EMERGENCY medical equipment given to St John Ambulance Isle of Man could lead to more community first responders being on duty in the north of the Island.
The Ramsey Cottage Hospital League of Friends has handed eight fully equipped first responder kits to the charity.
The kits, which cost £2,200 each, contain defibrillators, oxygen and other vital emergency equipment, as well as Tetra radios.
Community first responders are recruited and trained in life-saving by St John Ambulance and are dispatched by the Emergency Services Joint Control Room on behalf of the Isle of Man Ambulance and Paramedic Service.
They tend to those waiting for an ambulance, or assist the ambulance crew, as they are ideally based in their communities.
The first responders undertake first aid techniques such as CPR, apply defibrillation in the case of cardiac arrest, give oxygen to those with breathing difficulties, offer reassurance and gather information that will be of assistance to ambulance technicians and paramedics when they arrive.
Gerry Jones, who co-ordinates the scheme for St John Ambulance, said the gift from the League of Friends meant the north's dozen community first responders, who are dispatched when they would be first on the scene when someone takes ill, would not have to swap kits at the end of stints on duty and this could lead to volunteers providing more cover – potentially saving more lives.
The gift came about after Captain Nigel Malpass, of the League of Friends, met Gerry at a recruitment evening for St John Ambulance Badgers and Cadets, the leading first aid charity's young members.
Gerry was then invited to give a talk to the League of Friends about the value of the community first responder scheme.
In recent years, the League of Friends has spent £750,000 on equipment for the hospital, leading to it becoming a centre of excellence.
The equipment has benefited patients and the staff. All the money has come from donations and bequests.
Chairman of the League of Friends Leonard Singer said: "We are delighted to donate the first responder kits as these could enable earlier emergency treatment to the people of the north of the Island, possibly saving lives.
"We are extremely grateful for the continuing support we receive from the people of Ramsey and the north and we look forward to providing further equipment in the future to benefit the patients and staff."
CFR schemes operate in the north, west and south of the Island and there are 40 fully trained volunteers.
Anyone interested in training to be a community first responder or wishing to donate to the charity should contact Steve Crowe at steven.crowe@gov.im or leave their details with St John Ambulance on 674387.
