Paramedic pays visit to Prestatyn primary pupils

Primary school pupils were given a special insight into the life of an ambulance paramedic and the ‘special’ tools used to help patients every day.

Ysgol Clawdd Offa welcomed the Welsh Ambulance Service into the school for a day to help children understand the service and the help it can provide them and their family if ever needed.

The Welsh Ambulance Service is working to encourage children to be aware of the right way to call 999 and also not to be afraid of a visit by an ambulance crew as their goal is to help each patient they see.

Leading the visit was Rhyl Ambulance Station paramedic , Dermot O’ Leary. Throughout the day Dermot chatted to each class year about his job role, demonstrated equipment used by paramedics and introduced the all important….yellow banana.

“It’s how I always introduce myself to the younger classes,” Dermot explained, “I tell them ‘do you know I drive a big yellow flying banana when going to a 999 call?’”

“They always want to know my answer. I drive a big flying banana as it flies along at speed going nana nana! On a serious level, it’s about making them feel more comfortable in front of a paramedic  if they ever have to call on our help,” said Dermot.

“It’s so important from an earlier age that children know what our role is and how we can help them and importantly how they can help us as well. Today has been about explaining that we are here to help and care for them, they don’t have to be frightened of us and what we do.”

Dermot added:  “It’s been a privilege to meet all the Ysgol Clawdd Offa pupils and actually hear how much they already know about the right way to call us for help. I even think I might have met a few paramedics of the future after seeing such enthusiasm for my visit.”