Life-saving defibrillator now at Bromsgrove leisure centre (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)
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Life-saving defibrillator now at Bromsgrove leisure centre
2:00pm Thursday 18th October 2012 in News
Life saving: Diane Pearson, community first response trainer, Donna Stokes from the British Heart Foundation, train Ryland Centre staff members Neil Duggan and Michelle Jones. Ref:s
A POTENTIALLY life-saving defibrillator has gone into a Bromsgrove leisure centre following a generous donation.
The defibrillator has been installed at the Ryland Centre, in New Road, after being provided by the Redditch and Bromsgrove Clinical Commission Group.
The machine gives centre staff access to the vital life-saving equipment, which could increase the chance of survival if used quickly if someone suffers a cardiac arrest on the premises.
The centre’s staff have been trained to use the machine, which has been placed in a central point near to where customers are playing sport and undertaking physical activity.
The defibrillator, which costs around £1,000, works by delivering a controlled electric shock through the chest wall, shocking the heart back into a normal rhythm.
After a cardiac arrest, the defibrillation needs to be prompt as for every minute that passes the chances of survival decreases by around 10 per cent.
Donna Stokes, BHF fund-raising volunteer manager, said: “It’s fantastic that the Ryland Centre now has access to a defibrillator.
“Having more defibrillators available locally for these emergencies is crucial to saving more lives and we are very grateful for the funding for this equipment from the group.”
Ryland Centre’s general manager, Michelle Jones, added: "We hope that this machine, along with our fully trained staff, will reassure our customers that they are in safe hands at the centre."
Other organisations who would like to apply for similar life-saving equipment should visit bhf.org.uk/defibs.
