Burnley pub boss leads new life-saving emergency team

A FLEDGLING first aid team is getting off the ground in rural areas of Burnley thanks to a publican.
Patrick O’Reilly, manager at the New Waggoners in Dunnockshaw, is leading the first Burnley community first responders team.

Formerly a member of a similar outfit in Clitheroe, Patrick started to make inquiries about establishing a team based around the Manchester Road hostelry.

North West Ambulance Service bosses have now fitted a community defibrillator at the pub, for immediate casualties in areas such as Clowbridge to Rosehill.

Patrick, who is a field trainer and instructor under the Heartstart scheme, is now set to head-up a three-strong team.

Jane Atkinson, NWAS community resuscitation development manager, said the team would play a vital role in attending life-threatening incidents.

“Their role is important in providing care and support to patients, until the ambulance crew arrives on site. NWAS trains and equips first responders with defibrillators, oxygen and first aid kits,” she added.
The team at Padiham has also recently expanded with the additional of two new community responders and a further pair in training.

Several new schemes have also sprung up in Rossendale and defibrillators are in place in Haslingden, Crawshawbooth, Rawtenstall, Bacup and Waterfoot.

Mark Evans, Lancashire’s community resuscitation manager, added: “With a patient in a life-threatening condition, it is the simple things that save lives, including the type of assistance and the speed of response, which is why we use first responders.”

Potential new recruits in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale areas can become involved by visiting the scheme’s website at www.nwas-responders. info.

 Peter Magill, Chief reporter, Lancashire Telegraph

‘Care to Wear Red’ for London’s Air Ambulance

We need your help; we hope you will never need ours…

London’s Air Ambulance’s Wear Red Day launches on Friday 28th September, for the first time in its history and it is a day which the charity hopes will become an annual fundraising event. 

‘Wear Red Day’ will become a dress code on 28 September for all Londoners willing to support London’s Air Ambulance, the charity which runs London’s helicopter emergency medical service. Simply by wearing red to the office, school or on a night out, you can raise awareness and money for this life-saving service.

London’s Air Ambulance provides pre-hospital medical care to victims of serious injury, at the scene of the incident, throughout London. By turning a casual Friday to Wear Red Day and collecting a minimum of £1 from participants, everyone can make a difference to the 10 million people who live, work and commute within the Capital.

Dr. Gareth Davies, Chair & Medical Director, London’s Air Ambulance, said: “London’s Air Ambulance relies heavily upon donations from the public. “Serious injury is the commonest cause of death in under 55s.  London’s Air Ambulance treats over 2,000 seriously injured patients a year and by wearing red on this day and getting others involved, you are helping us to continue to save lives. It is so simple!!”

Why not wear something red for the day at your school or work place? You can wear red head to toe, dress up as a tomato or just wear red socks to show your support. Fundraising should be fun and an event like this is easy to organise and takes very little pre-planning.

Some people also auction a dinner with senior management within their organisation, hold a cake sale or a sponsored chest wax. Anything is possible. We can help with posters, stickers and wristbands for those taking part. 

The Wear Red Day is a part of National Air Ambulance Week (24^th – 30^th September), the UK wide initiative organised by Association of Air Ambulances.

To register, visit, http://londonsairambulance.co.uk/component/content/article/542

 or contact Amanda Crozier at London’s Air Ambulance on 020 7943 1302 or email a.crozier@londonsairambulance.co.uk.

Fabrice Muamba meets Edmonton paramedic lifesaver

A paramedic who was one of the first medical staff to treat Fabrice Muamba after he collapsed and stopped breathing has said it was a 'privilege' to meet him again.

Pete Fisher, who is based at Edmonton ambulance station, Windmill Road, was off-duty from the London Ambulance Service but working as part of Tottenham Hotspur’s pitch side rescue team at the match with Bolton Wanderers in March.

He met with him for the first time at the recording of the BBC’s 999 Awards programme, which was broadcast on Thursday night (16 August).

