A new Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) was officially unveiled during this Saturday’s Urban Saints Westbrook Open Day.
Louise Walker, from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service (pictured, with Andy Treagus and Jo Baynham), visited the Ryde centre to officially launch the facility - which can be used both by visitors and guests staying at Urban Saints Westbrook and members of the local community.
The defibrillator, which was partly provided by a community grant from the British Heart Foundation, is a device that gives a high energy electric shock to the heart through the chest wall to someone who is in cardiac arrest. This high energy shock is called defibrillation, and it's an essential life saving step in the chain of survival. There are many defibrillators available in public places such as train stations, shopping centres, airport and leisure centres. These defibrillators are often known as Public Access Defibrillators (PAD) as anyone can use them in an emergency.
Andy Treagus, Urban Saints Westbrook Deputy Manager, said “This is a fantastic facility for us as a residential and activities centre and helps make Urban Saints Westbrook a safer place for our guests. We are delighted that this defibrillator can also be used by the local community too and it has been great to see so many of them at our Open Day today.”
Louise Walker said “It is essential our community has access to these life saving devices, the time critical element of a cardiac arrest cannot be underestimated. It is wonderful news that Urban Saints have joined the ever growing list of PAD sites for our Island, they are an absolute asset to our community.”
The defibrillator was unveiled at the Urban Saints Westbrook Open Day on Saturday 12th May - where over 400 local people took part in free activity sessions such as tree climbing, laser tag and bush craft and inflatables. Urban Saints Westbrook also provide residential experiences for schools, youth and community groups and can be hired for parties and other social gatherings. The Urban Saints Westbrook team plan to offer Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training to groups that stay at the centre to compliment the new defibrillator facility.
