It’s the situation we all dread. Someone we love has an accident in the home, is in pain and maybe bleeding or the sudden collapse or medical emergency of anyone in the community. Of course we’ve called for an ambulance but it could be a while arriving. What to do – right now when help is most urgent?
In Ashington there is an answer. The First Responder scheme uses trained local volunteers, working beside the Ambulance Service, to attend the scene and give first aid that is so vital in those first few minutes while the ambulance is on its way. The First Responder stays with the casualty until the ambulance arrives.
Medical experts have shown that, particularly in the event of a cardiac arrest, prompt attention within the early minutes hugely improves the chances of survival and recovery. The so-called ‘chain of survival’ – early access, early resuscitation, early defibrillation, early advanced life support – increases the patient’s pre-hospital survival rate by about 30 per cent for life threatening situations such as a heart attack, unconsciousness or severe bleeding.
First Responders Schemes have been set up in a number of other areas up and down the country and have already saved lives and improved recovery times of casualties. As the Ambulance Service dispatch an ambulance they also call the responder on duty when they receive an emergency call for the Ashington village or immediate area. Some 999 calls are not suitable for volunteers – for example road traffic accidents or incidents involving violence so are not covered by First Responders.
The volunteers receive their initial training which covers advanced first-aid, the use of oxygen and automated defibrillation, as well as how to deal with fractures and bleeding. This is backed up by on-going practice. The aim of the volunteers is to provide a 24-7 service to the community but the scheme is not a substitute or alternative for the professionals.
If you are interested in supporting our scheme as a Responder, a benefactor who would like to donate money or someone who could help us with fund raising or the administration of our scheme then please contact Suzanne on 01903 892440.