A teacher, a nurse and a chemist are among newly trained volunteers on call to help save lives in north Kingston.

Five KT2 residents have so far qualified as community first aiders, who will be called to 999 emergencies within a three-mile radius to treat patients before ambulance crews arrive.

The volunteers, who are equipped with a defibrillator and oxygen, will start work when they receive cards to prove they have completed their training with St John Ambulance.

Alan Pettitt, a 57-year-old consultant chemist who has already qualified, started working three four-hour shifts a week from his Lower Ham Road home in December.

He said: “The sort of things I have done include two epileptics. You have any number that come in with breathing difficulties.

“It could be asthma or someone having a heart attack. You don’t know until you get on the scene.

“The idea is we have some people who work day shifts and some work night shifts. With a bit of luck we can cover 24-7.”

He said the survival rate for heart attack victims drops 10 per cent for every minute treatment is delayed.

London ambulances are expected to respond to emergency calls within eight minutes.

Team members are provided with uniforms and magnetic badges to put on their cars to show they are on medical duty, and attend fortnightly training sessions to keep their skills sharp.

However, they are not called to road traffic accidents, or incidents involving drink, drugs or the threat of violence.

New volunteer Martin Smith told members of the Tudor Area Residents’ Association Kingston (Tarak) about the scheme at its AGM last week.

Chairwoman Judith Pottinger said: “It’s great to know about this support for the community, and I’m grateful to residents who have taken on this commitment.

“The general consensus after the meeting was that it’s very reassuring.”

For information on joining the scheme, contact alanchemist@btinternet.com.