Essex & Herts Air Ambulance is encouraging people to take care this summer as data shows an increase in missions over July and August last year.

Last year saw a 7% increase in missions over July and August compared to the previous month and a 19% increase in younger men (20-39) being treated.

According to Essex & Herts Air Ambulance consultant Naomi Pritchard, it’s sadly not unusual for the charity to see an increase in incidents like drowning, fractures and burns as more people take to the outdoors.

As the heatwave beckons former patient, Paul Coughlan (41, Thurrock) is supporting the charity’s call for caution. This time two years ago Paul and his family had been enjoying the sunshine with a BBQ. Someone had inadvertently stored the blowtorch they’d use to light the charcoal underneath the BBQ. It exploded leaving Paul with significant burns down both his legs and his left arm.

Due to Paul’s quick thinking, he was already cooling the burns when the team arrived and had asked his family to keep the hosepipe on him. The crew was able to provide pain relief and took Paul directly to the specialist burns unit at Broomfield Hospital.  Luckily Paul was able to make a full recovery but only after multiple procedures, including a skin graft, and two weeks in hospital.

The charity is pointing to Essex & County Fire & Rescue Service advice for anyone firing up the BBQ which includes storing any gas cylinders outside, away from direct heat, sunlight and frost.

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance consultant Dr Naomi Pritchard said: “The nature of our work in pre-hospital emergency care is that we can’t predict it but there can be patterns in the type of incident we see, and when we see them. We don’t want anyone to stop having fun this summer, but we would ask people to think about how they stay safe, particularly when they’re doing things they wouldn’t normally do, like swimming outside”.

Paul Coughlan said: “I know I was really lucky – without the quick arrival of the air ambulance team and the decision to take me to Broomfield, I may not have made the full recovery I did. It was just supposed to be a fun family day and it all changed so quickly. I clearly would never say don’t BBQ but do make sure you’re careful and act quickly if anything does go wrong. Always have a bucket of water handy or a hose nearby.

“It’s also so important as a community that we support our local air ambulance. To find out more or to donate, please visit ehaat.org”