Praise for life and death training

EMERGENCY training which helps police in Warrington deal with “life and death” situations has been praised.
Chairman of Cheshire Police Authority Margaret Ollerenshaw and the authority’s vice chairman, Adrian Walmsley watched officers rescue a “casualty” who was unconscious inside a car and then treat another “semi-conscious” person who had been knocked down by the vehicle.
The training sessions, co-ordinated by the Countess of Chester Hospital and involving instructors from emergency care and front-line paramedics, are provided for officers who respond to firearms incidents and serious road traffic collisions.
Ms Ollerenshaw said: “They are the type of situations where a life may be hanging in the balance but, for security reasons, a paramedic may not be able to get to the scene.
“It is vital that casualties are treated within the “golden hours” in cases of serious trauma – but moving an injured person needs extreme care and some knowledge of various injuries. The authority is keen to ensure that officers have these specialist skills.”
John Bethel, hospital resuscitation manager, set the scene of the casualty’s symptoms and questioned the officers about their actions.
Adrian Walmsley said: “Both scenarios involved casualties whose condition rapidly deteriorated. In real life the pressure would be enormous. In these situations, the life of a colleague, a member of the public, or of an offender, may depend on what steps the officers take. Training is paramount and it is very thorough.”
Pictured: Margaret Ollerenshaw and Adrian Walmsley watch police officers attend a “road traffic collision victim” under the supervision of John Bethel.