"You mean, you actually do this for nothing?!"
From the most demanding emergencies - a cardiac arrest in a slurry tank, a shocking explosion on a narrowboat, a medical crisis threatening to derail a wedding - to the wonderfully weird jobs which are difficult to classify, like "Man eaten by sofa," Lyn Sharpe recounts her extraordinary career as a Community First Responder (CFR) on the frontline of community care.
When disaster strikes, and the nearest ambulance is miles away, volunteers like Lyn are the first on the scene. For two decades, she has answered the call, rushing to time-critical incidents in her own car, armed with a defibrillator, a kit bag, and the knowledge to save lives - all without the aid of a blue light or siren.
Lyn describes many of the emergencies she has attended, the difficulties she has faced, and some of the people she has met amongst the more than 5000 cases she has been assigned to over the years. There is humour mixed in with the horrors and frustrations, shocks and stoicism she has encountered, all without financial reward and little recognition. Soon forgotten, the CFR rarely hears the outcome of a job, but they have been able to alleviate anxiety, treat what they have found, and act as Eyes-On for the ambulance crew en route.
Describing family trauma or dealing with dead bodies creates strong visual and emotional scenes, but Lyn's style of writing is easy, honest, and often whimsical. The reader may shudder at times, but they will recognise why CFRs have become such an asset within most UK ambulance services these days. Whilst Lyn has changed names and locations in her account to protect the privacy of those involved, her stories are all based upon truth.
​​​​​​​This is an illuminating account for those who don't know Community First Responders exist, and a fuller story for those who do.
