Defibrillator fitted outside Weymouth lifeboat station
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) has worked in partnership with the RNLI to launch a community defibrillator in Weymouth, Dorset.
The Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are purposely easy to use. Anyone can use them – the machines themselves talk you through what to do, and that, alongside advice from emergency call-handlers, means that anyone can help to save a life.
The AED is now in position on the external wall of Weymouth lifeboat station on Nothe Parade and is situated inside a bright yellow cabinet, easily accessible by pressing a large red button on the front of the box.
An awareness session for anyone who would like some training in how to use the defibrillator is being held on the morning of Sunday 15 May from 10.30am until 1.30pm. Each session should take approximately 15 minutes. It is hoped that anyone who is regularly around the harbour side will take advantage of these free, short and informative sessions.
David Toman, the SWASFT Community Responder Officer for Dorset, said: “The first few minutes of a cardiac arrest are absolutely crucial, so having this life-saving equipment available while the ambulance is on its way, gives the patient the best possible chance of survival. The more communities we can support in having their own defibrillator, the better.”
Notes to editors
Picture shows; left to right, Weymouth lifeboat Coxswain Andy Sargent, lifeboat Mechanic Phil Hansford and David Toman, the SWASFT Community Responder Officer for Dorset with the defibrillator cabinet outside the lifeboat station.
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