The team have been taking up the opportunities offered for extra training. We have attended special upskills sessions on both adult and child basic life support, we have had another visit from the Consultant in Pre-Hospital Care, Mark Ainsworth-Smith who spoke to 30 local CFR’s on the subject of Trauma, and we are due to have additional training in paediatric care of the unwell child.
We are asking those who are enjoying their break in the New Forest camping and caravan sites to ask whether there is a defibrillator on their site. We know some have, but others do not have one and we are keen to know why. They save lives and will only operate when needed. They cannot do harm. Without intervention a person in cardiac arrest will die. Too many lives are being wasted for want of a Defib and someone having a go at Hands Only CPR.
On 1st August we visited the Caravan and Motorhome Club Centenary site (who do have a defibrillator on site) to show the visitors the Education Ambulance and how CPR and defibrillation saves lives. We also explained about the role of local CFR’s, and on 4th August we were present at the Burley Show doing the same thing. We may have a new volunteer for Burley and we hope to hear from them in the not too distant future.
After a 3 month hold on recruiting CFR’s, the ambulance service have now put in place their new recruiting process for those wishing to become a CFR. If you are interested in becoming a CFR in our area, and you live in Bransgore, Sopley, Burley or surrounding areas, initially please contact us on 0844 500 9699 and will have an informal chat with you about the role and what is expected. When ready to apply please call 0800 587 0207 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for an application pack from South Central Ambulance Service. You are likely to be invited to a recruitment day where you will have an informal interview, actually have a go at some CPR (don’t worry – they show you how), be processed for your DBS clearance and measured for a uniform (which saves us lots of work). They have the final say on who is accepted. Go on.... you can do it! We have.