Thirty years ago, it was discovered that if a series of events took place, in a set sequence, a patient suffering from a heart attack stood a greater chance of survival. These events are now known as the ‘Chain of Survival’.

Training to be a Community First Responder can be very rewarding to say the least. If you are worried about how much training you will have to do and you are feeling that some experience is a necessary then you would be wrong.

Firstly you don’t have to have had any previous First Aid Training or experience at all, although if you are a member of St John Ambulance or Red Cross or you have even got a First Aid at Work Certificate this always give you a heads up.

Your initial training of 2 evenings and 1 full day plus regular monthly updates are supplied by South Central Ambulance Service free of charge. As a responder you have to attend at least one update training session every three months. This is important and helps you stay in touch with other members from other groups and keeps you updated with new techniques. It also gives you a chance to practice your skills on manikins on a regular basis.  Where possible you should try to attend each month especially if you haven’t been very “active”.

We are always on the look out for new members, currently there are only five of us covering the area. If you feel you want to give something back to to the community or just want to be involved in a rewarding voluntary scheme then read on. The following information provides details of what is needed to become a Community First Responder.

Community Responder schemes across Berkshire are split up into seperate local groups. Depending on where you live depends on which group you would become part of.

Each Community Responder Group is made up of volunteers who live in the local area to each group. These volunteers are dispatched by the South Central Ambulance Control to Life threatening emergencys via Mobile Phone.

Once dispatched, the volunteer is on scene in a very short space of time and proceeds to give vital First Aid and Basic Life Support until the regular emergency ambulance arrives. If the ambulance is already on scene on arrival the volunteer will back the crew up helping to stabilized the patient until the crew do not need you on scene anymore.

Pre-Application Requirements
A prospective Community Responder can come from all walks of life. No prior First Aid knowledge is required as all training will be given to a level to carry out his or her duties. Candidates who hold a recognized First Aid Certificate will be trained in the areas needed to complete their knowledge. There will still be a requirement to demonstrate competence by practical and written assessment. Full background checks including a CRB check will be made on prospective candidates.

Training
The training will allow Candidates to learn about, practice with, and demonstrate competence in administering appropriate First Aid and Defibrillation to a casualty. They will be required to demonstrate competence in all core subject areas via multi-choice question papers and test scenarios with oral questioning. There will also be a driving assessment.

In addition, Candidates will be required to spend a shift with an Ambulance crew.

Responding
Once qualified, Candidates will join a team appropriate to the area that they will be covering. Each team has its own equipment and it is the Responder’s duty to familiarize him/herself with it. Initially the Responder may ‘buddy up’ with a more experienced Responder whilst he or she builds up experience and confidence. Full support is provided, either through the rest of the team, the team co-ordinator or the appropriate on-call RBAT Staff member. Following an emergency, it is likely that a debrief will occur to allow the Responder to talk through any issues arising.

Other Important Comments
Responders are expected to respond within a 5 minute driving radius. Driving will be at normal speeds, obeying all traffic laws. Responders get no exemptions. Remember it is better to arrive late, than not at all.
Responders must not lift casualties and no manual handling training is given.
All Responders will be required to participate in an on-going training program, which will include re-assessment of Basic Life Support and AED skills.

As a Team its very important to build on our member base and have social contact with other members of our group. We hold regular meetings for our members to socialize and to discuss such topics as fund raising, rota’s, and how to raise our public profile. Members are not obliged to attend as they are volunteers but are asked to attend as these meetings are an important part of our success.

If you wish to get involved or just want to find out more information about becoming a Community Responder then please fill out our Contact Form.