A GROUP of volunteers are preparing to go live with a project designed to provide emergency medical aid in their community.

Twelve "first responders" have been receiving training from ambulance service paramedic Pete Shaw, in Melsonby, near Richmond, since the end of last year.

They are now ready to assist north Richmondshire by helping casualties during the time between making an emergency 999 call and an ambulance arriving.

"In this part of the world, it can take up to half an hour for an ambulance to arrive," said volunteer co-ordinator Judith Stansfield.

"In the case of cardiac arrest, breathing problems or chest pain, getting medical help within eight minutes will significantly improve the patient's chances of survival."

Equipped with their training and emergency aid kit, which includes oxygen and a defibrillator, the duty first responder will be contacted by ambulance control at the same time a crew is despatched.

They will then make their way to the patient's home and administer life support procedures until the paramedics arrive.

They are trained to treat cardiac arrests, choking, breathing difficulties, chest pain and patients suffering fits - but not to deal with road accidents, known trauma incidents or children under the age of 16.

The volunteers have been recruited by the district council-supported Community Investment Prospectus group, which involves local people identifying ways of improving the quality of life in their area.

As well as starting their own first responder scheme, North Richmondshire CIP has helped launch a cross-village magazine, introduced a series of educational and leisure courses in the villages, and is looking at out-of-school provision in the area, and improving play facilities in Melsonby.

The district council secured the funding for the course, and supplied detailed maps of the villages covered by the first responders.

The original group of first responders in the district was set up by the Wensleydale CIP last year.

North Richmondshire First Responders will each shadow an ambulance crew on their shift before putting their newly-acquired lifesaving skills into action next month.