A donation made by Penparcau Community Youth Forum has been used to purchase a training defibrillator, a device which can be used to train others and demonstrate how to help someone in cardiac arrest.
The specially designed defibrillator, purchased by St John Cymru Aberystwyth Town, will be used to demonstrate and train Youth volunteers (aged 10-23) as well as the local community, the correct way to use an automated external defibrillator (AED), giving them the confidence to use one of the devices in a life-threatening situation.
A lifesaving defibrillator, also known as an automated external defibrillator (AED) is easy to use and can be placed on someone to give a shock to the heart during a cardiac arrest.
The device analyses a casualty’s heart rhythm and will give visual or voice instructions to guide you through each step to use one in an emergency.
Only when it is safe to do so will the device advise and administer a shock.
Just one in five people know what to do in an emergency* and over two thirds of people in Wales lack the confidence to help someone experiencing a cardiac arrest.**
A whole host of public locations now have defibrillators available for public use and despite this, the thought of using one can be daunting; but it doesn’t have to be. When used correctly the chances of surviving a cardiac arrest are up to 70%^.
“Using a defibrillator when someone is in cardiac arrest can dramatically increase their chance of survival.
“We can’t thank Penparcau Community Youth Forum enough for their donation, it will really make a difference to our Division.
Those who we train will now be able to familiarise themselves with how a defibrillator works, helping to build their confidence to use one in an emergency,”
St John Cymru Aberystwyth Town Officer in Charge, Gemma Atherton
St John Cymru Aberystwyth Town regularly hold first aid training sessions and, as a part of Save a Life September, 28 people have now been trained in lifesaving first aid thanks to the division.
St John Cymru has over 120 youth groups across Wales which are available for people between the ages of 5-25. For more information about how you can become a Cadet, Badger or volunteer click here.
Penparcau Community Forum are a community-based organisation who actively engage with the community of Penparcau to develop sustainable and inclusive community activities and facilities for the benefit of all. Its Youth Forum provides a voice for the younger generations. More information about Penparcau Community Forum can be found here: https://penparcau.cymru/
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*Source - Dr Govind Oliver, ‘Are prehospital deaths from trauma and accidental injury preventable?’(University of Manchester, 2016)
**Source – Research conducted on behalf of St John Cymru by YouGov (2018)
^ Resuscitation Council (UK)