IF I’m honest, I’m still not entirely sure why I decided to train to be a community first responder. Speaking to my parents and friends, some say it is one of the last things they would have thought I would have wanted to do.

My mum – a nurse who was, I’m sure, convinced that I take after my father, who hasn’t the greatest relationship with needles, blood and all things medical – must still be somewhat bemused, but is obviously supportive of my decision. But speaking to others who took the CFR course with me earlier this year, I think the one thing we shared in common was more the fear of not knowing what to do if we saw someone needing our help than the possibility of being faced with a situation where the person in front of us was very poorly indeed.

In fact, if you speak to those around you, how many do you know who could do CPR (ardiopulmonary resuscitation), have had up-to-date first aid training, or even know how to use a defibrillator machine for cardiac arrest? The results may shock you.

For those who are unaware of what a CFR does, we are trained by the ambulance service to a nationally recognised level, to provide life-saving treatment to people in our community. While ambulance control staff send the ambulance, they contact the CFR on duty in the patient’s community, who can then give treatment while the ambulance is on its way.

So potentially I, and those others taking and completing the course, could end up saving the life of one of our neighbours – or just offering a bit of first aid care and calm while waiting for the ambulance to turn up.

Many CFRs, like myself, live in quite rural parts of the county, so the knowledge that we could really make a difference is at the forefront of our minds.

The training takes place over three to four full weekends at sites across Herefordshire and Worcestershire and is run by Noel Orbell, the community response manager for West Midlands Ambulance Service.

Training is very intense and covers subjects ranging from basic life support to using a defibrillation machine, trauma-related injuries and assisting the paramedic. It is then topped off with a written and practical exam.

Mr Orbell said there are currently about 142 CFRs in the two counties, but they were always looking for new recruits.

He said: “We look for all people to take part and they basically fill the void between the 999 call until the ambulance arrives. People tend to think that every case is blood and gore, but it is not the whole job.

Sometimes they just need a little TLC or oxygen therapy, which CFRs are also trained to do and are given the kit bags – which includes a defib machine – to help them treat a patient with first aid.

“CFRs really are an invaluable part of the community and do help save lives.

There were about 13 people from across the two counties on my course from all walks of life – ranging from housewives to a sandwich shop owner.

Anyone can sign up as long as they are aged between 18 and 70, are reasonably fit and healthy and can pass a criminal records bureau check, interview and are prepared to give up some of their time.

On my course was teacher Keith Buncle, aged 50, from Kidderminster, who has been faced with a number of situations where lives have been at risk and has enjoyed improving his skills.

He said: “It’s the gap in the knowledge that I have filled and to be able to put something back into the community. There can be nothing better than to help somebody, even sustain or prolong life. But for me it’s the fear of not knowing what to do if the situation arises. Being able to do something is better than just standing there and feeling helpless.”

To finish off the training, CFRs need to spend about 16 hours with the ambulance service on call with paramedics and technicians to see how they deal with emergencies.

I managed to go on one busy Friday night in Worcestershire and helped with incidents including a woman who had a bottle smashed on her head, an elderly lady who fell backwards down some stairs, a club bouncer who was suffering from chest pains and a man who had taken an overdose.

For the crews, this can be an ordinary night’s work, but it was quite an eye-opener to the incredible work they do.

I’ve now completed my training and have my kit bag ready for the first time I officially act as a CFR.

But even before this managed to happen, just this Sunday, I was one of the first people on the scene of a motorbike accident near Droitwich where a woman was airlifted to hospital. I was not only grateful that I had my kitbag and oxygen in my car to help treat the patient, but also that I was able to help.

Rather than being scared of not knowing what to do, I could assist, even in just a small way, until the ambulance crews arrived.

● The CFR kit, which contains a defibrillator, costs about £1,200 and I’m trying to raise that sum to go towards training and equipment.

If you would like to help, please send a cheque made payable to Hereford and Worcester Community Responders c/o Claire Fry, Worcester News, Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JX.

To find out more about the CFR course, e-mail noel.orbell@wmas.

nhs.uk. Hereford and Worcester First Responders is a registered charity (charity number 1124035) and all money received will go to help the charity in Worcestershire.