Commnity First Response

[TomW]

Just thought I'd give a heads up on this. It's something I found out about only recently but am looking forward to getting involved with.
As a community first responder you support the ambulance service by responding to 999 calls in your community (8 minutes of home). An ambulance is still on its way but with the nhs stretched so thin the travel time can be the difference between recovery or not. Training is pretty comprehensive and goes a lot further than first aid.

I think its a good way to increase your skills and help others at the same time. Google can tell you more as I'm only just getting involved so don't have all the answers yet lol I think its something you have to be serious about as its a big financial commitment on their part at £1500 for the kit and who knows how much for the training! But if you've got the time and commitment it could be really worthwhile

[preppingsu]

Sounds interesting. Please keep us updated on how you are getting on.

[KalPrep]

I would be very interested in how you go on. Definitely something I would consider to help out my local community.

[Ian]

Whilst I thoroughly approve of this initiative I do question why it is necessary. Is it to fudge NHS response times, move liability, claim 'more response teams available', cutting back ambulance availability, response 'on the cheap'? Or is it just an organisation like St John or Red Cross.

In these straitened times it just seems odd to spend NHS resources in this way.

[gadgetguy]

As far as I am aware its about getting a properly trained person on scene ASAP with the right kit,defib O2etc.some areas have limited ambulance cover and one ambulance may be busy or at the far end of their area when called.

The quicker the proper intervention then hopefully a better result.

[preppingsu]

As far as I am aware its about getting a properly trained person on scene ASAP with the right kit,defib O2etc.some areas have limited ambulance cover and one ambulance may be busy or at the far end of their area when called.

The quicker the proper intervention then hopefully a better result.

Particularly in the more rural areas.

[Mr_Sea-Breeze]

I have been a responder for a couple of years and as has already been mentioned it is aimed at getting correctly trained people with the correct equipment to medical emergencies in the shortest possible time.

I believe that the training differs slightly depending on the Ambulance service but it is based on the FPOS scheme.

As well as helping out in the local community it gives you practical experience on a regular basis.

I am happy to answer questions based on my limited experience if anyone wants to know more

Cheers

MSB

[ticklemonkey]

Very good Mr SB,
One will get decent training and experience in dealing with medical issues. A quote I liked and forget the quotee is ' I don't care who saves me, just save me'. It was in relation to any emergency service doing 1st aid but I feel applies here.
Is it pre-hospital care on the cheap? Maybe but why? IMHO it is because 90% of 'emergency' calls are not emergencies. The public should be educated and dealt with when they abuse the process. Repeat offenders should be positively dealt with without the lawyers getting involved. "You are being ignored because you have cried wolf too often". This should be judged appropriately, of course.
Off my soap box, well done Mr SB again.

[jansman]

As far as I am aware its about getting a properly trained person on scene ASAP with the right kit,defib O2etc.some areas have limited ambulance cover and one ambulance may be busy or at the far end of their area when called.

The quicker the proper intervention then hopefully a better result.

Particularly in the more rural areas.

I lived in Lincolnshire for some years. Have a heart attack,or slice an artery,without training/trained person you are pretty much a dead man. Response time was 25 minutes on a good day. Not NHS fault. Just too damn remote.

[PreppingPingu]

Something the Bristish Heart foundation are starting to roll out into schools, and which the school I work at has been involved with is the "heart start" programme. It teaches the 10 and 11 years olds and a selection of staff the basic hands only CPR and what to do if somene is having a heart attack - (not everyone stops breathing with a heart attack - my gran took two days to go to her Gp after suffering one but that another story.) The staff then become trained and carry the training on in school on a regualar basis. Anyhow, the reason I mention this is there are lots of schemes that do offer basic first aid in one form or another. My nephew is in the Badgers - which is the young uns section of the St. John's ambulance and they ran a 30 min "save a life" one Saturday down our local town. Keep your eyes peeled or contact your local St John's service and find out what is avilable. Good skills on a day to day basis never mind a shtf senario. I am a paediatric first aider for school but as I thankfully don't have to put my skills into practice very often, I am always looking out for refresher oportunities as the 3 year cycle of first aid training is far too long apart I feel.