When you call for an ambulance these days, chances are the officers inside will save a life. But 40 years ago, 80 per cent of Alan Playford's passengers would either die on the way to the hospital, or on its doorstep. This is how he, and his colleagues, changed the face of paramedicine for the better.

When Alan Playford first joined the New South Wales Ambulance Service in the 1970s, he would drive an ambulance on his own to all sorts of emergencies.

With little equipment, and no support, Alan would simply have to bundle people into the back of the wagon and race to the hospital, where lifesaving machines and skills could give them a chance.

In those early days, 80 per cent of Alan's patients would die either on the way to the hospital or on the doorstep.

Alan and a group of other ambulance officers and doctors knew they could do better and set about modernising paramedicine.

Under the leadership of Dr Bob Wright, they began innovative (and often terrifying) training to save more lives.

Ambulance officers from Newcastle, including Alan, were among the first to be trained in these new "advanced life support" skills.

So by the time the unprecedented Newcastle Earthqauke hit in 1989, Alan used his more than ten years' experience to save lives at the Newcastle Workers Club and on Beaumont Street.

Alan went on to makeover the now beloved Westpac Rescue Helicopter, and took his skills to places like Rwanda and East Timor.

He gained his nickname the 'shit magnet' for his habit of coincidentally being there to help out in emergencies, even when he's not on duty.

Further information

Through the Rubble is written by Alan Playford and Penny Keogh. It is published by Simon & Schuster.

This episode of Conversations was produced by Meggie Morris and presented by Richard Fidler, executive producer is Nicola Harrison.

It explores modern history, medical history, Ambulance Union, paramedics, hospital St Vincents, the Hunter, Norm Duffy, natural disasters, lifesaving innovation, medical innovation, ambos, Australian history, war, Rwanda, genocide, civil war, rescue chopper.

To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

How Alan the 'shit magnet' helped revolutionise Australia's ambulance services

Conversations

How Alan the 'shit magnet' helped revolutionise Australia's ambulance services