Life saving training sessions planned
VILLAGERS are urged to take advantage of free training which could help save a life.
Sessions on how to use a defibrillator are to be organised for people in Sapcote.
The Parish Council has spearheaded a drive to obtain the ‘heart-start’ machines and now has two which it plans to install in prime spots in the village.
The first came from the British Heart Foundation following a grant application by the council.
The second was purchased on a special deal through East Midlands Ambulance Service.
One is earmarked for the old telephone box outside the Post Office in Stanton Road.
BT is decommissioning the booth and the council hope to take it on within a few weeks.
The second is expected to be installed close to the Pavilion on Sapcote playing fields.
Both will be available for use 24 hours a day, every day of the year and their locations will be provided to the ambulance service so anyone dialling 999 can be advised of their whereabouts to allow resuscitation to start before paramedics arrive.
Parish councillor Vic Howell said: “While the use of the equipment is straight forward and training is not required, familiarisation sessions on its use will be carried out by ambulance first responder Jonathon Haw who lives in the village.
“We are inviting villagers, old and young, to attend these sessions and hope that villagers will contact either Jonathon or myself on the numbers below so that we can coordinate these ses- sions.
“The equipment is very easy to use and even talks to the person using it, advising them what they need to do in an emergency.
“But it is hoped the sessions will give people confidence in using the equipment.
“We feel extremely lucky to be able to have two defibrillators placed in the village and know that they do save lives.”
It is estimated more than 30,000 people suffer a cardiac arrest outside of hospital every year and less than one in 10 survive.
The British Heart Foundation say defibrillation is essential in saving the life of someone who is in cardiac arrest.
In recent years community schemes to fund public access defibrillators has seen their use become widespread with devices being placed in shopping centres, schools and community centres.
The sessions will last for about 30 minutes and are due to be held in the Pavilion on Sapcote playing fields in the near future.
For more information call Jonathon Haw on Hinckley 271891 or Vic Howell on Hinckley 271889 and provide contact details.
If there is no reply, leave a message with name and contact details and call will be returned.