Community first responders
A GROUP of volunteer first responders are on call to deal with Carradale emergencies.
The village’s first responder scheme has eight fully trained members and recently Mark Smith from the Scottish Ambulance Service handed over the uniforms, badges, mobile phones and two responder bags allowing them to go live.
The Carradale Community First Responders is a sub group of Carradale Community Trust.
A group spokesperson said: ‘The group is very appreciative of £5,106 funding from East Kintyre Windfarm Trust to purchase two defibrillators and necessary training equipment.’
First responder teams are being used more and more by the ambulance service to provide a speedier response than can be provided by ambulance crews, especially in remote and rural areas.
They are an adjunct to the paramedics, activated by ambulance control in response to a 999 call, and are trained to be first at the scene and to support the patient until the ambulance crew arrive.
Normally they are not despatched to trauma situations or to young children because these situations need a great deal more training.
Monthly evening training sessions take place at Carradale fire station. Training includes use of defibrillators, CPR, support of medical conditions, use of oxygen and suction equipment and basic first aid.
In an emergency, ambulance control sends a message to the oncall pair. Responders attend the location as soon as possible and will remain until support arrives by ambulance or helicopter.
Membership of the group is open to anyone resident in Carradale village.
Anyone interested in being a first responder or join the group, should call Dr Malcolm Elder, at Carradale Surgery on 01583 431376.