Vital Lifesaving Equipment for Public Use
The Rotary Club is spearheading a campaign for better access to emergency treatment for heart attacks and sudden cardiac arrest in Newton Aycliffe. They are organising Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training and have bought a Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) from their charitable funds.
After taking advice from the Ambulance Service and the British Heart Foundation they are pressing on with their ambitious project. According to the British Heart Foundation, without help a person could die in minutes from a severe heart attack or a cardiac arrest. Every minute without CPR and/or Defibrillation reduces survival rate by 10%
People think they know how to administer CPR but are often too afraid to try or feel out of practice. The modern PAD’s assess the patient, talk to the lifesaver and only gives a shock if required. They are simple to use by anyone without training. A life could be saved while waiting for an ambulance.
Tesco are always ready to help the community, and offered to house the defibrillator in their store (saving money on vandal proof casing) and also provide training rooms as required. Being central and open almost 24/7 the Rotary Club felt it the ideal location for the defibrillator. An official handover and information event is planned for September, at the store where names can be taken for CPR training.
A spokesperson for Rotary said ‘We have lost 3 respected and long standing members of our club this year from heart problems. What better legacy to leave the community they served than a defibrillator which can save lives”.
More defibrillators could be provided if funds and ideal locations are found. The Rotary Club are hosting a Charity Night at the British Legion Club to boost funds on 30th October. Tickets available soon – £5 inc entertainment & supper.
Rotarian Jill Thompson (centre) hands over the Defibrillator to Tesco Custoemr Service staff Joe Riley and Shirley McCormick
