Defibrillator for the HIBC Minibus – May 2017 Report by Dave Stanway
Hayling Island Businessmens Club are proud to have purchased a public access Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) to be permanently carried on our minibus, with clear signage on the outside of the minibus to let the public know the vehicle carries the device. An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable device that when applied to a patient it checks the heart rhythm and can send an electric shock to the heart to try to restore a normal rhythm. AEDs are used to treat sudden cardiac arrest, this is a condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating.
As one of the major user of our minibus are the charity Age Concern, the easy access of the device may someday become a life saver.
Working with the Hayling Island First Responders team, we will promoting the fact that the mini bus carries the device at all our events and on our Facebook page and website.
There is a free app called ‘Save a life’ for Android devices or ‘Save-A-Life’ on Apple devices that shows a mapped location of AED’s in the South Central Ambulance Service area, feel free to download the app and become familiar with the locations of such devices in your area. There are currently 13 locations mapped with more to come.
The Hayling Island Community Responders are a group of volunteers working for the South Central Ambulance Service in Hampshire. They are usually the first on scene and provide emergency medical assistance to people before an ambulance arrives. Doing their best to provide cover 24/7 all year round and currently have many responders volunteering with them.
Anyone can become a responder as long as you are over 18 and can spare at least 6 hours of your time per week plus the one hour training each Tuesday.
If you are interested in becoming a responder, you can contact the First responder coordinator Peter Halkyard on 07876 597194 or e-mail them on haylingfirstresponders@gmail.com and give your details, or find out more at www.haylingresponders.org.uk