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Reflecting on his decades-spanning career, David describes himself as ‘happy’ with what he’s done over his career and believes being there when people are having their worst days as a privilege:

“People need to know there is always someone there to help – without judgement, who will show up regardless of the circumstances. That’s our job as paramedics.”

Making a lifesaving difference

David was one of the team who attended Joanna, a patient who was clinging to life when an accident left her body wedged, motionless, pinned under the front of a car. David was called to support the initial response team due to the serious condition Joanna was in and his specialist RSI qualification and experience.

“I responded to the incident with Kate, our Head of Emergency Ambulance, as there were issues maintaining Joanna’s airway due to the significant upper body injuries she had sustained. Managing her airway was essential to survival and getting her to hospital for further treatment”, David explains.

“When I arrived the initial response team had provided all the immediately lifesaving treatments that were needed. I was on hand to assist with the RSI process to secure her airway, which I was able to do.”

RSI is a critical medical procedure used to secure a patient's airway. It involves the administration of medication to induce unconsciousness then the use of a tube to breathe for the patient. It’s a vital lifesaving treatment that only paramedics with advanced training can undertake; 12 of the frontline paramedic team at Wellington Free Ambulance hold this qualification.

Meeting Joanna

Joanna with some of her team of lifesavers. L-R: Tor, David, Jimmy, Mark, Joanna, and Glen.

Based on what David had seen from Joanna’s injuries (she had been scalped, had multiple fractures including a broken neck and a fractured spine, as well as collapsed lungs, among her other injuries), he left the scene feeling her chances of survival were very low.

“With a head injury of that nature, it was very unlikely she would survive,” David recalls.

He was “blown away” to hear that not only had she survived, but she wanted to meet the team of paramedics responsible for saving her life that day.

Earlier this year Joanna met the team that responded to her accident. It was an emotional and meaningful experience for everyone involved.

David says:

“It can be hard not knowing the outcome for our patients sometimes. Meeting people like Joanna is incredible. Humbling to hear that people do so well after. Knowing that you’ve had an impact in not just their lives, but also their family and friends is a reminder of why we do the work we do.”

David is very clear that this was a team effort, not down to one or two individuals. It was everyone in the team understanding their role and doing it well.

“Meeting Joanna was a reminder of why we all do our very best for patients, to give them the chance of survival by immediate treatment. Everyone deserves a chance and it’s wonderful and inspiring to meet her and see her embracing life. What an incredible lady.”

Even after 25 years of clinical experience David firmly believes that there is always something to learn. Every job is a learning opportunity – for him, Joanna’s is a standout.

As well as frontline work, David is also a mentor and educator to people starting out in their paramedicine career. He’s helping to shape the future paramedics who will continue to serve and support our community.

If you’d like to support our frontline paramedics like David and help us keep saving lives like Joanna’s, please donate online at www.supportwfa.org.nz