Air ambulance paramedics based in Epping Forest are being equipped with new high-tech ultrasound scanners to help tackle cardiac arrests.

The Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust, partially based at North Weald Airfield, hopes to help save more lives on the scene and in its helicopters with the new kit.

Cardiac arrests account for almost a third of all calls to the trust.

Paramedics are currently being trained to use the portable ultrasound technology, which will allow them to accurately tailor care to patients.

Clinical director of the trust, Stuart Elms, said: “Our aim is to make as much use of ultrasound as we currently do of stethoscopes – whether they are cardiac, medical or trauma patients – the insight the new technology gives us at the scene will help us improve outcomes for many more patients.”