A new defibrillator and 24-hour access cabinet has been unveiled at West Clewes Recreation Ground, thanks to the generosity and foresight of the Rotary Club of Somer Valley and Midsomer Norton Town Council.
The high-tech defibrillator was donated by the Rotary Club and it is suitable for use by the general public. In an emergency, the 999 operator is able to locate the nearest public access defibrillator (PAD) and talk callers through the use of the machine, which itself provides comprehensive voice prompts. This type of unit was used on Bolton Wanderers footballer, Patrice Muamba, when he collapsed at the FA tie in March 2012 at Spurs' ground in North London. Muamba survived, despite being unconscious for 78 minutes.
The Town Council worked with local company AED Locators, based in Chew Magna, to link the defibrillator with the Ambulance Service, who hold details of all PADs on their emergency system and can direct callers to their nearest unit if necessary. The high-tech cabinet purchased by the Town Council provides heated storage for the unit and ensures that the pads and equipment remain operational even on the coldest of days. The cabinet is opened using a code provided to the user over the telephone by the Ambulance Service.
The Rotary Club were represented by Bob Taylor at the unveiling and he was accompanied by Town Mayor, Cllr Paul Myers, Town Councillor, Steve Plumley and Welton Rovers FC Chairman, Stuart Minall.
"This critical life-saving equipment will ensure that residents or visitors to the town can be treated as soon as possible," said Town Mayor, Cllr Paul Myers. "Given that less than 5% of people who have a heart attack survive with CPR alone but 50% survive with CPR and the prompt use of a defibrillator, the Council is delighted to have worked with the Rotary Club to provide this facility. And we have been given a second unit by the Rotary Club of Midsomer Norton and Radstock which we plan to install near the Town Hall."