Suffering from asthma and a chronic lung condition, 55-year-old Andrew is distressed, overheating and struggling to breathe or talk. Exeter paramedics Connor Gilronan and Charlotte Sherston give him medication and oxygen, and remind him to stay cool and hydrated.
This is a typical callout for the ambulance crew in South West England, who in one of Britain’s longest-lasting heatwaves, are tending to cases from heat exhaustion to stroke patients. The BBC joined them on one of their shifts.
Once Andrew’s medication kicks in, his breathing eases and the paramedics decide he is safe to stay at home.
Major emergencies are rare for ambulance services, whose visits are largely spent caring for the elderly or those with chronic health conditions, the paramedics told the BBC.
Both Charlotte and Connor were also on shift in the record-breaking heat last month and say the health risks of heatwaves are often misunderstood.
