We have successfully applied for a defibrillator, with the help of the British Heart Foundation, and it is being installed for use by the public on the outside of the New Horizon Centre on Wednesday 5 March. It’s taken us a while to find the right scheme and we are so pleased that this one has been supplied free of charge. We are very grateful for the support of Councillor Peter McCabe and the British Heart Foundation.
A defibrillator is a device that gives a jolt of energy to the heart. It helps get the heart beating again when someone is in cardiac arrest and their heart has stopped.
You might also hear it being called a defib, a PAD (public access defibrillator) or an AED (automated external defibrillator).
If someone is in cardiac arrest, call 999 and start CPR. If you’re on your own, do not interrupt CPR to go and find a defibrillator. If it’s possible, send someone else to find one. When you call 999, the operator can tell you if there’s a public access defibrillator nearby.
Anyone can use a defibrillator. You do not need training. Once you turn it on, it will give clear step-by-step voice instructions.
Many defibrillators also have visual prompts and images showing how to use it.
The device checks the person’s heart rhythm and will only tell you to give them a shock if it’s needed. You cannot shock yourself or someone else accidentally.
We agreed the Pollards Hill Community Partnership that this area was in need of an accessible defibrillator and so we are delighted that we have completed this step and our commitment to make Pollards Hill a safer, pleasanter place.
