WEYMOUTH’S cycling paramedic is back for the summer.

The Cycle Response Unit (CRU) operated by South Western Ambulance has been running for almost 10 years and has proved to be a lifesaver in the summer months as visitors flock to the resort.

A paramedic on two wheels is able to get to emergencies on the seafront and beach quickly, manoeuvring through crowds to get to casualties. The service has been supported by local businesses in the past.

The ambulance service has teamed up with Weymouth-based medical supply company Medisave to update some of its equipment.

The first donation of the equipment, totalling approximately £600 in partnership with the equipment manufacturers, includes a state-of-the-art electronic stethoscope.

Lead paramedic at Weymouth Ambulance Station Matt Care said: “The CRU is just one of the additional measures we have in place in preparation for the Olympic and Paralympic sailing events.

“Other additional resources include extra frontline ambulances, rapid response cars, motorbikes and of course additional staff.

“I am very pleased to announce the CRU will be operational again this summer throughout July and August, as it has the capability to access patients quickly via pedestrianised areas and road closures.”

The CRU is fully-equipped with emergency equipment including airway kit, oxygen and a cardiac defibrillator, and will be staffed by qualified paramedics.

Mr Care said the stethoscope is a top of the range 3M Littmann, which will be beneficial when assessing patients in noisy environments such as at a live music venue or at Weymouth Carnival . The stethoscope electronically amplifies the sounds and has the ability to record sounds for immediate playback.

Medisave has also donated a brand new Nonin pulse oximeter, essential to help monitor a patient’s respiratory status, and robust enough to withstand daily use in pre-hospital ambulance situations. The third donation is a professional Riester diagnostic set.

Matt Denton, of Medisave UK Ltd, said: “We are very pleased to be able to support such a worthwhile scheme.

“We have supported the Weymouth CRU on a number of occasions and being a local company we see the massive benefit the CRU will bring to Weymouth during the very busy Olympic and summer period.

“We are a global organisation but Weymouth is our home town, and we are especially proud of being able to support the local community with this donation.”