Sheffield University medical students are lifesavers

Medical students in Sheffield are proving to be lifesavers - after signing up as Community First Responders to give emergency first in their neighbourhoods.
Students sign up to save livesStudents sign up to save lives
Students sign up to save lives

Students at the University of Sheffield have signed up to the scheme, run by Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, to provide life-saving care to members of their local communities before an ambulance arrives.

Heart attack victims and people with breathing difficulties are among those the students are trained to help.

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They are trained in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation and the use of a defibrillator, which delivers a controlled electric shock to restart the heart.

Community First Responders also carry portable oxygen.

Since the partnership was formed in January, the medical students have been on call for over 200 hours and have attended incidents where they have provided assistance to stroke victims and patients with conditions such as chest pains and breathing problems.

Emma Scott, Community Defibrillation Officer at Yorkshire Ambulance Service, said: “We know that in many medical emergencies the first few minutes are critical. If effective treatment can be performed within those first minutes, lives can be saved and disability reduced.

“It has been a pleasure to work with these enthusiastic, bright young people. They have conducted themselves with great professionalism during training and the first few weeks of activity. I am confident they will continue to provide a positive service to the people of Sheffield.”

So far 42 students have joined the scheme, with more limned up top join over the next few weeks.