What3Words made a real difference When a strong gust of wind picked up Jeanette Bishop, and her bike, and dumped them unceremoniously down in the middle of Dartmoor, the What3Words app came into its own in helping Devon Air Ambulance pinpoint her remote location

pinpoints the location

Jeanette Bishop from Millbrook near Torpoint has been a keen cyclist all her adult life and regularly clocks up thousands of miles a year through her passion for road cycling and mountain biking. Given her experience, therefore, no one was more surprised than Jeanette herself when a cycling accident on Dartmoor left her needing the services of Devon Air Ambulance.

Jeanette was riding with her friend Peter on a particularly bleak stretch of the moors near Princetown one morning last September when she was caught by an unexpectedly strong gust of wind which picked her and her bike up before dropping them unceremoniously onto the ground. Unfortunately, Jeanette landed on a crop of rocks alongside the track, hitting her head, shoulder and wrist as she fell.

Peter immediately called the emergency services, using the What3Words app to pin-point their location. Devon’s Air Ambulance was soon on its way with the helicopter dispatcher able to off er the vital information from What3Words to help the aircrew fi nd the incident.

Another couple of cyclists stopped to assist and, learning of Jeanette’s misfortune, one explained that they had also had a similar incident further up the track, but were saved by landing on grass – the weather certainly had a lot to answer for that day.

“I was in so much pain,” Jeanette explained. “I knew I’d smashed my shoulder really badly and my wrist. I remember drifting in and out because of the excruciating pain and whilst I could hear everything going on around me, I was unable to respond.”

Landing nearby, aircrew

paramedics Andy Dunne and Paul White were able to off er Jeanette some much needed pain relief at the scene before preparing her for a helicopter fl ight to Derriford Hospital. Jeanette’s memory of that time is very clear. She explained, “my overwhelming memory is that I was in a tunnel, but couldn’t get out. I could hear voices, but couldn’t tell them that I was alive. I thought I was dying. I could see a light in the distance, but felt sure that if I got to the end, I’d be dead.”

Five days later, Jeanette had surgery to repair damage to her shoulder and wrist and spent two weeks in hospital. Speaking to Helipad’s Debbie Gregory twelve weeks after the incident, Jeanette was frustrated about her recovery, saying, “It’s all

taking so much longer than I expected! I’ve always been so fi t and active; I really had expected to be back on my bike by now.”

Jeanette can’t wait to be fully recovered and is keeping her fi tness up with regular training on a turbotrainer at her home as well as rehab exercises. And, along with the turbo she is now walking at least 10,000 steps a day to increase her fi tness. “I’m really grateful for the help I had from Devon Air Ambulance back in September and the support from my husband Rob, along with fellow cycling friends, since I’ve been home. Hopefully, I’ll be back out with my friends at the YOGI Cycling Club in Plymouth when the current lockdown is over and also going mountain biking with my grandson Herb. When circumstances allow, I am also looking forward to meeting Andy and Paul to thank them for their help and kindness”.

Editor’s Note

Download the What3Words app

today to ensure emergency crews can fi nd you in the event of an accident or incident, even in remote rural locations.

DOWNLOAD THE APP HERE

Wet Rooms ● Walk-in Baths ● Wash & Dry Toilets Seated Showering ● Level Access ● Grab Rails Raised Toilets ● Adapted Taps ● Accessible Ovens Rise & Fall Hobs Worktops & Cupboards

Open Mon - Fri: 7.30am - 5pm Sat: 8am -12pm

RGC Collingwood Road Dartmouth TQ6 9JY t: 01803 834622 E: info@rgcinspirations.co.uk

rgcinspirations.co.uk

Advertise your products or services in Helipad magazine

Helipad is our highly popular charity supporters’ magazine and a vital part of our fundraising and communication strategy.

With 45,000 copies printed, Helipad is the largest circulated home- mailed countywide glossy magazine distributed exclusively within Devon, making it a fantastic marketing tool for Devon based businesses. Our supporter pro le is 75% female, average age is 55 years, ABC1 with very healthy disposable income. Helipad is published 3 times a year and o ers fantastic value and reach within engaged Devon households.

Kents Cavern Journey through time Critical Care CarsA new level of support

Hedgehog Home Make your garden a haven Armchair TwitcherBirdwatching in your garden the offi cial magazine of DEVON AIR AMBULANCE

spring 2020 | www.daat.org Taking risks in art and architecture INSPIRING ILFRACOMBE

spring 2019 | www.daat.org |

Coronavirus Update from our CEO

What could you do to save a life? Our Fantastic Fundraisers Come with us on a walking tour of Tudor Exeter a walking tour of

the offi cial magazine of DAA Aviators Meet our newest pilots Jerry Collins Barnstaple All Black DEVON AIR AMBULANCE

Aviator’s Anecdotes

30 years fl ying for the Emergency Services

FREE MAGAZINE

Find out more about: Our Service Our Patients Our Fundraisers& Your Beautiful County! Inspiring stories of patient survival

FREE MAGAZINE

Find out more about:Our Service Our Patients Our Fundraisers& Your Beautiful County!

Inspiring Stories Patient Liaison Clinicians Off ering Ongoing Support NEW the small town with a big personality NORTH TAWTON LOTTERY Join Our Weekly of patient recovery TT Join Our WeeklyLOTTERYSee inside of Torbay SHIPWRECKS

Our Fantastic Fundraisers! Meet

See insideDevon Air Ambulance’s very own Community Magazine Community MagazineDevon Air Ambulance’s very own Community Magazine Community Magazine

Prize Crossword Win a Darts Farm Hamper Join Our WeeklyLOTTERY

Fundraising Our Super Supporters

the offi cial magazine of DEVON AIR AMBULANCE

winter 2020 | www.daat.org

Money Matters adapting to challenging times

OUR SHOPS Go Online! Inspiring Patient Stories

SPOTLIGHT ON TORBAY landing sites AS YOUR NEW AIR AMBULANCE GOES INTO OPERATION Great news for Devon

Next issue details: Summer 2021

Publication: 30 July • Ad copy Deadline: 14 July • Loose Insert: 21 July

For more information or to book contact: Jay Cooper (Advertising Manager) jay@square7media.co.uk 020 3283 4055

3 More London Riverside, 1st Floor, London SE1 2RE media guide

The : life-saving wristband

Comprehensive protection in your home, garden & beyond.

How would you get help if you couldn ’t make a phone call? The ® gives you peace of mind

SOS SOS Alerts – easy activation for sudden pain, shortness of breath, security concern, etc.

Fall Alerts – for severe falls when the wearer is unable to move or unconscious.

Checks * The easy way to confirm you are up in the morning and OK before bed.

Comfortable and simple to use, the Assure® is waterproof and does not need charging so you get uninterupted protection for a full year.

To order or find out more call: 0345 25 75 080 or visit www.acticheck.com

UK m manufactured witw h customer sers vice f from our offices near CaC mbridge.

Calls to family & friends with optional call response centre

Customer reviews

“This is an excellent item and does what most other alarms do not do. It is easy to use and gives peace of mind to me and my Responders -family and friends. I would highly recommend it.

“GoAnywhere” smartphone app included for free.

From under £2.50/week