ST John Ambulance and the Isle of Man Ambulance and Paramedic Service are appealing for people to step forward and become Community First Responders.
They are looking for volunteers who can help serve the communities in which they live and assist if someone falls ill.
Community First Responders are recruited and trained by St John Ambulance and then despatched by the Emergency Services' Joint Control Room to help people who have fallen ill and are waiting for an ambulance.
Responders are trained in administrating CPR and defibrillation in case of cardiac arrest, giving oxygen to those with breathing difficulties and offering reassurance to patients.
They also gather information about the patient which saves paramedics' valuable time when they arrive at the scene.
Gerry Jones, who co-ordinates the scheme for St John Ambulance, said: "Volunteers come from all walks of life and many have no previous first aid training.
"They provide a vital service in outlying areas where they live. They use their own vehicles and book on and off duty so they can give up as much or as little time as they can spare. All the equipment they use is provided."
There are 40 trained Community First Responders around the Island but a training course to recruit more will begin at the end of November.
This will take place over four sessions – Saturday, November 26 and Sunday, November 27 and Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4 - from 9.30am to 4.30pm each day.
Sessions will be held at the St John Ambulance headquarters in Glencrutchery Road, Douglas, with the exception of the first session, which will be held at the ambulance headquarters at Noble's Hospital.
Volunteers must attend all sessions to qualify as Community First Responders. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Gerry continued: "The course will be followed by practical familiarisation training working with paramedics and other emergency crews to give volunteers the confidence to put their newly acquired knowledge and skills into practice.
"The Community First Responder scheme is always looking for volunteers to raise funds for our work, help at public relations events or provide administrative help so if you know someone who has talents in these areas but does not wish to volunteer to respond we would be glad to hear from them as well."
Anyone who would like more information on becoming a Community First Responder should contact Gerry on 07624 371296 or by e-mail at gj88@hotmail.com.
Community First Responders are not despatched to accident scenes and are not being sought in the Douglas area at this time due to the proximity of ambulance headquarters.
