DO YOU KNOW THAT IT TAKES APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES FOR AN AMBULANCE TO ATTEND SOMEONE WHO HAS COLLAPSED IN KIRKBY LONSDALE AND THE SURROUNDING AREA?

FOR SOMEONE TO HAVE A CHANCE OF SURVIVING IT IS CRITICAL THAT THEY GET HELP WITHIN 6 MINUTES OF COLLAPSING.

GROUPS OF FIRST RESPONDERS HAVE BEEN FORMED IN KIRKBY LONSDALE, CASTERTON AND BARBON TO GIVE IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE.

What is a First Responder?
Someone who can go quickly and give First Aid and support. First Responders are volunteers who are fully trained free of charge by the Ambulance Service in the use of a defibrillator, oxygen and cardio pulmonary resuscitation. They also learn how to act safely and provide support to relatives until the ambulance arrives.

How does the scheme work?
When the Ambulance Service receives a 999 call, they respond as usual and at the same time, if the call relates to a heart attack or collapse for any reason, they contact the team on call using a pager system. The First Responders collect the defibrillator, oxygen and resuscitation equipment from a central point and are on the scene as quickly as possible, usually arriving some time before the ambulance. The First Responders give initial emergency support with oxygen and a defibrillator while awaiting the arrival of the ambulance. They can also assist, reassure, support and advise relatives and friends.

In addition to training the First Responders, the Ambulance Service also covers them for insurance so First Responders are never personally liable.

They meet different people and become part of a team and also get a lot of satisfaction from helping local people when they most need it.

First Responders are on call approximately once a month for 3 days/nights with their team – it is not essential to be available during the day – statistically the peak times for call outs are evening and early morning so even if they work out of town they can still be a very valuable member. Volunteers carry on their normal lives but carry a pager and make themselves available when their team is on call.

The Kirkby Lonsdale Group began on 1st May 2001 and was joined by groups in Casterton and Barbon in 2005. There are 8 teams who provide 24 hour, 365 day cover.

By December 2007 the groups had responded to approximately 300 emergency call outs.

These are some comments from First Responders:

‘There is heart disease in my family so I was particularly keen to be able to help and to know what to do when someone has a heart attack – I now feel confident that I could save a life.’

‘I was worried at first that I wouldn’t know what to do at a call out but there is always someone else these and we work together.’

‘I have never done anything to do with caring for people who are ill but our training helps me to understand how I can help and there is always someone I can talk to. We are never called out to road traffic accidents, etc.’

‘I was a bit worried about contact with the Ambulance crews but they are great – they are grateful for our help and the fact that we get to the person within minutes and also can direct them to the house.’

‘I have enjoyed meeting different people and feeling part of a group – you also get a lot of satisfaction from helping local people.’

If you are part of a local group and would like someone from the First Responder Scheme to come and talk to you and demonstrate the equipment or you would like to find out more about the scheme please email klfirstresponders@hotmail.co.uk