correct spelling of ‘phone!

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