THE lives of people living in Lancaster and Morecambe could be saved by the public thanks to an initiative from Lancashire's Ambulance Service. Bosses at the service are getting ready to launch the new, fund-raising, Save A Life appeal aimed at training the public to help out with vital first-aid in emergency situations. David Hill, the Lancashire Ambulance chief executive, explained: "The detailed planning of the appeal is now in hand. Its aim will be to save many more lives in emergency situations."

The project will work in three ways:

by training large numbers of the public in basic emergency life support, including cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), over the next few years.

by training and equipping staff and volunteers within the community in the use of life-saving equipment.

by major improvements to the county's ambulance service including the introduction of additional fast response paramedic units.

Mr Hill added: "Training the public in basic emergency life support and CPR will not only help to save many lives from cardiac or respiratory arrest victims but also from many day emergencies in the home, the workplace, on our roads or in the high street.

"Trained bystanders who see somebody collapse or who assist a victim of an accident are in a position to keep a victim alive long enough for the ambulance service to reach the scene and take over."

The Save a Life appeal is set to get into full swing later this year with fund-raising and training events. Watch this space.

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