Invitation to training that could save a life
Free defibrillator tuition at the masonic hall
Members of community groups in Stonehouse are being urged to attend training which could help save a life.
The free training will be provided at the village’s Masonic Hall on Thursday, November 30, which will give members of the public the chance to work a defibrillator which could save someone suffering a cardiac arrest.
A portable defibrillator was recently bought by members of Lodge Union 244 at a cost of more than £1600, which is available for any member of the public to use if needed.
The lodge’s Right Worshipful Master (RWM) Bro Craig Carenduff said: “The brethren raised the money thanks to our annual sponsored walk which we were delighted with.
“There have been a number of brethren who have had heart attacks or heart problems in the past so it’s a cause that is very important to us.
“We have a number of community groups in Stonehouse and if the worst were to happen during a function or another event they could help save a person’s life before paramedics arrive on the scene.
“If we can save even one person’s life through the defibrillator we managed to purchase for the village then it will have done its job.”
When someone collapses with a cardiac arrest, their heart can go into a kind of quivering limbo called fibrillation.
One of the most effective ways to get it going again is with a sudden powerful electric shock—and that’s the lifesaving job a defibrillator does.
Equipment like this used to require hours of training, but now portable, fully automatic defibrillators are being installed in public places so even amateur first-aiders can administer them with minimal instruction.
Bro Craig added: “The defibrillator has been placed outside of the Masonic Hall so it is available for anyone in the community to use.
“The emergency services have the code for the defib and anyone can access it if they dial 999.
“That person can then provide vital medical assistance before paramedics arrive and it is very simple to use.
“There are also smaller pads which could be used for children as well.
“Hopefully we have a good number of people coming along to the training event. The training is simple but it could be life saving.”
The defibrillator training session takes place at Stonehouse Masonic Hall on November 30 at 7.30pm.