Emergency Defibrillator For Hodnet?

Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Automated External DefibrillatorEach year, 135,000 people in the UK die from Sudden Cardiac Arrest. The condition can strike anyone at any time – young or old; fit or not. That’s more than breast cancer, lung cancer and AIDS combined. The recent high profile experience of Bolton Wanderers footballer Fabrice Muamba helped bring this to the public attention – and the life saving value of an AED.
It is estimated that 85% of sudden cardiac arrest victims could be saved by rapid access to an AED. For every minute a patient is delayed in receiving defibrillation – their chances of survival drop by 10%.
All emergency frontline ambulances are equipped with defibrillators and are manned by staff trained to use them. But even though they’re likely to provide the best first response to an emergency, time is of the essence when someone suffers a cardiac arrest especially in a rural community such as ours.

What is an AED ?

Automated External DefibrillatorModern portable Automated External Defibrillators ( AED ) have made defibrillation a much simpler process than in the past, and only basic training is needed to use them effectively. They’re designed to be used by members of the public, and are very effective at guiding the operator through the process of administering a shock. They are widely available, safe and easy to use, and won’t allow a shock to be given to a victim who doesn’t need one. (For more information see Wikipedia.)
For this to happen we would need to set up a Local Community Voluntary Group. We would need funding to purchase the Defribrillator about £1500 plus a secure cabinet. The Hodnet Parish Council is pursuing the funding options and we are seeking the guidance and advice of West Midlands Ambulance Service with regard to the training of volunteers and how that might be provided.
We need a list of trained volunteers able to provide rapid response 24 hours per day, 7 days per week in the event of a Cardiac Arrest in our village and the surrounding area – supplementing the response of the 999 ambulance service.

Automated External Defibrillator CabinetHow does it operate ?

In an emergency situation the public will continue to ring 999 and ask for an ambulance in the normal way. West Midlands Ambulance Service will despatch an ambulance / paramedic as usual. There is no change to this process.
West Midlands Ambulance Service will recognise that a Public Access AED is situated in the village of Hodnet and will contact our volunteers for an immediate response. The volunteer(s) will proceed to the AED, enter the security code, remove the AED from the enclosure – and go to the victim to render assistance until the ambulance crew arrive.

How do we train the Volunteers?

West Midlands Ambulance Service provides First Aid training (which will include use of the AED and CPR) to all volunteers.
The training sessions take about 4 hours, and are generally arranged on a Saturday morning – with refresher courses as needed for new recruits.

How can I help?

To make this work we need to know that we have sufficient volunteers to make this work.
Read that bit again that “for every minute a patient is delayed in receiving defibrillation – their chances of survival drop by 10%”.
Become a Volunteer– and be willing to attend the First Aid training provided by West Midlands Ambulance Service – and join the list ready to respond with the AED in an emergency. Once trained you can choose which responder lists you wish to be on – Working Daytime, Evenings and/or Weekends.
To find out more or to volunteer simply contact the Parish Clerk by email or on 01630-685745 and we will be in touch.
We Need Your Help