Salisbury Rotary Club > News > COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS DEMONSTRATE SAVING LIVES TO SALISBURY ROTARY CLUB

COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS DEMONSTRATE SAVING LIVES TO SALISBURY ROTARY CLUB

Salisbury Rotary Club members welcomed Community First Responders, David and Julie Netton, to their latest meeting.

Community First Responders (CFRs) are volunteers (unpaid), trained and despatched by UK ambulance services to provide essential life saving treatment and support in those crucial moments before the ambulance crew arrives.

This includes responding to patients suffering a life-threatening emergency, such as a cardiac arrest, chest pain, strokes, breathing difficulties, diabetic emergencies, seizures and allergic reactions.

Some specially trained CFRs also respond to less urgent calls for patients who have fallen, pendant alarm activations or where there is concern for their welfare.

CFRs commenced in 1990 and there are over 600 in the South West area, funded locally by South Western Ambulance Service. They are not paramedics, but do have to sit qualifications, are available 24/7, and must commit to volunteering for a minimum of 12 hours per week.

Julie and David brought with them an impressive array of kit and modern technology and encouraged Club member participation in using defibrillators – which double or quadruple the chances of surviving a cardiac arrest (80% of which happen at home) – how to give, and practising CFR – the use of a Raizer Emegency Lifting Chair – and Pulse Oximeters.

An inspirational, fascinating and educational talk and demonstration from a service that, put simply, saves lives.

Salisbury Rotary Club have recently committed to funding a defibrillator at the One stop shop in the Bishopdown estate in Salisbury.

News

Events