Is anybody prepping for the scenario of no ambulance being sent?

[ThereIbledit]

Bear with me, but one thing that scares me is being stuck without an ambulance and paramedics in scenarios during which you used to be able to rely on them. The horror stories are normal reality now, elderly people are being left on the floor with a broken hip for 12, 24, 36 hours before an ambulance arrives, heart attack and stroke an ambulance may arrive within 3-5 hours. Broken leg, they just aren't coming. Now I've broken my leg badly before, and there was fuck all way anybody was getting me off the floor without a stretcher and entonox gas, let alone sat upright in a car. I have elderly parents who it already takes two people to assist to get up if they have a fall - it may sound silly to you but I live in fear of them falling and breaking something, because I think the only way to get medical attention is going to be getting them into a car somehow.

My first aid certificate is out of date, but I'm still fairly confident in my abilities (and work will update my training on that soon). I know where the nearest 3 defibrillators are, how to access and use them. I encourage everybody to keep good stocks of their prescription medicine in, I got a bumper first aid kit for my car for Christmas. My question is more, what else should a prepper think about having in stock at home, that we can legally have, that we used to be able to rely on an ambulance for? I was thinking about getting some kind of splint(s) and/or stretcher, for moving a casualty into a car.

TLDR: has anybody else thought about and prepped for medical emergencies that you would have otherwise have relied on an ambulance for?

[Hungrycaterpillarsmummy]

Nope not any more than normal such as having calpol and Nurofen for the kids and aspirin, paracetamol and ibuprofen for adults.
the thread you are referring to about the woman with the broken hip didn't have a broken bone in the end :)

[longcoffeebreak]

God no I haven't but sound like a good idea if you are competent.

[Useyourfork]

Antihistamines for allergic reaction. I know of a case where these saved someone’s life as the delayed anyphalaxis which bought them time before they got treatment.

[WelshNerd]

The majority of ambulance calls are for falls so it makes sense to try and prevent them. Age UK and other similar organisations have advice on this.

www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/exercise/falls-prevention/

[Gwenhwyfar]

@Useyourfork

Antihistamines for allergic reaction. I know of a case where these saved someone’s life as the delayed anyphalaxis which bought them time before they got treatment.

They had a serious allergy but no epi pen??

[lorn195]

My DH and I were talking about this very subject tonight after a family member was recently taken ill.

I explained to my husband that I wanted to do a refresher aid course, though I would be confident in giving CPR, putting someone into the recovery position having had first aid training through Guiding. I also know the location of the nearest AED, and have been lucky enough to have been giving training on the use of one.

As for medicine we have plenty of that and I try and keep our first aid kit stocked up with dressings etc.

Although it's something that everyone should think about, it's a shame that it's come to crisis that we have to think it about it more.

[DomesticShortHair]

The only thing I’ve done is to save the post code of the nearest hospital with an A&E department into my car sat nav. I’m quite rural, so it’s a little while away and I’m not 100% sure of the way, plus the sat nav calculates the best route depending on the current traffic.

That way, if I’m at home and need to get someone there in a hurry instead of waiting for an ambulance, it’ll be one less thing to faff about with. It’s already stored so I just need to select it and off I go.

[Littlebluedinosaur]

Not prepping for this specifically but we have a resuscitation mask kept in the car.

[BooksAndHooks]

At the moment we live close enough to the hospital that it is quicker to drive than call an ambulance. The A&E is going to be closed shortly and I have worried about getting to hospital in future if we have to drive as the new site is further away, harder to drive to and with very limited parking.

[musicalfrog]

How about training as a paramedic.

If enough people do it, there might be more available to help!

OK I'm only half serious. I know staff shortage is not the only issue.

[MMAMPWGHAP]

After a couple of experiences at home and reading threads here I’d suggest a stretcher and a collapsible wheelchair. Not that I am into prepping whatsoever.

[Fuckitydoodah]

This has crossed my mind a lot recently. My dad had a suspected broken hip earlier in the year and an ambulance took 13 hours to get to him. Waiting times have only deteriorated since then.

I keep thinking I should do a first aid course as it's been years since I did one. This thread is also making me think I should get better first aid supplies.

The days of ringing 999 and being guaranteed the arrival of an ambulance are gone. I can't believe this is 21st century Britain.

