HEYBRIDGE COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS       

WHAT DO FIRST RESPONDERS DO?

TRAINING

All First Responders attend a training course with the East of England Ambulance Service. They learn how to manage patients who are not breathing, including those who may have suffered a cardiac arrest. They are taught how to treat unconscious patients and a range of other potentially serious conditions.

Meetings are held each month to refresh and extend this training.  Responders are assessed after the initial training and at intervals of twelve months thereafter.

READY TO GO

Volunteers select times that are convenient to themselves to be on standby. They work from home and carry on with their normal routine until contacted by Ambulance Control on a dedicated mobile telephone. They then move promptly to patient's location and provide appropriate care and treatment until a regular crew arrives.

Many duty sessions may pass by without a call. At other times there may be several calls in quick succession. Duty periods may be weekdays, weekends or nights. Ideally we would provide cover at all times.

THE CALL OUT

First Responders are normally used for category A calls, which may be life threatening. Common conditions are:
▪   chest pains
▪   breathing difficulties
Cardiac arrests are fortunately less frequent but vitally important. A rapid response time may make the difference between life and death.

First Responders are not sent to road traffic accidents or violent incidents, nor do they attend children under 8 years old.

TREATMENT

In the crucial case of cardiac arrest, First Responders will administer CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation) and will attempt to restore circulation by defibrillation.

The majority of patients are given oxygen therapy and their condition is monitored until an ambulance arrives. It is normally possible to make the patient more comfortable, treat injuries, and to prevent the condition from deteriorating. Both patient and relatives are reassured by the presence of a trained person who is able to act immediately if further emergency action is needed.

EQUIPMENT

First Responders travel in their own vehicles. Signs are provided to identify the car as an emergency response vehicle, but drivers are still required to observe normal speed limits and traffic regulations. There are no sirens or blue lights.

High visibility jackets are provided and an identity card is carried. Equipment includes a defibrillator, oxygen, items for managing unconscious casualties, and dressings for simple wounds. The emphasis is on immediate action to save lives rather than detailed treatment of any condition.