Day 22 – The Storm & the Snake Bite

Transcript of Day 22 – The Storm & the Snake Bite

Day 22 – The Storm & the Snake Bite

Doctor Kate Evans glanced out at the horizon. The sun was setting over the vast Western Australian outback, casting a golden hue over the rugged landscape. The sky was a brilliant tapestry of oranges, pinks, and purples, fading into the deep blue of the impending night. The red dirt below seemed to glow under the dying light, and the silhouettes of sparse eucalyptus trees dotted the horizon. A warm breeze carried the faint scent of wildflowers, and the distant chirping of crickets began to fill the air(1). Little did Kate know it was the calm before the storm(2).

"We’ve got another call," Kate said, turning to Pilot Sam Reynolds, who was performing a final check on their plane, a Beechcraft King Air. The aircraft, gleaming under the sunset, stood ready to spring into action(3).

"Sharon’s on the blower(4) and says there’s a bloke in Kumarina in hot water(5). He’s been tagged by a snake."

Sam looked up, his face set with determination. "Alright, let's get a wriggle on(6)," he replied, his voice steady. He quickly finished his pre-flight inspection, ensuring that everything was in perfect working order(7). The urgency of the situation hung in the air(8), mingling with the serene beauty of the outback evening.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service base was a hub of activity(9), with the ground crew bustling around(10), loading supplies and preparing for the mission. The familiar hum of the aircraft engines mixed with the distant calls of wildlife, creating a unique symphony of urgency and nature.

Kate gathered her medical equipment, her mind already running through the steps(11) they would need to take to stabilise the patient. The outback could be unforgiving, and every second counted(12). She felt the weight of responsibility but was also reassured by the expertise and readiness of her crack team(13).

As they boarded the aircraft, the sun dipped below the horizon, and the first stars began to twinkle in the night sky. They were ready to face whatever challenges(14) the night would bring, driven by their mission to save lives in the most remote corners of Australia.

"Time is of the essence(15)," Kate thought, as they took off, the aircraft's engines roaring to life(16). They were flying by the seat of their pants(17), but she trusted Sam to keep a steady hand(18) on the controls. The night was pitch black(19), but their resolve was set in stone(20).

They knew they were in the same boat(21), in it together, and come hell or high water(22), they would get the job done. It was going to be a long night, but Kate was raring to go(23), knowing that sometimes, in the outback, you had to go the extra mile(24) to weather any storm(25) that might come your way.

Mid-flight, the radio crackled. "We've got a new update," the dispatcher informed them. "Another patient, a young boy, has been injured in a fall. Today’s going to be a wild ride(26) I reckon."

Sam sighed. " Fair suck of the sauce bottle(27), ey? When it rains, it pours(28). When will we catch a break29?"

As they approached the landing site, it was blowing a gale(30) and strong winds rocked the aircraft, making the descent difficult. The narrow strip of highway they were aiming for seemed almost impossible to land on.

“Steady as she goes.” Sam said to himself as he white-knuckled(31) the controls. The tension was palpable. He didn’t have many landings like this under his belt(32) and felt like he was literally and figuratively flying by the seat of his pants(33).

They landed with a jolt and rolled to a stop on the highway just in front of where the patients had already been brought to wait for help. The team quickly exited the plane and jumped into action(34) as they rushed over to the first patient, Ben. He was the snake bite victim. Kate worked meticulously, her hands as steady as a rock(35) despite the pressure.

"Sam, have a look see inside the bag and grab me the anti-venom, please.", Kate said calmly.

Sam nodded and found a vial. "Here you go. This should do the trick(36)."

Kate filled a syringe with the anti-venom and injected Ben. “Don’t worry, Ben. This’ll have you right as rain(37) quick as a flash(38), mate.” she said reassuringly.

As they stabilised Ben, the young boy with the fall injury was brought over. He had a deep gash on his leg and was losing blood fast.

"It’s touch and go(39)," Sam muttered, starting the initial assessment.

"Hang in there(40), mate," said Kate. "We’ll do everything we can."

Just as Kate was placing a torniquet on the young boy’s leg, the lights in their portable medical unit flickered and went out. "What now?" Kate exclaimed, her voice edged with frustration.

"The generator’s down," Sam said, grabbing a flashlight. "We’re going to have to work in the dark."

“Far out!” Kate said with frustration. “Murphy’s law(41), huh? ‘Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong’. I don’t know if I can work in these conditions, Sam.”

“Just take a deep breath.” Sam said as he put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Don’t sell yourself short(42). These people are counting on us. We’ve got this(43)!”

Sam rigged a makeshift light source using a flashlight and a mirror he found in the plane. It allowed Kate to see just enough to continue her work. The moments dragged on, each second feeling like an eternity. Everyone was sweating bullets(44) as they worked away in silence. It was so quiet as they worked you could hear a pin drop(45). Then radio crackled to life again.

“Come in, Sam & Kate”. The voice called out over the radio. "There’s a storm brewing(46), and you guys are in the line of fire(47)," the dispatcher warned. "You need to make tracks(48) and evacuate as soon as possible."

"Sam. Tell them we’re almost done and on our way," Kate said, her voice calm but firm. "We can’t leave until both patients are stable and out of the woods(49).”

Finally, the anti-venom began to work, and Ben’s breathing stabilised. The young boy’s bleeding was under control(50) too, and he was ready for transport. Kate and Sam moved quickly, loading the patients onto stretchers and into the aircraft. The storm was bearing down on them, and they knew they had to get the hell out of Dodge(51) quick smart(52).

As they took off, the storm clouds loomed ominously on the horizon. Lightning flashed, and turbulence rocked the small plane. Kate held onto the armrest for dear life(53), her knuckles white.

"Sam, you got this?" she asked, her voice barely audible over the roar of the storm. “I need to have a breather(54).”

"Don’t worry, Kate. I’m flying us home as fast as I can.” He replied. “You can kick back and relax now(55) in the cabin and keep an eye on the patients(56)."

The aircraft shook violently, but Sam’s expert piloting kept them on course(57). It felt like they were riding a roller coaster(58). After what felt like an eternity, the storm began to subside, and they approached the hospital.

Finally, both patients were safely admitted to the hospital and received the care they needed for a full recovery. Kate and Sam shared a weary smile as they watched the medical team take over. Everyone was safe and sound(59) and they were in the clear(60).

"Not bad for a day’s work," Sam said. "But, honestly, I could use a cup of tea, a Bex and a good lie down(61)."

“You can say that again(62)!” Kate laughed. "Last but not least(63), though, let’s fly back to base and make sure the plane is all systems go(64) for tomorrow’s shift. God only knows(65) what’s awaiting us.”

As they flew back to base, Kate looked out at the stars, feeling a sense of peace. Despite the challenges, she knew they were making a difference(66). And that was enough.