A PAIR of life-savers are teaching Sihillians lifesaving skills they have learnt while volunteering for West Midlands Ambulance Service.
Mark and Linda Atherton have been community first responders (CFRs) in Solihull for 15 years and wanted to share their wisdom.
They, and two other CFRs have created Central Fast Response which promotes first aid training, particularly how to perform effective cardio pulmonary resuscitation and how to use an automatic external defibrillator.
Mark said: “We have attended hundreds of different 999 calls ranging from the most serious cardiac arrests to suspected stroke and a variety of trauma, broken limbs, severe bleeding.
“We are able to offer lifesaving treatment very quickly as well as reassurance. This is one of the most important aspects of the role, calming the patient and assuring them that help is at hand.
“Whilst continuing to respond as CFRs in Knowle and Dorridge a group of four of us decided to use our more than 15 years of experience to form a separate independent charity, Central Fast Response.
“The vision of the charity is to train as many people in the community to know what to do in the event of a medical emergency at home or in public.”
For more visit www.centralfastresponce.org.uk
