New Defibrillator for Stonehouse is live and operational

We are extremely pleased to say that the new defibrillator outside the Co-op in the High Street is fully operational.   The actual Defibrillator unit was purchased jointly between Stonehouse Town Council and Stonehouse Rotary;  and the installation side of things covered by the MidCounties COOP.    A BIG thanks goes to all those involved in securing the defibrillator for our town

The Community Heartbeat Trust (CHT) alongside the ambulance service provide community awareness sessions. It is planned to hold a FREE initial session with any additional sessions incurring a small charge (charged by CHT). Should you wish to participate in the awareness session please get in touch with deputyclerk@stonehousetowncouncil.com     

They will be in touch with dates and more info very soon.

The CHT community awareness ‘Heartbeat’ programme is unique and has been recognised as being ideal for a rural community to create awareness of the issues surrounding treating a patient in the community. It is not a formal classroom course, but designed to answer questions, give basic instruction, be interactive and create confidence.

Each 2 hour session covers:

What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest :-
‘5 minutes to save a life’
’Physiology of the heart’
How to recognise SCA
How to dial 999 :-
what to expect
questions you will be asked
How to do CPR and why
How to use your AED
Recovery position/turning a patient
Handover to the Paramedics
Governance and support programmes

There is no legal requirement to have defibrillator training. The UK Resuscitation Council guidelines indicate that community defibrillators (AEDs) should be able to be used by members of the public with or without any formal training. This is because the equipment is very easy to be used, and when you have called 999, the ambulance service operator will normally stay on the telephone to assist you. The modern AED equipment is also designed to talk to you and tell you what to do.

You cannot make a mistake when using and AED – just follow the instructions being given. 

However, awareness training is desirable, particularly to create confidence in the community, learn CPR, and to understand the processes, as well as managing best practice, and reducing potential for liability.

For more information about the Community Heartbeat Trust (CHT) go to http://www.communityheartbeat.org.uk