Yesterday morning, Netcare 911 paramedics received a call for a man that collapsed at a construction site in Ballito. Reports from the scene indicate that a man that was suffering from a medical condition was working at the construction site approximately ten meters below ground level, when he collapsed.
The Netcare 911 Advanced Life Support paramedic and his ambulance crew arrived at the scene and found the man lying on the ground in a serious condition, with concerned and empathetic first aid staff assisting him. It was fantastic to see the compassion and empathy that the management of the site showed towards their staff, definitely an example for others.
Paramedics realised that it will be a challenge to get the patient back up to the road level. They called for the Netcare 911 rescue unit and SAP Search and rescue, who work hand in hand in situations like this, to set up a specialised rescue system using one of the cranes on site. A paramedic and the SAP Rescue member was hooked up onto the crane and with skilful precision the operator lowered them down to the patient.
Medics skilfully immobilised the man into a Stokes Rescue Basket, and after he was secured, they connected the patient and themselves to the crane. Once again, the crane operator and the team controlling the hoist showed phenomenal skill as they hoisted them back up to the ground level. The patient was loaded into an awaiting ambulance and then transported to a local medical facility for the care that he required.
