AN ambulanceman has started a life-saving scheme in Dewsbury.
Shazaad Ali, 27, has joined forces with a project called Heartstart UK to offer free life-saving skills to people living in the Dewsbury area.
The scheme, backed by the British Heart Foundation, trains the general public in basic life-saving skills.
Shazaad, 27 - who is now training as a paramedic - is a qualified first aid instructor and said it was vital people knew what to do in an emergency.
He said: "Coming across an accident or watching someone suffer a heart attack - particularly if you know the patient - is extremely distressing and as a bystander you can feel totally helpless.
"But if you know some basic first aid and resuscitation skills your prompt action could make the difference between life and death."
Heartstart UK has well over 800 schemes countrywide.
UK regional co-ordinator Kevin Fitzpatrick said: "Shazaad heard about our work through the British Heart Foundation and came to us offering to set up a local scheme.
"Naturally we jumped at the chance and have now provided him with the equipment, guidance, resources and insurance needed to get the project off the ground.
"All we need now is for the people of Dewsbury and the surrounding area to come along and take part."
Shazaad has managed to get the support of a number of colleagues from the ambulance service as well as a pharmacist and a family doctor.
Together they will give up their time, skills and knowledge to help improve the safe- ty of the whole community.
Around 300,000 people in the UK have a heart attack each year - that's about one every two minutes. About half of all heart attacks are fatal.
The scheme is open to people living in Mirfield, Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury, Batley, Heckmondwike, Shaw Cross and Cleckheaton.
For more information contact Shazaad Ali on 07968 764689.