Pete, who was among the medical team to receive a special award from Fabrice for their actions in saving his life, attended the ceremony on behalf of all the ambulance staff involved on the day of the incident.
They included London Ambulance Service colleagues who were on duty in the stadium and carried out the ambulance journey to hospital.

Pete, pictured holding the award, said: “It was a privilege to meet Fabrice again. It was a magnificent team effort on the day to save his life, and I believe that it wasn’t for the training we received from the Service then none of this would have happened.”

Fabrice, who has this week announced his retirement from professional football, said of all the people who treated him: “They did an unbelievable job. They never gave up on me and they never stopped treating me. I thank every one of them every single day.

“I truly carry them in my heart everywhere I go. I told them they are special people - those are my heroes.”

CHEADLE RESIDENT SKYDIVES FOR AMBULANCE SERVICE 

Sixty year old John Dean will be jumping 10,000ft from an aeroplane in a bid to raise money for Cheadle First Responders.Mr Dean, who has lived in Cheadle for 30 years, will be taking on a tandem skydive for charity in Whitchurch today. 

Talking about the parachute jump Mr Dean said: “Unfortunately I lost my wife, Carol earlier this year, and it was decided that donations made at the funeral would be given to West Midlands Ambulance Service for the Cheadle First Responders.

“Following the donation I received a lovely thank you letter from the service and it has encouraged me to think about raising more money.

“I decided to do a skydive as it is something I have always thought about doing but have never got round to. Following the events of this year, I have really been driven on to do it and raise some money for a good cause.”

The Cheadle community first responders are volunteers that respond to emergencies on behalf of West Midlands Ambulance Service, prior to the arrival of an ambulance. CFRs are trained by the Ambulance Service to a nationally recognised level and help reach those people suffering from medical emergencies in the remote rural communities fast. In many illnesses or injuries the first few minutes are critical and simple interventions can be performed in order to save lives or prevent disability.

Duncan Parsonage, Community Response Manager said: “Community First Responder Schemes are entirely funded by charitable donations, so any donations from the local community are greatly received.

“CFRs help reach those people, suffering from medical emergencies, in the remote rural communities fast. In many illnesses or injuries the first few minutes are critical and simple interventions can be performed in order to save lives or prevent disability.

“I would like to say a huge thank you Mr Dean on behalf of the Service and the CFR group. His previous donation and future fundraising efforts really could help to save more lives within Cheadle.”

The local community in Cheadle have really supported the CFR group and earlier this year the responder group were able to purchase a new 4x4 response vehicle thanks to the communities generosity. 

Vinnie Jones Becomes A First Aider

The latest appearance from Hollywood hard man Vinnie Jones sees him gain a first aid qualification. However there is more to the story as he has come up with a completely new method of CPR.

August 06, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Vinnie Jones latest television commercial sees him tell all on the subject of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). The former pro footballer even went on a first aid at work course in preparation for the ad in which he reveals a new technique in delivering CPR. Train Aid however has joined a number of training providers who are calling for clarity on what is the correct protocol. The advert kicks off when a non-breathing body is dramatically thrown across the floor. First on the scene is Vinnie who explains to his peers a new way of delivering "Hands Only CPR". This new concept means that you no longer need to worry about blowing oxygen into the lungs, and instead just need to focus on artificially pumping the heart. The advert was created by the British Heart Foundation to raise awareness of this new form of CPR. However controversy exists owing to the thousands of first aid courses that teach candidates to perform full CPR. No one questions that chest compressions are a life saver, but the body does require a constant stream of oxygen. Vinnie wraps the commercial up by telling everyone that there "should be no kissing as you only kiss your missus on the lips". First aid at work training teaches candidates that if you have the confidence to blow air into someone's lungs then there is no time to hesitate. The full CPR protocol instructs to keep a flow of oxygen into the lungs, and then circulate it via chest compressions. Who knows one day you might be called upon to touch the lips of your work colleague, golfing partner or best mate. Train Aid Ltd deliver both affordable and enjoyable training courses that place a strong emphasis on teaching practical skills that are relevant to real life. Website: http://www.train-aid.co.uk

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