Vocal Voices

Walking back through town there was a chap in front of me pushing a wheelchair with another man in it, and walking next to him was an old man, white haired who suddenly dropped to the pavement like a stone. I rushed up as the man who had been pushing put him into the recovery position and asked if they would like me to call an ambulance "Yes please" so I did.

As I was giving directions over the phone one of those community police officers came up and said "Oh you know, you've got ****** ***** there, he's a drunk" rolling her eyes at me as though I was somehow in the wrong for calling an ambulance As if I would know the man from Adam! All I saw was an elderly man obviously in trouble. So I passed my mobile to her and let her deal with the call, then took my phone back and went on my way. Not a word from the officer acknowledging that I'd been trying to help.... At least the guy who'd been pushing the wheelchair said thanks as I was leaving..............

God this city is becoming a rough place!

I can almost understand why people walk on by these days, in a way, as you get no thanks for it whatsoever, just treated like a busybody nuisance

I'd be making a complaint about that community officer to be honest - she surely could have been far more tactful and for all she knew, he might have had a heart attack in which case, drunk or not, he was entitled to an ambulance.

I can't remember her number Osc and TBH I can't be bothered with the hassle It's not that I wanted thanks, I was just doing what any decent person would do, but how depressing that this is so 'normal' to be met with indifference and shrugged shoulders

This city gets me down sometimes................

Oh Kaz Well, thank goodness for your response, because it sounds as if most people would have just walked by! Drunk or sober, this man need help. Well done you and shame on the community police officer

Well done you xx

There was a guy, similar ish situation a long time ago, in Yate. The same thing happened, I rang the ambulance, but the people in the shop near where he collapsed told me not to bother, as "he's always pxxxed"

Turned out he had a heart attack - so when I found out a week or so later, I went into the shop and told them.

Red faces all round.

Didn't help me or him, but maybe made them think of what they would do next time.

Thanks Loz, I think most would have walked past, if the response in my other post today is anything to go on I just couldn't do that

Ton good for you, exactly right - what a heartless world we live in..............

Kaz of course you did the right thing, blimey, she presumably thinks he somehow didn't matter regardless of what had happened to him!
(((x)))

You did exactly the right thing Kaz, what a shame the community officer wasn't more tactful It's being met by that kind of attitude of those in authority that could put people off helping if the need arose in the future.

I bet it left you feeling a bit shaken

I felt sad really, rather than shaken - As you say Jo it could easily put people off from helping, and Di yes it was as though he wasn't worth the trouble

Kaz, ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) then, so long as there were no signs of neck or spinal damage, into the recovery position. It is what I was taught and what I would have done. OK, I might have detected the drink because of that, but so what? A collapse, even because of drink, is a serious matter not to be ignored.

The PCSO, even with her previous knowledge of the person's history, needs a good talking to, imo. Her empathy and with those in a given situation, and general attitude, are somewhat lacking.