PLANS to establish a new community-based team of volunteer life-savers for villages north of Lowestoft has won the go-ahead.But now Lothingland First Responder scheme needs to recruit its volunteers, and raise about �1700 for vital life-saving equipment.

PLANS to establish a new community-based team of volunteer life-savers for villages north of Lowestoft has won the go-ahead.

But now Lothingland First Responder scheme needs to recruit its volunteers, and raise about �1700 for vital life-saving equipment.

First Responder groups are made up of people who, within the community in which they live or work, have been trained to attend emergency calls received by the NHS Ambulance Service. Because they are locally-based, they can be first at the scene and provide potentially lifesaving treatment and first aid until an emergency ambulance arrives.

First responders are usually trained to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), provide Oxgygen and use other lifesaving equipment to maintain patient stability until the arrival of the professional paramedics.

In general, they are sent to immediate life threatening situations such as cardiac arrest but they are never sent to scenes of domestic violence and would not typically attend road accidents or incidents involving children under seven.

The new Lothingland scheme, given the go-ahead by the East of England Ambulance Trust, would cover Blundeston, Lound, Corton, Hopton, Somerleyton, Herringfleet, Flixton, Browston Green, St Olaves, Fritton, Belton and Burgh Castle,.

But it must first recruit a minimum of five first responders. About �1700 is also required to purchase an AED - which costs �1200 -a pulse oximeter, a medical backpack, a Res-q-Vac rescusitator, pocket masks, and blankets.

John Lucas, the group coordinator, said: 'A First Responder can be the difference between life and death for someone who falls seriously ill, and that could be a close friend or neighbour, so we're hopeful that people in the Lothingland area will see how vital the service can be and help us to get up and running. Without public donations, we won't be able to function.'

If you can help, contact John Lucas on: 07909-220247 or by e-mail at: sosresponder@live.co.uk

For more information, visit: www.LothinglandResponders.org