Deon Struwig

Izimvo has the great honour of introducing a true hero, Deon Struwig.

Deon, a paramedic for over 8 years, recently left the profession for the corporate world. He and his fiance, Samantha, were in the news back in July for getting engaged at the Netcare 911 Virginia Airport base. The couple met in 2008 while attending to the accident scene of a farm worker who was severely injured while using a sugarcane cutting machine.

Deon and Samantha plan to get married in early 2010.

Deon in the News: Accident ignites a romance – IOL
Location: Durban

Deon was kind enough to answer the following questions for us:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: Most of the time there is no need for introduction, I am normally the one doing the introductions, my name is Deon, many know me as Noei (pronounced no-ee). 26 years of age and up until a month ago have been an intermediate paramedic for the last 8 years.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: I cried in Charlotte’s Web… Seriously… A very sad movie…

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: Switching on the iPod, fastening my running shoes and having an afternoon training session at the gym. Heart pounding, Adrenalin flowing, and the days stresses seems to disappear and if this does not work, there is nothing an ice-cold Miller can’t fix.

Q: How would you describe your dream home and where in South Africa would you like it to be?

A: A cozy 3-4 bedroom house situated on the beach front, near the Wild Coast with my own vineyard and pool in the back garden. The gardens must be spacious to allow for the kids to be able to run free like animals without breaking anything. I have always loved the idea of a modern farmstyle house.

This question was proudly sponsored by Private Property

Being a Paramedic in South Africa

Q: You recently left a long career as a senior paramedic to join the corporate world, can you tell us why?

A: Although the fast paced lifestyle of a paramedic seems appealing and has its moments, the late shifts, long hours, little to no family time catches up with one. I needed to make big adjustments to office hours, but have started enjoying weekends off and a full nights sleep in a warm bed.

Q: What are the things you miss most about being a paramedic?

A: I really miss the camaraderie between the guys, the urgency of making spontaneous emergencies between life or death and the feeling of helping someone in their greatest time of need.

Q: What advice would you give anyone wanting to become a paramedic?

A: It’s an ever-changing environment where each shifts yields new challenges and crucial decisions need to be made. It’s a very challenging career that can be demanding, but nevertheless is fulfilling. This is not a career that just any person can walk into, it takes a nerves of steel and a calm approach to an emergency situation.

Q: As a paramedic, you’ve experienced things most others could not even imagine. What are some of the more memorable moments that standout from your career?

A: Some years ago, I attended a multiple vehicle accident on the N2 near Paddock where several vehicles travelling in convoy landed up colliding into the first vehicle after it had lost control. Most of the injured had been seen to by other attending paramedics and after clearing up the scene, walking back to my ambulance to leave with my one patient that was being attended to by my crew mate, I heard a faint moaning coming from some nearby bushes. On inspection I found an unconscious 3 years old girl who had been ejected from one of the vehicles. I immediately started full life support on her as her injuries were severe. We transported her to the nearest hospital only to be told that her injuries were fatal and she had suffered significant brain damage and was unable to maintain her own body functions. They recommended that all life support be stopped, however my crew and I did not agree and took it upon ourselves to arrange with a specialist facility in Durban to be on standby for us. We raced through to Durban proceeding to administer the critical life support to the quickly deteriorating little girl. Upon our arrival a specialist team was awaiting and took over the treatment of this brave little girl. All we knew was that she was being rushed to theatre. We returned to Margate praying that the little girl made it through the next 24 hours.

About 6 months passed and I was sitting outside our offices when a man approached me with a beautiful little girl holding his hand. His eyes filled with tears and he was barely able to pronounce any words. I realised that beautiful little girl was the same little girl that we refused to give up on all those months ago. The only words that the father managed to say was “thank you, for not giving up on her”. I stood there for a moment with them with tears in my eyes.

It is seldom that patients come back to thank us. This event will forever live on in my memory as a paramedic.

Q: If you could offer one piece of advice to families regarding safety at home, what would it be?

A: Seatbelts and car chairs were designed to keep our precious children safe in the event of an accident. Regardless if your children are miserable and do not want to sit with their belts on, it is imperative that we as parents enforce this.

Q: Can you tell us about some of the stuff you got up to while waiting for your next call?

A: I am only going to mention 3 things… Wheelchairs, trolleys and hypodermic needle guns. All 3 of these were our own form of Jackass – the Movie and landed up with us having to treat one another for injuries incurred, not advisable but loads of fun!

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: Yes, every South African is affected by crime. Every country has crime, but it is up to us as individuals to stand together against crime and make South Africa a better place for our children.

Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?

A: No, South Africa is my home. I bleed green and gold.

Q: If you had the opportunity to sit down with the president, what advice would you offer him?

A: I would say “Mr President, I think that you and your advisors should look into the reasons why so many health care professionals are leaving for abroad and rectify these problems. South Africa produces the best paramedics, nurses and doctors in the world for sure”.

Q: To which three attractions would you first take an international visitor?

A: Table mountain, Mossel bay and surrounding areas and Kruger National Park.

Life in Durban

Q: As a father, which venues in or around Durban would be on your shortlist for day trips during the Christmas holidays?

A: uShaka if it is a hot sunny day and Gateway Theatre of Shopping if it is raining as there is so much for the kids to do there from the Wavehouse to movies.

Q: Favorite restaurant for a romantic dinner?

A: Spur, that is as far as we have ventured as of yet.

Q: What do you most enjoy doing on those hot Durban summer afternoons?

A: Ice cold sundowner or taking a walk on the Umhlanga promenade.

General

Q: If money was not a concern, which South African destination would you most want spend your upcoming honeymoon at?

A: A trip down the coast to do the Garden route, stopping off at all the local attractions on the way.

Q: If you were able to pick anyone as your mentor, who would it be and why?

A: My dad! I have always admired how he was able to maintain a perfect balance between work and family life. He always had enough time for his family regardless of the time of day.

Q: One book that you would make required reading for all matric pupils?

A: I definitely think some First Aid manuals would be a good start, especially when their “Matric Holiday Time” approaches.

Q: Favorite South African band? Have you seen them live?

Q: Prime Circle, I have seen them live and they were spectacular.

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo?

A: Julius Malema, no just kidding! Um, Victor Matfield.

We’d like to thank Deon for taking the time to answer our questions and wish him every success with his new career and marriage. It is not everyday that you get to meet a true hero.