Oxfordshire NHS Ambulance Trust are launching the scheme

Oxfordshire NHS Ambulance Trust is launching the scheme in Oxford on Tuesday for people who may not have any specialist medical experience.

Volunteers will be trained over a period of six months to respond to emergencies such as heart attacks until ambulance crews reach the scene.

The scheme is being extended after a successful three month pilot.

As they will be living within a three-mile radius, it is likely they will be able to reach the incident before the ambulance. Helen Robinson, Oxfordshire NHS Ambulance Trust

An Oxford man whose life was saved by one of the team will help promote the service at the launch.

Paul Clarm was staying with his parents in Wantage - about 12 miles from Oxford with no ambulance station - when he suffered a severe asthma attack.

By the time paramedics arrived he had already had a full cardiac arrest.

He survived because one of the specially-trained volunteers had been alerted by ambulance control and arrived on the scene in time to save his life.

Helen Robinson, of Oxfordshire NHS Ambulance Trust, said the volunteers must pass physical and written tests as well as police checks.

'Anyone can apply'

While on a 24 or 48-hour period of duty, the volunteers will carry a defibrillator, a comprehensive first aid pack and a reflective jacket.

"Once the ambulance is despatched, another operator in the control room will already be contacting the responder nearest that incident.

"As they will be living within a three-mile radius, it is likely they will be able to reach the incident before the ambulance.

"They will be able to administer CPR, use the defibrillator to shock people, or use first aid to stop bleeding."

"Anyone can apply to join - they don't have to have first aid knowledge or be a member of the St John's Ambulance."