P5-4 Publication

The Jogging Incident

The colours of the sky took a drastic change from blue to orange as the clock ticked its way into the evening.

Since it was a beautiful evening, I decided to end my day with a healthy jog at the East Coast Park. Excitedly, I put on my favourite jogging shoes and headed off to the park. When I reached my destination, I could feel the cool sea breeze blowing onto my face. I could tell that it was going to be an enjoyable jog. Motivated by the enthusiastic cyclists and other joggers, I was determined to complete my three kilometre jog. Eager to start, I began. 

While jogging and enjoying the scenery, I realised that I was jogging behind an old man. He was in my way as he was jogging at a slow pace.  I overtook him and turned I turned my head to look at him.  It was then that I realised that he was jogging unsteadily.  He seemed to be panting heavily too. Suddenly, the old man went limp and collapsed. I stopped dead in my track. My hand flew to my mouth and I gasped in horror. I was stunned at the sight of the poor old man lying helpless on the ground.

"Oh no! What has happened to him?" a pang of anxiety ran down my spine. Quickly, I ran forward to check on the old man.

His face was pallid and a colourless mask. I could hear him muttering under his breath, "Help...me...," He clenched tightly onto his chest as he gasped desperately for air. I quickly assured him gently that help was on the way and told him stay calm.

Attracted by the commotion, curious passers-by came crowding around us. One of them even stepped forward to check the old man's pulse rate.  Another man fished out his hand phone and called the ambulance. A kind old lady was frantically fanning the old man with her handkercheif. I was deeply touched to see strangers coming together to help someone in need. Feeling the urgent need to help too, I jumped into action. I told the onlookers to make space, so that the old man could have some fresh air. These actions went on for a few minutes until the ambulance came.

The sirens of the ambulance blared in the distance like a beacon of hope that help was on the way. We heaved a sigh of relief when the ambulance came into sight.

     "Who can tell us what had happened?" one of the paramedics inquired. I immediately volunteered the information. Meanwhile, the other paramedics sprang into action. The paramedics immediately applied first aid onto the old man. When the old man's condition had stabilised, the paramedics put him on the stretcher and off they went to the hospital in the ambulance. I was immensely relieved that the old man was in safe hands at the hospital.

      After the incident, I was very impressed by the paramedics' life-saving skills as they were always calm and steady even in an emergency situation. I was inspired to be a great paramedic myself in the future. 

Dawn Heng, P5-4