VOLUNTEERS are needed to provide life-saving treatment in the vital minutes before an ambulance arrives.

First Responders are given full training before they go on call to deal with emergencies in their area.

The team uses resuscitation techniques and defibrilators to treat patients who suffer a heart attack. Volunteers are called out at the same time as the ambulance service, but may arrive on the scene first as they live nearby - hence the name.

Ian Douthwaite is Hawkwell Heartstart's recruitment manager and has been a First Responder for six years.

He said: "It made sense to me. It made me think I can contribute to my community and make a positive impact'.

"However, I've found it can go beyond the community - I've also helped someone who collapsed on a train I was on and attended an accident on the A12 when I was nearby."

First Responders receive a free day's training, normally on a Saturday. Training includes assessing an incident, making a survey of a patient, and using resuscitation techniques.

Mr Douthwaite said the role was important, because it really could make the difference between life and death.

He added: "When you get called out, you don't know what to expect - perhaps all you know is it's a person with chest pains.

"I have been to three cardiac arrests and given oxygen, which in one case, saved the life of a man in Ashingdon, who would have died had I not been on call."

The Hawkwell Heartstart group is holding an open day on Saturday for anyone interested in becoming a First Responder. The event runs from 10am until 3pm at Clements Hall Leisure Centre, in Clements Hall Way, Hawkwell.