LIVES is a charity that deals with pre hospital care in Lincolnshire. Its volunteers give up their spare time to attend 999 calls directed through ambulance control. The type of call they go out to depends on whether they are a doctor, paramedic, or first responder (community volunteer). This scheme now handles over 1000 calls per month and has over 1600 volunteers. However our aim is to have a LIVES First Responder group, doctor, or paramedic in every community in Lincolnshire so your help is always needed.

Lincolnshire is a vast county with many rural villages and small winding roads. Therefore it is essential to get community based help to victims of accidents or breathing difficulties within minutes, and apply basic life support.

LIVES First Responders are community volunteers who go out to victims of heart attack or suspected heart attack, breathing difficulties, choking, and collapse, myself and other members are also trained for other emergencies like road traffic accidents and dealing with the young.

If cardiac arrest occurs, a patient's chance of survival drops by 10% for every minute that goes by. After 8 minutes the chance of survival drops to 20%. Thus, if the Ambulance has to travel to get to a small village or town, patient's chances may be affected. First Responders cover a 6-minute area and are trained in Basic Life Support and defibrillation.

It is a national statistic that the overall chance of survival from cardiac arrest is 5%. Where there is a First Responder Scheme in place, this goes up to 45%. LIVES now has 79 schemes up and running in Lincolnshire and 20 who are trying to get more funding and volunteers.

I have recently taken over a position as FRDO, First Responder Development Officer, for the Southeast of Lincolnshire which also holds a Lone Responder position, in other words going out on incidents during the day and night. Talks on basic life support can be given to any local groups in the village or surrounding areas.

All responder groups rely on donations from the community and fund raising for every piece of equipment we have, so I am asking for your support during any events you may see us at or any donation you may wish to give. We are also looking for help in fund raising or any help that can be given. So if you have any ideas or time on your hands, please do not hesitate to contact me on 440872.

Many thanks in anticipation.

Nigel Adams
Lives Responder

 

 

 

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