PARAMEDICS are preparing to fight back with a pioneering new water safety strategy after being left high and dry by floods over recent years.

Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service is determined not to be found wanting if floods strike again in the region.

It has put together a team of 11 paramedics who have been given water safety training, and 10 more will soon be joining them.

All front-line ambulances now contain life jackets and throw lines, and paramedics will be able to reach patients earlier than they can at the moment.

The new strategy is thought to be the first of its kind in the country. It could help save the lives of people who would otherwise be out of reach of treatment, according to project leader Pete Crocker.

"During the floods of 2000 and 2001, we were found wanting in relation to our ability to deliver patient care," he said.

"It was acceptable then because the floods caught a lot of people out. But if it happened again, the public would be asking why we can't deliver care."

Hit harder

Mr Crocker, locality manager for South Worcestershire Ambulance Service, said Worcestershire and Herefordshire had been hit harder than most other areas in recent years.

He said the effects of global warming also made it important for the ambulance service to take action.

The service has spent £12,000 equipping and training staff so far, and more will be spent training the new members of the water safety team and sending them on refresher courses.

In addition, the service is creating better links with other emergency services to ensure paramedics can get to sick people rather than having to wait for them to be brought to dry land.

The ultimate aim is to be able to deal with all emergencies equally, with water not proving to be a serious obstacle to emergency care.

"We used to be unable to get to any patient to make an assessment of them until they were brought on to dry land," said Mr Crocker.

"We had to rely on the fire service rescuing them. This put unreasonable pressure on them. Now, we've set the benchmark for other services."