Village residents trained to save lives

The Wavendon community defibrillator is situated on the outside car park facing wall of the Wavendon Community Centre on Walton Road.

Ian Jones, paramedic/community defibrillation officer, South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust gave representatives from St Mary’s School Church of England Primary School, Little Oaks Nursery, Woburn And Wavendon Lions FC user demonstration and user training on how the device works.

Councillor David Hopkins, Wavendon Parish Council’s Chair, said: “This defibrillator has been purchased and installed using funds from the parish council and a contribution from local MK Council ward member allowance so this is a village initiated, driven and funded project.

“In the UK 300,000 people suffer cardiac arrest outside of hospital. Electrical defibrillation is the most effective measure for cardiac arrest in VF and VT.

“The evidence is overwhelming with delay from collapse to shock being the single most important factor. Every minute a victim fails to receive attention reduces that victims chance of survival by 10 per cent - the argument for such devices throughout the area are overwhelming”

“This device can be used safely and effectively without training by anyone. However training to help improve speed to shock is available”

The British Heart Foundation advises that after a cardiac arrest every minute without CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and defibrillation reduces someone’s chance of survival by 10 per cent.

The rate of survival of a Sudden Cardiac Arrest is dependent upon time. The quicker the intervention, the better the outcome.

The 999 Service will instruct the caller to the defibrillator and provide them with a code to open the cabinet. The portable AED can then be taken as quickly as possible to the patient.

Once the unit is activated it verbally instructs you how to use the machine. Once the pads are in position on the patient, the defibrillator detects the heart’s rhythm.

It won’t deliver a shock unless one is needed. Be assured that if the patient is not suffering from a heart attack the machine will not operate and so you cannot cause any harm.