St John Ambulance on Standby at Notting Hill Carnival to Help People Keep Safe While They Party

As Europe's biggest street party swings into action in the Capital, St John Ambulance will join forces with the London Ambulance Service to keep the visitors to Notting Hill Carnival safe while they party over the weekend.

With around one million revellers expected to attend the Carnival, over 200 trained St John Ambulance first aiders, nurses, doctors, paramedics and ambulance crews will ensure any partygoer who needs support receives it.

Ten treatment centres will be strategically positioned along the Carnival route, ready to treat minor injuries such as cuts and blisters, as well as potentially life threatening medical emergencies such as cardiac arrest, diabetic emergencies or seizures, which have been a feature of past events.

St John Ambulance will also be staffing 15 ambulances and working closely with the London Ambulance Service to provide Medical Response Teams (MRT) who are specially trained to work in large crowds. The high-tech treatment centres will have life support facilities similar to those of a military field hospital, including medical gases and automated external defibrillators.

Mike Gibbons, West London district manager for London St John Ambulance, said: “The huge crowds can enjoy the carnival atmosphere in safety with feathers, sequins, calypso bands and sound systems, knowing our volunteers will be ready to provide lifesaving support to anyone who needs it.”

He adds “If a medical emergency occurs it is best to go to one of the treatment centres rather than dialling 999, as it can be difficult to find patients in the crowds.”

ENDS

Casualty figures treated by St John Ambulance volunteers will be available from the London Ambulance Service.

Notes to editors

About St John Ambulance

As the nation's leading first aid charity, St John Ambulance believes that nobody should die because they needed first aid and didn't get it. Yet every year thousands of people die in situations where first aid could have given them a chance to live. St John Ambulance teaches people first aid so that they can be the difference.

For more information visit sja.org.uk or telephone 08700 10 49 50.

Press Contact:

For further information or interviews please contact:

Chloe Goddard, St. John Ambulance PR Officer, London 07764945011 chloe.goddard@sja.org.uk

Out-of-hours media enquiries 07860 711679 .