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What do we do?

Frequently asked Questions

What is a Community First Responder?

A First Responder is a volunteer who is trained to respond to a number of emergency medical calls in conjunction with the East Midlands Ambulance Service. First Responders are trained to deliver Basic Life Support, defibrillation for patients in Cardiac Arrest and first aid.

Why does Grimsby need a First Responder group?

All the first responder live and work in the community of Grimsby, we attend an emergency call in the area quickly and provide support to a patient whilst awaiting the arrival of an Ambulance. During the time waiting for an ambulance, the First Responder can then start to provide life saving first aid using the equipment and training given, this can then further enhance the patient's chance of survival.

 

 

These types of calls are classed as medical emergencies, and can happen both at home and in public places.

Since more than 70% of sudden cardiac arrest cases occur out of hospital, it is unlikely that Paramedics will be on the scene at the onset, so the ability of the First Responders to get to a patient quickly and administer basic life saving support until the Ambulance Paramedic arrives is vital, especially in rural areas where an Ambulance cannot always reach the scene straight away.

First Responders with quick access to defibrillators can be a vital asset when sudden cardiac arrest strikes.

When a "999" call is made within our local area, the Ambulance Service despatch an Emergency Ambulance as normal to the scene, at the same time they will contact the Community First Responder who is on-duty. Because of our location, we can often arrive first and begin to treat the patient by:

 

 

 

PIC

 

 

  • Giving oxygen therapy
  • Clearing and controlling the airway of an unconscious patient
  • Providing resuscitation and heart defibrillation
  • Controlling any bleeding
  • Making them feel more comfortable and at ease
  • Taking basic observations
  • Reassuring worried family and friends and taking charge of the situation
  • Using local knowledge to ensure that the Ambulance can find the location quickly

 

In cases where the patient has suffered a cardiac arrest, the most vital piece of equipment we carry, called the defibrillator, would be used to deliver a controlled shock to attempt to put the patients heart back into a normal rhythm.

In theses circumstances the patients heart needs to receive a shock as quickly as possible, ideally within the first 5 to 10 minutes after they have collapsed. The quicker this can happen, the better the chances of survival.

 

 

 

 

 

A heart defibrillator costs approx. £1,800, but this piece of equipment can mean the difference between life and death for some people. What We Do?
Community First Responders are primarily called to attend "Category A" emergency calls, these are 999 calls which the East Midlands Ambulance Service deem to be "Serious and/or life threatening" and therefore by there very nature need medical help to arrive as quickly as possible, usually within the first 8 minutes from the 999 call being made. "Category A" calls are usually where the patient is suffering from some the following symptoms:-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over 110,000 people die every year in the UK from heart attacks and the chance of survival decreases by between 7 and 10% with each minute that passes when a patient's heart has stopped beating. Early defibrillation is the key to successful resuscitation.

The Community First Responders are asked to attend "Category A" emergency calls which involve patients suffering from Chest Pains, Breathing Difficulties, Collapse and Unconsciousness.


People who survive sudden cardiac arrest have an excellent prognosis:
- 83% survive for at least one year
- 57% survive for five years or longer