 West Bergholt
First Responders
When a person suffers a cardiac arrest they lose consciousness in a matter of
seconds. Unless someone begins cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) within three
to four minutes, the person may suffer permanent damage to the brain and other
organs.
Community First Responder (CFR) volunteers are trained to attend emergency
calls received by the ambulance service and provide care until the ambulance
arrives. Volunteers can arrive at an emergency scene in a matter of minutes, as
they are sent to calls in their local area.
Having someone in the community who has been
trained in first aid and can reach the patient quickly makes all the difference.
Each volunteer member takes it in turn to be 'on call', they can volunteer
from as little as four hours a month. They carry basic
first aid equipment and an automated external defibrillator (AED). The ambulance
service controller sends them to Category A (immediately life-threatening)
medical calls; they are despatched at the same time as an ambulance and crew
and, if arriving first, will stay with the patient until the ambulance arrives.
Anyone who lives in the area can get involved with a local CFR scheme,
whether it's to be a volunteer, or to help with other vital tasks such as
fundraising, training or administration. Volunteers do not need first aid
experience to join their local unit, as full training will be provided.
Anyone interested should contact the Group Organiser, Annie Neish, on 01206
240469 or visit their website
here.
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