First Responders

22/01/26-Practical CPR – Dee Gladden

Following her previous presentation to us in 3 July ’25, where she organised a ‘role play’, using the equipment with Mary and Gerry S doing the honours. On this occasion she co-opted Steve C  to use the training Defibrillator, taking it out the box and going through the process step by step as in the previous roleplay.  Following this the 3 defibrillators were distributed to the 3 tables to enable members to try the equipment themselves.

This was most successful and the emphasis was on not being afraid to use the equipment, as you cannot cause any harm, the recorded voice takes you through all the actions, as well as analysing the patient’s heart situation. Tilting the chin is also required to clear the airways. Many questions were posed to Dee during this process and she had all the answers; some examples of which are: call 999 to get the ambulance  plus the code for the defibrillator; if the patient is prone on their face, how to turn them holding their shoulder and hip to roll them over, then clear their airways; you can breathe into their nose or mouth; find out where the defibrillators are in your own area; 30 compressions and 2 breaths for 2 minutes and listen to the instructions.

David J offered the VoT, thanking Dee profusely for her clear messages about the use of the defibrillators. He then related a story from his original Rotary club where a member had a heart attack and died at the meeting with no defib available, now his wife champions the cause, raises money and promotes the awareness with as much energy and enthusiasm as Dee, this knowledge saves peoples lives! He asked members to join him in a warm round of applause.                         AR