On Saturday 5th February 2011, more than 70 parishioners attended the launch of the Defibrillator Scheme at the Coronation Hall in East Grafton. Local MP, Claire Perry, praised the outstanding effort of the community to set up the scheme. Major General Michael Walsh thanked those involve throughout the project and Mr Peter Lemon congratulated the parish on another community success. A training session led by Richard Schofield from the Community Heartbeat Trust (CHT) then followed and villagers were guided through what to do in the event of a person collapsing, with everyone getting a chance to 'have a go'.
Defibrillators have been installed in each of the villages in the parish - East Grafton, Wilton, West Grafton, Marten and Wexcombe - following almost 2 years of building awareness across the parish and fundraising. A combination of community fundraising events and donations from residents has resulted in the scheme being completed more than 3 years ahead of schedule.
The Grafton defibrillators are housed in bright yellow secure cabinets on the outside of buildings in each of the villages, with the one in Wilton installed in the old telephone kiosk. In the event of a person collapsing, the location and code to the cabinet are released by the Great Western Ambulance service. The rescuer then sends someone to collect the defibrillator and bring it to the scene of the collapse. Anyone who calls 999 (or 112) will be given the code if the ambulance service determines that the defibrillator is required.
A local air horn scheme has also been launched for residents to signal an emergency alert and get much needed help on the ground as quickly as possible whilst waiting for the emergency services.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a major killer, accounting for some 200,000 deaths per year in the UK. Survival rates are only around 3%. This figure can be increased to around 50% by the early use of a defibrillator and quick application of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). The CHT is at the forefront in making more life saving equipment and resources available to rural communities though the supply of community Public Access Defibrillator schemes (cPAD), local awareness and training initiatives and through support for Community Responder schemes. CHT is providing support in communities all over the UK in partnership with most UK ambulance services.
Richard Schofield, Community Heartbeat Trust Trustee and Wiltshire Schemes' Coordinator:
"Community defibrillator schemes and basic life support skills help people in any community to respond to an emergency quickly and effectively. Lay people can do far more than they often think they can when someone collapses. Everyone should learn these basic life support skills”
Peter Lemon, Grafton Parish Council:
“Special thanks must go to Richard Schofield who has helped us and guided us throughout the project. Congratulations to everyone involved - it has been a true community effort.”
Susie Brew, Grafton Parish Council:
“The public access defibrillators are able to assess the patient and deliver the electric shock safely if it’s required – you do not have to be an expert, but you do need to know how to do CPR. In a rural community such as ours, where emergency services are unable to reach you quickly, the air horn alarms, defibrillators and a knowledgeable community mean we are prepared.”
For more information about Community Public Access Defibrillator Schemes contact CHT local office 01488 669229 or www.communityheartbeat.org.uk
For more information on the Grafton Parish Community Scheme, contact mail@graftonparish.com