New defibrillator in the village

The Parish Council has purchased a community defibrillator which was installed today (6 May)  on the outside wall at the toilet block and is available 24 hours a day. It is not locked. The defibrillator is designed for community use. We are very grateful to Somerset Prepared who have made a significant contribution to the cost of the defibrillator.

In an emergency always dial 999 first WHILE YOU ARE WITH THE PATIENT. The ambulance service will provide support and instructions over the telephone and they will tell you if or when you should get the defibrillator. You should never leave a patient alone. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE TRAINED TO USE THE EQUIPMENT – THE DEVICE WILL TALK  YOU THROUGH WHAT YOU NEED TO DO.  REMEMBER TO DIAL 999 FIRST.

The defibrillator is now registered with the ambulance service.

In the event that you do have to use it, please return it to the Parish Office or a Parish Councillor or return it to the cabinet and let us know so that it can be reset and prepared ready for use again.  We need to do this as quickly as possible. We are also required to inform the Ambulance Service, who keep records of when a Community Defibrillator is used and the outcomes.

The Parish Council will shortly be arranging a free “awareness training” session for residents, run by the Community Heartbeat Trust to demonstrate how to use the equipment and what to do in an emergency. More details will follow, but if you would like to be reminded, please contact the office 01278 733779 or clerk@netherstowey-pc.gov.uk.

The equipment has to be regularly checked and replaced as necessary and the Parish Council has taken responsibility for its maintenance and upkeep. If you have any questions please contact the Parish Clerk or any of your local Parish Councillors.

There is another public accessible defibrillator outside the Quantock Medical Centre. This is owned and managed by the QMC.

What is a defibrillator?

The defibrillator – an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) – is a potentially life-saving device that automatically sends an electric shock to the heart muscle to return it to its normal rhythm. Most people who survive will have needed a shock from a defibrillator to correct a chaotic heart rhythm. The earlier that shock is given, the better the person’s chance of survival.