The life-saving work of Keswick’s dedicated band of First Responders is being celebrated during the annual nationwide Volunteers’ Week (1st – 7th June).
Last week Keswick first responder Nick Ball answered a call to a woman who was suffering from chest pain. Speaking to the after her ordeal, she said: “Nick was the first to attend when I had a heart attack. Due to his quick response, together with the paramedics and doctors, they got me to the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle to have a stent fitted within the ‘golden’ time period. Thanks to the speed of that response, there was no further damage to my heart.”
The North West Ambulance Service is careful not to deploy first responders to suspected Covid 19 cases, the volunteers always use PPE when attending any call out to protect both their patients and themselves.
Nick, who has been a first responder for eight years, said: “I was delighted to be available to respond to the call to the lady suffering with chest pains. I was just in Booths picking up a few supplies and was able to jump straight back in the car and arrive on scene in a matter of minutes. It’s obviously not why we do it, but it is really nice to hear from people we have helped – and find out a bit more about their recovery.”
First Responders in the Keswick area are keen that everyone in the community is aware that they are still active during the Covid-19 restrictions. People are being urged to call the 999 service as normal – especially if they are experiencing unusual pains in their chest, upper arms, jaw or neck.
The first responders, who carry a defibrillator along with other basic medical equipment, are based in Keswick and the surrounding villages and ready to attend call outs at any time, providing initial care and help for patients until an ambulance arrives.
Anyone interested in finding out more about becoming a First Responder or who would like to support the group in any way should contact team leader Jackie Knights at [email protected]
