More life-savers needed for first-responder scheme (From The Advertiser Series)

More life-savers needed for first-responder scheme

1:06pm Wednesday 20th February 2013 in News

AMBULANCE chiefs are looking to boost the numbers taking part in their life-saving community first responder scheme.

The Yorkshire Ambulance Service is seeking recruits for the scheme, particularly in the Helmsley, Aldborough, Pickering and Whitby areas.

The trust has hundreds of first responders working and living in local communities who are trained in basic life-support, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and oxygen therapy.

Volunteers are equipped with a kit which includes oxygen and a defibrillator to help patients in a medical emergency such as a heart attack, collapse or breathing difficulties until the ambulance arrives.

Neil Marsay, the service’s community defibrillation officer, is urging anyone who is interested in learning life-saving skills and helping those living within their local community to consider the role.

“As volunteers are based within the community, they may only be a minute or two away from a medical emergency and very often their role is to simply provide vital reassurance to patients and their families until ambulance clinicians arrive," he said.

“However, in extreme cases, such as a heart attack, they can perform CPR or use their defibrillator to restart someone’s heart which could save a life.”

He added: “Being part of this initiative can be extremely rewarding and I would encourage anyone who may be interested in helping their local community to take on the role.”

Full training is given to successful applicants who need to be over 18, physically fit and hold a full driving licence.

Contact Neil Marsay at Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust on 0845-120-3155 or email: responders@yas.nhs.uk

*The Northern Echo is spearheading The Chance To Live campaign to get more heart-start defibrillators in public places.