A mission to provide 24-hour Public Access lifesaving equipment, and free CPR and Defibrillator training, is well on the way to being realised. The project was to provide several community venues with equipment and training that can assist our emergency services with “The Chain of Survival” – Dial 999, give CPR, use a defibrillator, hand over to the Professionals. Every year in the UK there are 350,000 heart attacks, 100,000 fatal. Young, old, fit, or unfit, all can be at risk. Over 20% happen in a public place like Community venues. In 42% of cases someone was on hand who has had CPR training, but this means in 58% of the cases no one did, so it would be better if we had more people trained in the basics! Even with good CPR only, time is critical, your odds of survival after ten minutes can be as low as less than 5%. If a defibrillator could be available within the same time you, or a loved one’s survival odds could go up to 70%.
The project started by Community Activist David Sutton-Lloyd is a great example of Community Partnership. Supported by generous public funding from Woodham, Great Aycliffe and Middridge Area Action Partnership, Woodham Community Centre, County Councillor John Clare, former County Councillor’s Joan Gray, and Mike Dixon, GATC, Middridge Parish Council, PCP Centre, Greenfield Community College, The Village Pharmacy, and Horndale Residents. The first Newton Aycliffe External 24-hour Public access defibrillators have now been fitted to the outside walls of, the Bay Horse Middridge, Greenfield Community College, The PCP Centre, and Woodham Village Community Centre. They become available to the public by telephoning 999 to get the access code. Another unit is held inside Greenfield Convenience Store, and another held by Woodham Village Community Centre as a back-up and for use at community events.
Whilst making more defibrillators available in our area is important (St Clares with help from the Rotary Club are fitting another 24hour unit), awareness about their use, and locations are equally important. Woodham Community Centre volunteers Tim, Jeff, Mike, and David have been at various community venues to inform the public further, and to encourage them to take up the free dedicated CPR and Defibrillator courses on offer. So far 101 people have been trained by Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service at courses lasting about two hours. These are being arranged on different days, Mornings, Afternoons, Evenings and even Saturdays, so that people can have a chance to take part. Giving about two hours of your time to learn what to do in an emergency could mean so much to some person or family in the future, the chances are very high that it will be a member of your own family, or someone you know well. Would you know what to do in an emergency?
We are over one third of the way through the free training program and we hope that people will take the opportunity to join in. Free CPR and Defibrillator Courses will be advertised AND the next sessions are at The Pioneer Care Centre on Wednesday August 9th 10am to 12-30pm and 1-30 to 4-30 on Friday August 25th 10am to 12-30pm – BOTH NOW FULL It is so important that people are made aware of the locations of these potential lifesaving units, so with the co-operation of Newton News we have produced a map. Any organisations that have defibrillators and want to be included on this map please email: paul@newtonnews.co.uk Whilst this project and others have recently given a better spread of units, we still need more and hope that other groups will be encouraged to follow this example. For more information or to arrange a visit please contact “Defibrillator Dave” on 01325 316144 or woodham.community@gmail.com
