A brand new defibrillator has been installed on North Wales Business Park and is now available to businesses and the public to use in an emergency situation.
The device, also known as an automated external defibrillator (AED), has been installed on the business park outside of the unit occupied by St John Cymru, Wales’ leading first aid charity, in Abergele.
Businesses and communities surrounding the training centre area will also benefit from the installation as the defibrillator will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the public to use in an emergency.
A defibrillator is easy to use and can be placed on someone to give a shock to the heart during a cardiac arrest.
The device analyses a casualty’s heart rhythm and will give visual or voice instructions to guide someone through each step to use one in an emergency.
Only when it is safe to do so will the device advise and administer a shock.
“We’re delighted our unit is now fully equipped with a defibrillator so the centre is ready in a life-threating situation.”
St John Cymru Director of Training, Jon Phillips
“I have long been calling for the delivery of defibrillators in all major public buildings and schools, so I am extremely pleased that one has been installed on North Wales Business Park, Abergele, close to my constituency office.
“The chances of surviving a cardiac arrest are increased by up to 70% when a defibrillator is used and I have no doubt that having this defibrillator on the Business Park will provide people working and visiting the site with the reassurance that they could help in a potentially life-threatening situation.”
Clwyd West Assembly Member, Darren Millar
St John Cymru’s Abergele training centre opened in May has proven a valuable asset to the area with well-attended courses happening daily.
The centre will be home to a wide range of community first aid awareness courses, free for the public to attend. The next 2-hour Public Access Defib Awareness session will be held 8th July and will provide people in the local community the opportunity to empower themselves with the skills and confidence to use a defibrillator in an emergency.
More information about St John Cymru and the courses available at their training centre in Abergele can be found here.
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Picture Caption: Geoff Gower St John Cymru Trainer with Clwyd West AM Darren Millar