Healthspan has recently installed a new external defibrillator which is accessible to the public and Emergency Services, who can direct individuals to this AED machine and how to use it.
The business joins over 40 other businesses and the total 100 public access AEDs on the island.
At the end of 2020, 30 of Healthspan’s staff successfully completed training run by the Guernsey Cardiac Action Group specifically around giving lifesaving CPR and the use of a defibrillator.
Rob King, IT and Facilities Manager at Healthspan says: “If a member of the public calls 999 for assistance to a heart attack victim, they may possibly be diverted to our AED machine whilst an ambulance is on the way. The 999 operator will give a code for our external cabinet to be opened to gain access to the defibrillator.
“We are proud to be able to assist the public in any way we can, especially to raise awareness and promote cardiac patient care by sponsoring the use of a new 24-hour accessible AED defibrillator”.
This defibrillator can be found at Healthspan House, The Grange, St Peter Port.
Cardiac Arrest occurs when a person’s heart stop’s pumping blood around the body and they stop breathing normally. Early defibrillation can save a life. The chances of a successful defibrillation decline at a rate of about 10% with each minute of delay, so early CPR and defibrillation is essential for survival before the emergency services arrive on the scene.
