First Responder Scheme “ Helping our communities to help themselves ” Training The training of volunteers in defibrillation and other life saving techniques will last approximately 12 hours. Due to the advance in medical technology, First Responders using this new equipment can, now carry out many lifesaving interventions previously performed only by highly trained individuals. These include easy to operate 'automatic external defibrillators' (AED's) and lightweight oxygen delivery systems. What to do next If you have some free time and want to participate in providing a valuable service to your community or assist in establishing a Community First Responder Scheme please contact: Susan McSweeney – Scoraig or Mairi Mooney Community Resuscitation Co-ordinator Scottish Ambulance Service A Special Health Board of the NHS in Scotland

Why do we need you ? Since the launch of its Community First Responder initiative, the Scottish Ambulance Service has seen over 50 schemes established across Scotland, with new communities volunteering every week. The responders are deployed to appropriate calls by the ambulance service’s Emergency Medical Dispatch Centre. “In a medical emergency it is often the simple first aid skills, like making sure an airway is clear, that save a life.” The programme is an enhancement to the service’s existing ambulance resources and each scheme works locally with our staff to ensure ongoing refresher training in basic life saving skills and the use of medical equipment. Chain of Survival Early Access Early CPR Early Defibrillation Early Advanced Care Picture with permission from Leardal Timing is Crucial In 1990 Dr Richard Cummins, from Seattle, USA discovered that if a series of events took place in a set sequence, a heart attack victim has a greater chance of survival. These events are known as the 'Chain of Survival': Early Access to Emergency Care must be provided by calling 999. Early CPR should be started and maintained until arrival of the ambulance. Early Defibrillation can restart the heart function of a person with ventricular fibrillation (VF). Early Advance Care, the final link, can then be administered as required by Paramedics When each link in the chain works successfully, the chance of surviving sudden onset cardiac arrest increases greatly. Therefore Community First Responders with quick access to defibrillators can be a vital asset when sudden cardiac arrest strikes. People who survive sudden cardiac arrest have an excellent prognosis: 83% survive for at least one year, and 57% survive for five years or longer. Clearly this shows early defibrillation is a key intervention in the chain of survival. A Typical Community First Responder Scheme A Community First Responder scheme wll be a locally managed group of volunteers who may choose to elect a Local co-ordinator and plan their own 'on-call' rota to cover their own community. Ideally, each community will have 24-hour cover, 365 days a year but it may not be possible to do this if there are only a few volunteers. A Minimum of five volunteers are required in order to set up a scheme.