Appeal goes out for Community First Responders

An appeal has gone out to the public to get involved with an initiative which could see you save lives.

St John Ambulance and the Ambulance and Paramedic Service are appealing for more volunteer Community First Responders to come forward and serve the communities in which they live.

The duty of a CFR is essentially to be the first person on the scene as the individual waits for paramedics.

You may be called on to give CPR and defibrillation in case of cardiac arrest, or give oxygen to those with breathing difficulties.

There are 40 trained CFRs in the north, west and south of the Island, they are not currently required in Douglas given the proximity to Ambulance headquarters.

Spokesman for the CFR's Gerry Jones has stressed that volunteers would not be despatched to accident scenes, but they would be providing an valuable service.

You can find out more by contacting Gerry on 371296, gj88@hotmail.com or via St John Ambulance headquarters on 674387.