An elderly lady who gave no sign of life at the weekly market in Kontich this afternoon has been resuscitated by cameraman Stijn De Smet (36). He was working in the area with a team from VTM news. “Bystanders watched helplessly,” says Stijn.
The VTM team had gone to Kontich to make a sunny news item about the new event ‘Condacum Vivit’ by Vzw Den Historie. That is an encampment with knights and Vikings on a meadow next to the E19. The participants bring the Middle Ages back to life. Cameraman Stijn De Smet and journalist Marieke Lust went during the lunch break. something to eat in the center of Kontich. There the weekly market came to an end.
Emergency services
A commotion arose on the terrace of brasserie Fortuin on Gemeenteplein. Some people who were sitting at the table with an elderly lady became worried. The lady who was alone and had been pushed to the table with other people because of the crowds, gave no sign of life anymore. Someone took her pulse but felt no pulse. The emergency services were then called. The calltaker of the 112 service insisted that someone should start CPR on the lady.
Everyone looked at each other on the terrace. What now? No one knew how to perform CPR
Stijn
Stijn De Smet: “Everyone looked at each other on the terrace. What now? No one knew how to perform CPR. A policeman who was standing nearby was called in but he could not help either. Then I offered myself because I followed trauma training for journalists. That is useful to be able to work in a war zone such as Ukraine. Part of that training consists of a first aid course.”
Massage
The elderly lady was stretched out on the terrace so that Stijn could start the heart massage. After a few minutes, the woman began to breathe again and said she felt pain. The ambulance then took over from Stijn and took the elderly lady to the hospital. There is no further information about her condition.
Stijn De Smet: “Fortunately, I had recently had a refresher of the first aid course. The technique of chest compressions was still quite fresh in my memory. I was struck by how helpless people react when faced with someone in need. Take a first aid course, you never know when you might need it.”
LOOK ALSO. Stijn De Smet is also a war reporter and regularly accompanies Robin Ramaekers with his camera
White March for Alyas and children Joshua and Lorina: “He will forever be my superhero” (+)
THE CONCIERGE OF… Home Vermeylen, home of 460 students: “That resident with only a towel for his ‘game’, we called the ambulance for that” (+)
Thibaut (6) is back home after a life-threatening snake bite in Croatia: “Had the poison reached his heart, it would have been fatal” (+)
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and don’t miss a thing of the stars.
Yes, I want free unlimited access
2023-08-12 15:41:42
#Cameraman #save #life #elderly #lady #café #terrace #proves #important #aid
