South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) paramedics are asking parents to remind their children of what to do in an emergency. 

Six-year-old Henry help to save his mother’s life when he called 999 when she collapsed due to a diabetic episode at home. This dramatic audio can be heard as little Henry tries to get help for his mother by calling the 999 control hub. Single mum Bethany’s condition requires her to have four injections a day since being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 12.  

Bethany had always been concerned what would happen if she had a diabetic episode at home so she has taught Henry what to do in an emergency. “I have always taught Henry how to dial 999 and to tell them that I have diabetes and the ‘Ambulance People’ would understand.” 

Bethany will get a chance to meet the 999 emergency team at Bristol Ambulance station Monday 05 March 2018 in a reunion with her heroic son Henry.  

Heroic Henry will bring his mum Lucozade in the mornings when her blood sugar levels are low and she is feeling too dizzy to walk. She also taught Henry to dial 999, tell the call handler their address and inform them that Bethany has diabetes. 

In early January, Henry had to use what he had learnt when his mum had a diabetic episode. 

Bethany said: “I woke up one morning unable to really move or speak properly. I was having an extreme hypo. I managed to call Henry into my room and point to my Lucozade. He got me a bottle from downstairs and sat with me.”

 “I was unable to drink much as I couldn’t get my body to do what I was telling it. I managed to slide out of bed and army crawl down the stairs, at which point I passed out.” 

“I awoke to Henry sat next to me on the phone, next thing I know, my brother appeared, followed by the paramedics. That boy saved my life”. 

 Jasmine Bale, who works in 999 control as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher says they get special training on how to talk to a child caller. 

“We discussed lots of different ways to handle these types of calls, for example changing the tone of your voice, speaking in a way so that it doesn’t frighten them as the situation they may be in could be quite frightening or worrying for them.” 

“The most important thing to do when speaking with a child caller is to stay on the phone with them, comfort and reassure them and to make sure that they know that what they have done was really brave.” 

Jasmine also mentioned how important it is for parents to teach their children how to call 999 in an emergency. 

“I would encourage other parents to make sure that their children know their address and make them aware of any health problems they may have and to teach their children to give as much information as they can to be able to send an ambulance, just like Henry did.” 

“He was amazing and I’m sure his mum Bethany is very proud.” 

Not only did Henry call for an ambulance, he also contacted his grandmother and explained the situation.