By Isle of Wight Observer
The Isle of Wight NHS Trust Ambulance Training & Community Response Services (ATCoRS) are urging those who are responsible for a Public Access Defibrillator to check it is ready for use.
With over 30,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests happening each year in the UK and 80% of them in homes, it’s vital that people can access their local defibrillator if required and most importantly it is ready for use.
Louise Walker, Ambulance Education, Training & Engagement Lead said: “Sadly Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) will happen, as it always did before COVID-19. The ATCoRS team are currently carrying out weekly checks on the hundreds of defibrillators located on the Island, many of which are privately owned, to ensure they are ready for use. An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) otherwise known as a PAD will self-test and visually indicates if it is ready for use or not. Therefore it only takes a few minutes to carry out a PAD check but could make such a difference to someone’s life. We are grateful to those PAD owners who are already completing checks. Co-Responders and
Volunteer Community First Responders are also acting as PAD guardians to help the ATCoRS team but extra vigilance is required”.
If you have any queries please contact ATCoRS: Tel. (01983) 534111 or email iownt.atcors@nhs.net
For more information regarding CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and amendments to make for COVID 19 please click here.
