A new community first responder group has been launched at Low Row in Swaledale by Richmond MP Rishi Sunak.
Community first responders (CFRs) are volunteers trained in life-saving techniques and to use defibrillators, administer oxygen and carry out cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
In isolated rural areas like the Yorkshire Dales they can often reach a patient to give life-saving assistance within a few minutes, while an ambulance or paramedic is on the way.
The new group was launched at an open day held at Low Row Institute.
Mr Sunak was shown the backpacks of portable equipment the CFRs carry and had the chance to brush up on his CPR technique while meeting the team members.
He said: "I was hugely impressed by the skills and commitment of the volunteers who come from all walks of life. This is a tremendous community service and I hope more people come forward to help."
The CFR scheme is assisted and co-ordinated by the Yorkshire Ambulance Service which trains the volunteers and updates skill levels on a regular basis.
YAS CFR co-ordinator for northern North Yorkshire, Patrick Murphy, said he was delighted the Low Row group was up and running but more volunteers would be welcome.
He said local knowledge of area and terrain were vitally important but there ws no requirement for volunteers to have any knowledge of first aid as all the necessary equipment and training was supplied by the NHS through the Yorkshire Ambulance Service.
A rota is organised to cover as much of the week as possible and each volunteer gives as much or as little time as suits their circumstances. The new Low Row group, maintaining close links with the existing Reeth group, will increase the area of the dales covered by this important service.
Mr Murphy said there were more than 160 people trained as CFRs in his area which stretched from Hawes to Great Ayton and as far south as Boroughbridge.
To find out more about becoming a CFR in the Low Row area group contact Richard Lewis on rikandsheila@aol.com or phone 01748-886112.