A five-year-old girl from Walesby received a bravery award from EMAS at her school today, after she came to her mum’s rescue when she became unconscious.
Little Daisy Hamer, then aged 4, went to bed with mum, 40-year-old Aimee Hamer, after Aimee started to feel unwell. Aimee gave daisy her phone so she could watch YouTube videos, but then ended up having to dial 999 on that same phone, when her mum became unresponsive at 2.01pm on 23 May 2022.
Despite feeling very upset about what was happening, Daisy was able to answer all the questions asked by the Emergency Medical Advisor, and followed all the instructions to ensure her mum got the help she needed until the ambulance crew arrived on scene, including performing CPR when it was confirmed that Aimee had stopped breathing.
What’s further impressive, Daisy even gave the postcode of the address using the phonetic alphabet.
Aimee, who lives with a long-term heart condition, vitamin deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia, struggles on a daily basis with dizziness and extreme tiredness. If the symptoms become too severe, this can lead her to faint.
Because of this, Aimee was keen to teach her four children how to call 999 in an emergency.
Aimee said: “I taught Daisy and my other children the phonetic alphabet by making a rhyme out of our postcode to make it fun and memorable.
“While I’ve had other funny turns previously, the kids were never on their own with me as my husband was there to call 999, but Daisy would always get involved by fetching me a cushion and blanket.
“I always knew there may be the possibility that one day I would faint or become unconscious in front of the kids while my husband was not there, which is why I taught them how to call 999 and not be afraid to do so in an emergency.”
During the 999 call, Aimee stopped breathing momentarily. Daisy tilted Aimee’s head back, as instructed by the Emergency Medical Advisor, to check her airway and with the help of her then two-year-old sister Molly, attempted CPR. This got Aimee breathing again.
Aimee added: “All I remember from that day is going to bed feeling unwell, and the next minute coming around to an ambulance crew, police and one of our neighbours in my bedroom!”
“Daisy is amazing and so grown up for her age.
“After what happened, Daisy has decided that she wants to become either a paramedic or a surgeon when she is older.”
First to arrive on scene from EMAS were ambulance technician Jackie Spate and paramedic Phillip Rowe, followed by solo response paramedic Jenny Paling.
Phillip Rowe said: “To have a child caller that young and that confident is quite rare, especially when it comes to being able to provide the postcode of their address phonetically.
“Daisy did amazingly in being able to help us locate the property and then being able to tell us when we arrived about the medical conditions her mum lives with.
“We administered oxygen to Aimee when we arrived on scene which managed to get her rousable, and then we provided further treatment on the way to hospital.
“Daisy’s actions that day definitely played a role making sure that her mum is able to be safe and well today.”
Jenny Paling added: “It’s been quite an honour to be able to present Daisy with her award today."