Burnley Council and NWAS upgrade 10 defibrillators and invite residents to free awareness session
Life-saving defibrillators have been upgraded at Burnley Council buildings and public locations across Burnley and Padiham, in partnership with North West Ambulance Service.
The briefcase-sized portable devices are now in place at 10 locations, helping to ensure fast access to emergency equipment if someone suffers a sudden cardiac arrest.
Burnley Council is also raising awareness so residents know what to do in an emergency and where defibrillators can be accessed. Frontline staff at the sites have received training and are confident in using the equipment.
Members of the public will have the chance to take part in a free drop-in defibrillator awareness session led by NWAS Community First Responder volunteers and NWAS staff. This will take place at Burnley Market on Saturday 28th March between 12pm–3pm.
Councillor Jack Launer, Burnley Council Executive Member for Housing, Health and Culture said:
“Having defibrillators available in public buildings and community locations can make a real difference in an emergency. If the worst happens, quick action saves lives, and these devices are designed to be straightforward and easy to use"
“We’re working with NWAS to help more people feel confident about what to do if someone collapses and stops breathing. We’d encourage residents to drop in to the free session and learn the basics, it could help save a life.”
A defibrillator is a life-saving device that can deliver an electric shock to the heart in some cases of cardiac arrest. When someone is in cardiac arrest, every second counts. Each minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by around 10%.
The newly installed Lifepak CR2 defibrillators are simple and safe to use, with clear voice prompts and visual instructions. The device checks the person’s heart rhythm and will only deliver a shock if one is needed.
A North West Ambulance Service Community Resuscitation Manager said:
“When someone goes into cardiac arrest, the person will collapse and stop breathing, early recognition of this is vital and CPR is started straightaway, when 999 is called, the call taker will provide information of the nearest available defibrillator and details to access it.
“There are an increasing number of lives being saved by automated external defibrillators, because early intervention significantly improves the chances of survival. Working in partnership with Burnley Council, we want to encourage members of the public to take time to learn these crucial skills. You do not need to have a qualification to use an AED, however these sessions offer confidence to use one which is often the main barrier.
In order for the ambulance service to be able to utilise a defibrillator, it should be registered on the national defibrillator database, The Circuit, and the defibrillator should be checked regularly to ensure it is always ready for use. “
For more information, visit: https://www.nwas.nhs.uk/get-involved/volunteering/community-first-responder/