CFR x2

CFR 1

He was just on his way to work, this Community First Responder. He couldn't keep going, not when he can see the cyclist lying there, his bike a tangled wreck beside him. Sure, this isn't what he would normally deal with; cardiac arrests are his usual callout. But he'll be able to do something, before the ambulance arrives.

He stops his car and jumps out. His car is protecting him and the casualty, so that's sorted. He bends down to assess the chap, and realises that this one is a bad one. He is not moving, has no pulse and is not breathing. He quickly checks to make sure that an ambulance is on the way, and then proceeds to make use of the bystanders who have also stopped, getting a team together to turn him carefully onto his back, still keeping the spine immobilised, before starting chest compressions and breathing for him.

A few minutes later, the ambulance arrives, and he stands, to make way for the experts. They know a useful resource when they see one, however, and he continues with CPR, while the crew get their lines and monitors attached.

A few minutes after that, the BASICS doctor arrives. Once again, the CFR feels the need to move out of the way, and, once again, is encouraged to continue helping. He works around the "experts" as the patient is intubated, as the chest wall is incised, to ensure that there is no collapsed lung. And all the while, the patient receives expert CPR.

"Hello, I'm a Consultant Anaesthetist, can I help?" A curt "No thanks" sends him away, as the team of five men and women struggle in vain to save the young man's life.

A little later, and the team debrief at the side of the road, the shrouded body of the cyclist a silent reminder of what, this time, had been the result of their endeavours. Once again, the CFR tries to walk away, to leave the experts to their debrief, and, once agin, he is pulled back. The team is incomplete without him.

Debrief over, handshakes all round, he gets into his car and drives to work.

...to be continued...