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Just 20 minutes away, the Cairns-based EMQ Rescue helicopter crew prepares the aircraft for the flight to Mareeba. A high percentage of the caseload for the Cairns-based helicopter also involves flying to the inner and outer reefs for marine-related stings, diving accidents and occasional shark bites. Whether they are being called to a snake bite or marine sting, the rescue crews must be prepared for anything. Thursday Island-based Intensive Care Paramedic Ron Sapir recalls an extraordinary story. Ron was on shift when an 18-year-old was brought in from neighbouring Papua New Guinea. International agreements between Australia and PNG offer residents access to health services at neighbouring Saibai Island. From Saibai, patients can be transported to Cairns for treatment at the tertiary facility. “I really thought this guy was going to die,” Ron said. “He had also been treated by traditional methods, meaning he presented with a series of head wounds inflicted by friends to try and drive out the evil poisons that had been injected into him. “It is not uncommon for patients to be struck heavy blows with sharp rocks or shellfish until heavy bleeding occurs. Children as young as two have been airlifted with similar injuries unrelated to the condition reported to the triple zero service.” However, according to Ron, the most extraordinary detail of the case was that the man had been bitten on the foot by a Taipan, walked for several hours, travelled by canoe from PNG to Saibai, waited for transport off the island and then been airlifted to Cairns. In the meantime, he had been treated with three lots of antivenom, and was progressively deteriorating. Clinically his survival seemed highly unlikely, yet a week later, when the helicopter landed with another patient, Ron noticed a young man watching him. “Pretty soon he yelled out to us and said were we the ones who took him off the island. I couldn’t believe my eyes,” Ron said. “He said he was fine and was just waiting to go home. His family didn’t even know where he was.” www.emergency.qld.gov.au EMERGENCY October 2006 1
1 EMERGENCY October 2006 www.emergency.qld.gov.au
Page 1 and 2: Photo by Michael Marston Emergency
Page 3 and 4: From the Minister After the recent
Page 5 and 6: Firefighters from Petrie, Deception
Page 7 and 8: Emergency Management Queensland’s
Page 9 and 10: Photos by Mark Cross Research uncov
Page 11 and 12: Ambulance Week 2006 Ambulance Week
Page 13 and 14: Make-up a serious business for Nick
Page 15: Aero-medical resources critical for
Page 19 and 20: “It is wonderful to have evidence
Page 21 and 22: EMQ managing Aussie generosity afte
Page 23 and 24: New QAS first aid manual launched T
Page 25 and 26: Directive to streamline recruitment
Page 27 and 28: Indigenous PTO course a success Whe
Page 29 and 30: In brief Variety Bash Firefighters
Page 31 and 32: Maroochydore farewells John Hall In
Page 33 and 34: 10 things you didn’t know about
Page 35 and 36: Clinical challenge By Drew Hebbron,
Page 37 and 38: Station Officer Andrew Sturgess and

Photo by Michael Marston - Department of Emergency Services ...

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