AN APPEAL has gone out to find would-be lifesavers in the Vale of Clwyd. The Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust wants people ready, willing and able in the Corwen, Bala and Llangollen areas to help give a part of their daily life over to helping save the lives of emergency patients. Chapel ministers, bank managers and school dinner ladies are some of the broad range of people who have already signed up to make a difference with the scheme. First responders schemes are designed to give people the skills and tools needed to begin life-saving treatment before an ambulance can arrive at the scene, but they do not replace existing ambulance services. Many people have joined the scheme to help contribute to the towns, villages and rural areas in which they live. All volunteers undergo training by the Welsh Ambulance Service to carry out basic life-saving skills, recognition of cardiac conditions, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and the use of a defibrillator. Regional first responder officer Kevin Hands explained North Wales’ team are in place to help improve the chance of survival for a heart attack victim, as the earlier a casualty receives help, the greater their chance of survival. “It is all about going to someone who is in a life-threatening situation,” he said. “Our Community first responders are in place to help make that all-important difference to a patient’s quality of life.” “Two areas that have been identified where new teams need to be deployed are the town of Llangollen and the area along the A5 corridor adjacent to Corwen. We are looking for numbers, not just individuals, 10 to 12 people to get teams up and running. “The emphasis is on it becoming a community project. Our role is to help get that process under way with the training and to help in the purchasing of the first responder equipment bags and the defibrillator.” Community first responders will reach the patient within a very short time of a 999 call being made. It has been proven for example; that if you can reach a cardiac arrest patient within the first few minutes and administer treatment, their chance of survival is greatly improved. “ For more information contact the regional first responder office (North region) by ringing 01978 366204 or e-mail firstresponder.north@ambulance.wales.nhs.uk | 
