How a Gloucestershire paramedic is coping with hotter summers and the challenges of overheating
Andy West talks to us about how the ambulance service are managing heatwaves and preparing for hotter summers.
Listen to Andy’s story:
We went for a walk in Stroud with Andy West. He’s been a paramedic for the South Western Ambulance Service in Gloucestershire for 21 years, and he’s currently a clinical trainer for paramedics and emergency care assistants, so he sees the impacts of changes in weather are having locally. We talked about the affects of overheating on emergency healthcare, and his fears about the future of public health. Like many people we speak with, he’s concerned about what impact climate change will have on his children.
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“Poor health, poor planet. I see it. I’ve got three children, one of whom is very anxious about the planet. I spend a big proportion of my time having conversations with him saying it’s going to be okay...I have to believe in hope otherwise I think I would become despondent...I see the small changes we’re making in local communities...Change creates change. If I see something is happening on my doorstep I’m more likely to get on board with that.”
“I worry about the health of myself and my family in terms of increases in vector-borne diseases, water quality levels and air pollution. On hot sunny days where there is no wind and the environment is very still, the air pollution increases, so there are all the respiratory illnesses to worry about. I worry about the cost of living and food production. If our farmers can’t grow the crops, we’ll have poor yields due to drought or flooding and that will increase costs.”
“Today the air-quality index is really high, and there is a correlation between poor air quality and lung-related illness. Why is the air quality so bad today? Because so many cars are driven on this particular stretch of road, or [maybe] you live close to an industrial area. That gives you a choice to make some decisions to try and reduce that.”
“In the case of someone who’s fainted due to heat, you need to recognise that and start to cool them rapidly. If it’s uncorrected it could lead to things like heatstroke and organ dysfunction and that’s a life-threatening position.”
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Stories From Round Our Way. Everyday conversations with people impacted by climate change.