St John Ambulance volunteers will be out in force over the Bank Holiday weekend, providing a life-saving first aid service at the Notting Hill Carnival.

In the lead-up to Europe’s biggest street party, the nation’s leading first aid charity is working alongside the London Ambulance Service (LAS) to make sure revellers are kept safe during the celebrations.

With around two million people expected to attend the carnival, more than 170 St John Ambulance first aiders, nurses, doctors, paramedics and ambulance crews will be on duty each day to help anyone needing medical attention.

Eight treatment centres will be strategically positioned along the carnival route, with high-tech treatment centres housing life support facilities including medical gases and automated external defibrillators.

St John Ambulance will also be staffing 12 ambulances and working in partnership with the LAS to provide Medical Response Teams who are specially trained to work in large, dense crowds.

St John Ambulance staff at the Notting Hill Carival last year

There will also be Cycle Response Unit volunteers on duty, providing pedal-powered first aid in places where ambulances may struggle to quickly gain access.

Mike Gibbons, west London district manager for London St John Ambulance, said: "While it’s party time for most people, for us it’s a huge undertaking, requiring intense use of our resources and often our most advanced medical skills.

Grenfell and Notting Hill Carnival

"We need to be geared up for every imaginable medical emergency from a cut finger to a cardiac arrest. Our mission is to make sure anyone who needs medical help receives fast and effective first aid."

Anyone needing medical help should make their way to one of the St John Ambulance treatment centres – the official Notting Hill Carnival app shows their locations and is available free from app stores.

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