A Community First Responder carries an AED (Automated External Defibrillator – see below) and a first response bag containing an Oxygen cylinder and other first aid equipment to enable them to respond to a variety of medical emergencies. They are also issued with a Hi-Vis jacket.
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It is important to note that CFRs are not trained in emergency blue-light driving, and will travel to the scene in their own unmarked vehicle, so do not expect lights and sirens until the ambulance itself arrives. If at all possible, get someone to stand outside and keep an eye open for the CFR and ambulance and direct them to the exact location, this is especially important at night; if you can, turn on an outside light and get someone to stand by the front door, this will speed up the process of getting assistance to the patient.
The AED
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The Automated External Defibrillator is a semi-automatic device that “shocks” a heart that has stopped beating correctly, typically when someone’s heart stops working properly it will go into what is known as Ventricular Fibrillation (VF), which means it is beating too fast and out of synch and is therefore not pumping blood around the body efficiently. The AED detects this behavior and allows the CFR to deliver a shock that “resets” the heart which hopefully allows it to start beating in rhythm again. The units are foolproof and will not allow a shock to be delivered unless the unit detects that the heart is in VF.
The First Response Bag
The first aid kit carried by CFRs will contain a selection of equipment, some of which is listed here:
· Oxygen Cylinder – Used by the CFR to prevent hypoxia (oxygen deprivation) in patients suffering from a variety of acute medical problems.
· Bag-Valve-Mask – Used to deliver 100% oxygen to a patient who has stopped breathing.
· Oropharyngeal airways (OPAs) – Used to maintain a clear airway, preventing an unconscious patient from choking on their own fluids or tongue.
· Wound Dressings – Used to control serious bleeding.
· Aspirin – Used by the CFR to treat patients suffering from a heart attack, providing it is appropriate in the circumstances.
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First Responders are fully trained in the use of all the equipment they are issued with. To learn more about the training provided by SECAmb, please read more here: Training.