AN IT worker who set up an emergency first aid group in Bramley has received funding to buy vital medical equipment to help save lives.

Earlier this year David Brand, 21, started up a Bramley Community Responders group, who attend medical emergencies in their community and perform emergency first aid until an ambulance arrives.

Mr Brand applied to the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), in Aldermaston, to fund a second kit bag which includes masks, airways, an oxygen tank and bandages, and was given £500 by the company’s community committee to cover the cost.

Mr Brand, of Kirby Drive, Sherfield-on-Loddon, said: “Having the second kit bag means we can be more flexible in our response, with responders attending more than one incident at a time.”

After reading an article about the scheme in January Mr Brand contacted South Central Ambulance Service and found out there was no group in the area so decided to set one up.

He said: “I have no medical qualifications other than my training for this.

“I have attended cardiac arrests, burns, children in distress – we get sent to everything except violent incidents and vehicle crashes.

“Usually we are dispatched to the immediate surrounding areas of Bramley and Sherfield-on-Loddon – however we may be requested to attend incidents in Tadley, Chineham or anywhere we can be of assistance.”

Responders go on a two-day training course with an assessment at the end, and ongoing training is available.

Volunteers need to be physically able to perform CPR and have a full UK driving licence.

Each responder is issued with a pager and telephone. Once a call is placed through 999 in the area, the operator puts a call through to the pager of their responder on duty with details, followed by a telephone call.

Mr Brand, who is an IT solutions architect, said: “At the moment there are two of us but the other volunteer is about to leave to join the ambulance service full-time. I am also leaving my job to pursue a career in the ambulance service, I have found something I really enjoy, but I will continue to run the group.”

Anyone interested in the Bramley scheme can contact Mr Brand, on 07827778998 or email Dave @BCResponders.co.uk