First Responders need you (From Penarth Times)

First Responders need you

THE WELSH Ambulance Services NHS Trust is hoping the miraculous story of one South Wales man will inspire volunteers to join the First Responder scheme in Penarth.

Gary Humphries, aged 50, from Energlyn, Caerphilly, would not have celebrated Christmas Day 2003 - his 49th Birthday - had it not been for two First Responders trained in life-saving skills by the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust.

The staff at Hawthorn Leisure Centre, Treforest restarted his heart with an automated defibrillator as he lay on a squash court gripped by a cardiac arrest.

Gary has fervently championed the First Responder scheme ever since.

And, in an amazing act of support, he has qualified as a First Responder himself, after completing the Welsh Ambulance Service training course.

Now the Welsh Ambulance Service is hoping that more people like Gary will volunteer to become First Responders in Penarth, Cowbridge and Llantwit Major - areas not yet fully covered by the scheme.

First Responder training gives volunteers the skills to carry out basic life saving, recognition of cardiac conditions, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of a defibrillator.

First Responder schemes are a valuable additional resource for communities in giving swift emergency help before an ambulance can arrive and do not in any way replace existing emergency ambulance services.

Gary Humphries said: "One of my goals was to become a First Responder and now I want to come full circle and save someone else's life.

"Someone gave me that second chance and I would love to give someone else that back."

He added: "Before I had the event I didn't know what a defibrillator was - now I tell people to think of a defibrillator like car insurance, you may never have a bump but it's always there just in case."

First Responder Officer, Tony Rossetti said: "Gary is an inspiration to us all, and particularly anyone interested in volunteering as a First Responder.

"He is living testament that the skills we teach First Responders really do save lives.

"All training for volunteers who wish to take part in such an initiative is provided by the Welsh Ambulance Service and we look forward to delivering training in these areas"

British Heart Foundation Director in Wales, David Napier said: "Over 270,000 people in the UK suffer a heart attack each year - that's one every two minutes.

"In 30 percent of cases the victim dies before reaching hospital. The First Responder Schemes are a valuable additional resource and help the emergency services in dealing with a sudden cardiac arrest."