For all the mathematical and scientific calculations upon which a lot of day to day activities are based, and by which predictions are made (with crazy accuracy), a great deal of happenings in life is pure chance: being in the right place, at the right time.
Randomness is a not-understood but accepted dynamic in the operations of the universe that makes things both exciting and overwhelming.
Lola's lifeless form was driving Ishaku out of his mind. Thoughts were torpedoing into each other at the speed of light in his head. He managed to dial 112 to report the emergency.
Unlike him, Lola's neighbour was calm. Once they found no pulse, he checked if she was breathing. He started performing CPR.
Placing his hands on her sternum, he began to pump: One, Two, Three, Four...
Less than 24 hours earlier, he'd concluded a four-day training on First Aid organized by his company. The last subject treated was Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). He was not meant to be in the class but was drafted in at the last minute when someone dropped out.
At the time, he'd wondered how the training was going to benefit a rigger. He was more likely to receive First Aid than give it. He'd paid attention anyway.
... Seventeen, Eighteen, Nineteen, Twenty... This was the third round and her heart was yet to pick up.
He executed the thirtieth compression and carried out artificial ventilation. In the same fluid, unbroken motion, he resumed chest compressions while transferring his body's weight to the other knee. Ten, Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen...
The wail of a siren rent the air; first from afar, then closer.
The medics thanked Rex for keeping her brain functions up. It was of immeasurable value, what he did.
They lifted her onto a stretcher and into the ambulance. While in transit, they got to work. By the time the ambulance reached the hospital, they'd coerced the heart back to action.
The first order of business at the hospital was to detoxify her system.
The team had just successfully completed the flushing process when the heart monitor beeped then flat-lined.
Photo credit: accountingweekly.com
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