Community responders join fifth Probus Lunch

The ladies arrived early for their well anticipated glass (or glasses) of wine before the full lunch service; which was eagerly awaited and then more eagerly consumed.

The ‘butterly delicious’ potatoes were again on the menu and dissuaded all ladies present from sticking to their well intentioned diets – after all, we said, it would be rude to refuse.

After lunch the presentation from The Responders started.

This was well orchestrated by a husband and wife team Ian and Andrea Carlson - Hedges. Ian and Andy were both well known in the community and indeed to many of the ladies present.

Over the next hour they worked in tandem to guide us through the procedures used, when responding to emergency calls, through the 999 system within their area.

We were reminded of long forgotten St John’s First Aid classes and listened spell bound and impressed about the work that The Responders do in their, and therefore our, community.

The primary role of a Community First Responder is to provide life-saving emergency treatment in their local area and to prevent deterioration, promote recovery and preserve life.

They are dispatched at the same time as an ambulance via ambulance control to attend Category A – immediate life threatening calls.

These calls can include cardiac arrest, diabetic emergency, unconscious patient, breathing difficulties and seizures.

They are not a substitute for the ambulance crews but because they live locally are able to attend the scene of an emergency and can then begin vital life- saving first aid before the arrival of an ambulance to further increase the patients chance of success.

We were told that their job could be made so much easier if addresses were easier to locate.

Here in West Chiltington where there are only house names and not numbers it can be an impossible task in the middle of the night, It was suggested that street maps/boards showing the location of properties like those used in Crossways Park and Nyetimber Copse be replicated and that house names should be highly visible and illuminated at night.

In doing this we can only help ourselves and others. We found the talk of great value and interest. Ann Salmon warmly thanked Andy and Ian, on our behalf, for such an illuminating and educating insight in their life-saving work.

Our next meeting will be on Thur. 3rd July when we shall hear from Terry King (immediate past President of West Chiltington Men’s Probus) on the fascinating topic of’ West Midlands to West Chiltington’.

Report and picture contributed by Russ Fry.