[FredaFox]

My mum called an ambulance 2 years ago as she literally couldn't walk. Ambulance took 12 hours
Turns out she had bad cellulitis but at the time I was worried sick it was more serious

I worry what would happen now should she fall as she has limited mobility and can be wobbly sometimes

[Avrenim]

We are very very lucky to have a nurse in the house although not an ED nurse. Before covid and ever since we gradually stocked up on and regularly check prescription meds, also paracetamol, ibuprofen (also the gel), plasters, nebuliser and saline vials, oximeters, thermometers, and a blood pressure monitor plus cough medicines, dioralyte type drinks and antiseptic creams, gel packs that can be frozen or microwaved for heat as well as various items to help with home remedies (eg aromatherapy - between us we know enough ro use these safely).

Printed lists of phone numbers as well as saved in contacts list on phone.

There are some really good additional ideas on here though that we will definitely add to the kit. Unfortunately as a society we are about to reap the consequences of the decisions of the last 12 years in particular. That includes having to be much more self reliant. It's really going to come as something of a shock to many.

[EmmaEmerald]

@Hungrycaterpillarsmummy

Nope not any more than normal such as having calpol and Nurofen for the kids and aspirin, paracetamol and ibuprofen for adults.
the thread you are referring to about the woman with the broken hip didn't have a broken bone in the end :)

Oh I'm glad she didn't
but that was the wait time when they thought she did!

I can't do any prepping for that sort of thing, but I would if I could. I do have lots of first aid stuff.

[Mammyloveswine]

My mam died suddenly on Tuesday..she collapsed at home..an ambulance was with her within 8 minutes and the paramedic in the phone talked my dad through cpr..they were all amazing.

[tootiredtospeak]

My Grandad had a fall this week couldn't get out of bed for days eventually had to call an ambulance NYE morning. Was told up to a 12 hour wait by operator. Reality 1 hour till the paramedic came and in 2 hours he was in hospital. Some of it is said to put people off I think. Nothing wrong could really have done to prep for it we arent medically trained at 90 we could have done more harm than good.

[RagzRebooted]

I have an army backpack that zips out into a field stretcher. It has actually been used once, to bring a neighbour back from a field after they fell and broke their leg. That's one use in 10 years though, but it also works as backpack/BOB.

[shesabitofastrangeone]

@Mammyloveswine

My mam died suddenly on Tuesday..she collapsed at home..an ambulance was with her within 8 minutes and the paramedic in the phone talked my dad through cpr..they were all amazing.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I lost my mum in a similar way 18 months ago. The shock is immense.

[Mammyloveswine]

Thank you @shesabitofastrangeone

[doyouwanticewiththat]

So sorry @Mammyloveswine

[verdantverdure]

My neighbour recently had to get her collapsed husband to hospital in a wheelchair borrowed off a local group on Facebook with the help of four neighbours to lift him.

To be British is like being poor and American and dependent on Medicare at the moment.

Until there is a general election and a new party in government we can't rely on any of our public services.

And until we dump Brexit we won't be able to pay for them.

So yes, until sanity is restored. We must all do what we can.

[PastMyBestBeforeDate]

My db had a heart attack recently. Two hours to get an ambulance to him. He's lucky to have survived.

[Streamside]

@Mammyloveswine

My mam died suddenly on Tuesday..she collapsed at home..an ambulance was with her within 8 minutes and the paramedic in the phone talked my dad through cpr..they were all amazing.

That's so sad,please accept my condolences. Obviously everything possible was done for your mum and there must be a little comfort in that.

[MoscowMules]

We've set up a Emergency WhatsApp group for us as friends and families. 3 of the friends don't drive, 2 are single/loan parents. Majority of us have children. Majority of us have cars. 3 of us are first aid trained and can use a defib/epi pens. We've all located the nearest defib to eachother a houses.

It means in an emergency between us all we can cover transport, childcare, bringing items to hospitals, and basically helping whenever however we can.

You wouldn't think in 2023 we'd need to do this.

If we can get eachother to a and e without an ambulance we will. Especially the children.

stretcher wise if needed it will have to be a trip to b and q and fashion a contraption between us and then use one of the 2 estate cars. 🤣

At home we have all stocked up on first aid kits and medicine. Paper stitches 2 fold quantity for those of us with adventurous children!!