What is a Cardiac Responder?
A Community First Responder (CFR) is a volunteer who responds to emergency 999 calls within the local community.
Community First Responders are trained to nationally accredited standards in Basic Life Support, Airway Management and Administration of Emergency Oxygen, and attend emergency calls in and around the Wolverhampton area.
The CFRs aim is to reach a potential life threatening emergency in the first vital minutes before the ambulance crew arrives.
The CFRs role is to help stabilise the patient and provide the appropriate care until the more highly skilled ambulance crew arrives on scene to take over the treatment.
Community First Responders are trained to nationally accredited standards in Basic Life Support, Airway Management and Administration of Emergency Oxygen, and attend emergency calls in and around the Wolverhampton area.
The CFRs aim is to reach a potential life threatening emergency in the first vital minutes before the ambulance crew arrives.
The CFRs role is to help stabilise the patient and provide the appropriate care until the more highly skilled ambulance crew arrives on scene to take over the treatment.
Criteria
Anyone can become a CFR but you must:
- be aged between 18+
- registered with GoodSAM
- have a full driving licence and access to a road worthy car
- be physically fit
- be able to attend incidents whilst at home or work
- have a sympathetic, caring nature
- excellent communication skills
- agree to hold a clear disclosure and barring service check (DBS) at an enhanced level
- agree to undertake training, which is provided by West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust (WMASUNHSFT).
Equipment
Equipment is purchased and owned by Wulfruna Land & Water Lifesavers.
Typically responders carry the following equipment:
Responders are also issued with PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) including sterile gloves, uniform, boots and high visibility jackets.
The majority of our fundraising is for the purchasing and maintenance of equipment. We are very grateful to our supporters but we could always do with more help. If you would like to help or know more please contact us, there are lots of ways you could get involved.
Typically responders carry the following equipment:
- Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
- Oxygen, trauma masks and bag-valve-mask
- Sphygmomanometer (Blood pressure monitor)
- Stethoscope
- Suction unit
- Temperature monitoring
- Variety of bandages and dressings
- Burns dressings
- Torch
Responders are also issued with PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) including sterile gloves, uniform, boots and high visibility jackets.
The majority of our fundraising is for the purchasing and maintenance of equipment. We are very grateful to our supporters but we could always do with more help. If you would like to help or know more please contact us, there are lots of ways you could get involved.