Everything’s Gonna Be Alright

It was a late finish.  Again.  And as my student and I slowly headed back to station very little words were spoken.  There was a numbness in the air that seemed to choke any delight that would normally be taken in witnessing such a beautiful sunrise over the city.

As we rounded a corner the blinding golden light of the climbing sun spread across us like a wave of warm tropical surf.  Turning on the radio to break the awkward silence, Bob Marley’s song, “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” sprung into life.

And, as the dawning of the new day poured its beginnings across the waking city I reflected painfully on the job we’d just done . . .

Picture courtesy of http://www.puretravel.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/London-City-awakes-to-a-stunning-sunrise-at-dawn.jpg Continue reading

PEP – Post Exposure Prophylaxis

My breathing quickened and shallowed.  I was aware that I was becoming sweaty and that my arms and legs were feeling like lead weights.  Tingles began to creep from the ends of my fingers through my hands and slowly up my arms.

Slumping further into the chair, I desperately tried to keep my head up but waves of nausea began to take control.

“You sure you’re alright Binder?  You really don’t look well you know.  I think we should get you to lie down”

“I’m fine . . . honest . . . ” I lied.

And before I could give myself in to a good old fashioned fainting, the HART* guys picked me up and ‘assisted’ me to the mess room sofa where I lay for the next half hour slowly recovering.

An hour after taking my first round of Post Exposure Prophylaxis medicine and I was reduced to a gibbering wreck whereby my “life” had just been saved by HART.  Oh, the humanity.

Pic courtesy of @LAS_HART

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Catching a Break

Do you ever look at some folk and wonder how they do it?  How they get positive recognition for something done over the rest of us.  How they always seem to be in the right place at the right time?  Like, there really is an element of genetic luck to peoples’ success?

And does anyone then wonder bitterly (like me) why it is they don’t!?  I mean, if ever there was the opposite to the hero type mentioned above, then I am certainly it.  I am the man with the anti-Midas touch.  Murphy’s Law incarnate.  An anti-hero at best.

Three examples immediately come to mind for this, some I have “touched” upon on previous posts.  The last of which happened not too long ago and completely sums up my whole existence.

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Update – at long last!

Yes!

It has been a while.   A looong while.  And yes, there are good explanations to the lack of entries.  And explanations you will get, along with great stories/anecdotes/twists of truths/and downright lies.  But the main thing is, I have moved.  I am no longer in the LAS.  I have now moved somewhere up North.  Don’t worry, I’ll write about it soon.  But as you can probably imagine, it’s been hectic.

For now, stand by on the next entry as I begin to write it . . . . it’s a long one, but will do for a re-starter/re-boot to the blog.

I have dozens and dozens of blogs to write still of the times in London so they’re not going to stop.  And now I’ll have the new “up-north” ones too.  So, stand by . . .

Binder

PS Apologies but thanks for the patience

“Urgent police please” – a Section 136

We have a coded phrase in the LAS, that when spoken on priority or on open mic, will alert whoever is listening that urgent police are required and needed on the hurry up!  It’s used so that attackers don’t obviously know you are calling for help.  Unfortunately, not everyone in the LAS knows about this.
Just so there is continued secrecy to that phrase I have used the phrase, VECTOR VECTOR instead . . . as it’s equally as stupid as the real one.

As the woman sat on the floor screaming, the two men set about beating her again.  This time, I acted instinctively – I’d had enough.  And, rushing forward I placed myself between the screaming woman and the two men.

“Get back!”  I pushed them back a step or two and pressed priority on my radio – nothing.

The two men charged at the same time, one brandishing a walking crutch above his head as if to strike.  This time, with instinct, I open-hand pushed both men away in their faces, pushing one to the floor.

“Get BACK!!!” I shouted and again pressed priority on my radio – nothing again!

I was now consciously aware of the ludicrousness of the situation.  Here I was, maintaining a heroic side ward stance, one hand outstretched to the two men stood, poised ready to pounce either side of me.  Whilst my other hand was outstretched to the woman sat cowering behind me on the floor.  Some might of suggested this was the epitome of chivalry and heroism, like a Mexican standoff . . . but really, this was nothing more than a ridiculous end to a pathetic situation which I really wish I’d never been sent to in the first place!

Mexican standoff - LAS style Continue reading

Teaching an old dog new tricks . . .


Over the police radio we could hear carnage and mayhem.  Someone, somewhere, was being stabbed.  Multiple times.  And it was happening right now.

Over the top of police shouting for urgent assistance, were the screams of anguish, pain and despair.

As I buckled up, I nodded at Terry*, who was in the driver’s seat, “Right!  Terry, ready?  Let’s go!”.

Terry was brand new to our Unit and tonight was his first ever JRU shift.  Terry nodded back and started the engine! . . .

pic courtesy of @GingerMedic999 Continue reading