296 Sqn / St John Ambulance Film - 12 May 2007


On Saturday 12 May 2007 cadets of 296 Sqn were the stars in a First Aid video filmed at London Bridge Station.

** The accuracy and quality of the First Aid treatment used throughout the day was closely monitored and controlled by senior members of St John Ambulance. **

The film was based on the story that Mr M was leading a set of crack 296 plane spotters to an air display, which required a train journey from London Bridge. During the walk down the platform, we encounter a senior gentleman ('Les') struggling with a large suitcase. As we approach he collapses with a heart attack and a St John trained member of 296 then takes charge of the situation. Another cadet duly telephones for an ambulance and yet another is despatched, with great gusto, to find the station manager. Tragically, Mr M has to take a back seat during the following proceeding as the cadet is thoroughly in charge.

The station manager returns with a rather splendid hi-tech defibrillator that speaks its instructions in a calm but loud and rather scary masculine voice. The pads are applied to Les's chest - who should have received an Oscar for his subsequent "spasm" acting. Lovely.

Our 296 St John trained cadet also applies CPR to our hapless victim closely monitored by the St John expert to ensure no ribs are broken or any permanent internal damage is done to Les. The combined efforts of the ambulance crew, the talking box and, of course, our chest beating 296 cadet save the life of Les - hoorah. We see him being wheeled down the platform on a stretcher to the awaiting ambulance.

In a final scene to complete the epic, we hammed it up on an empty train, conveniently located on the platform. We were allowed to act as if we were finally on our way to the airshow - in a First Class carriage, of course. Splendid.

The day started at 09:30 when the stars and video crew ('Tom') met on the concourse. The station controller at London Bridge was aware of our activities and kindly allowed us to have platform 8 for our exclusive use. After a comprehensive safety brief, make-up was applied (in a somewhat worryingly expert fashion) to Les by Mr P. The make-up gave Les a white pallor , which is common among heart attack victims. Tom now began videoing. It was interesting to watch as our first aid experts demonstrated the techniques to be used and then monitored the usage. A few retakes were required to make sure the treatments were accurate.

We broke for lunch at 12, and Mr M very generously offered to buy Mr P a sumptuous feast at a local dining emporium. Yummy.

Mr M offered to purchase Mr P a beverage to wash down the meal, but Mr P was slightly indelicate in demanding a capuchino rather then the proffered black coffee. With remarkable dignity Mr M managed to control his emotions and remain calm whilst ordering the extravagant capuchino. However, the final beverage was a triumph in liquid refreshment and Mr P drank it with the gusto of a man emerging from the depths of the Sahara with a throat as dry as a budgie's cage. The capuchino increased the final tally to that of an MP's bar bill.

"Bleedin' marvelous" was Mr P's feedback. Classy.