The Ambulance Service has funded and installed a Public Access Defibrillator site at its Headquarters at Cronk Coar on the Noble’s Hospital site. The Ambulance Service already had a defibrillator at its headquarters but this was not available to the public or other agencies when its offices were closed.
David Scambler who is the Ambulance Service Public Access Defibrillator Coordinator commented:
In the area surrounding our headquarters there are several office buildings and also a doctors accommodation block which do not have instant access to a defibrillator. We felt that we needed to make our defibrillator available to anyone who needs it 24 hours a day.
Prompt CPR and defibrillation offers the best chances of survival for those suffering from a sudden cardiac arrest. For that reason we want to raise awareness and increase the amount of Public Access Defibrillators that are available Island wide.
The Isle of Man Public Access Defibrillator group which comprises of The Ambulance Service, Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation, Rushen Emergency Ambulance and St John Ambulance was set up to promote the use of Public Access Defibrillators Island wide, provide a standardised approach and give advice to anyone wishing to install similar equipment within their community.
If you or your organisation would like to install a Public Access Defibrillator site or make your existing defibrillator available to the public then please contact any of the organisations listed above or email defibs@gov.im for more information.
This is a joint news release from the Department of Health and Social Care, Rushen Emergency Ambulance, Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation and St John Ambulance Isle of Man.
