27 June, 2023
Have you got one?
MORE importantly, do those around you know how to use it?
It’s a defibrillator we are talking about!
The Lowood and Fernvale Bendigo Community bank recently donated a defibrillator to the Folk Art Cooperative at Lowood, prompting a call from the Cooperative’s members, for guidance about its use in the event of an emergency.
Thankfully, Somerset SES’s deputy controller and training officer, Paul Williams, stepped up to provide a few Folk Art members with a practical demonstration of the equipment. They are now more confident they can effectively use the equipment should the need arise.
In his presentation, Paul noted there appeared to be quite an array of different types of defibrillators across the Somerset communities.
“No one knows how many there are or, more importantly, where they are,” he said.
According to Paul, there are probably quite a few community based organisations, like Folk Art, with defibrillators and members not skilled or confident to use the equipment.
This point has prompted one of the Folk Art’s members to raise awareness of the use of defibrillators with another community organisation where she is a member.
While the defibrillators provide vocal guidance on its use, Paul emphasised during the presentation key points associated with the safe use of the equipment, for all parties. He also noted it was really important to check the equipment on a regular basis.
Do you know where defibrillators are located in your community?
Are they readily accessable?
Could you use one?
