Rhondda Cold Knap Lifeuard Club
Defib for the Knap
Help us raise funds to purchase a public defibrillator and a specialist storage cabinet for the Knap, Barry.
Story
The Welsh Government is providing grant aid to improve community access to defibrillators and boost out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates in Wales. The money provided has been used to purchase defibrillators which will be allocated to enable access to strategically placed defibrillators on community buildings like lifeguard stations, or sports grounds, which will provide maximum benefit within communities.
Background
Every year in Wales, over 6,000 people will have a cardiac arrest in the community. This can happen to anyone at any age at any time. At least 80% will happen in the home but currently less than 5% will survive.
One major factor limiting the number of people who survive cardiac arrest is the ability to provide defibrillation within a critical time frame. The first few minutes after the onset of an abnormal heartbeat, called ventricular fibrillation is crucial. This period can however be extended if a bystander starts CPR, especially chest compressions.
Defibrillators have historically been placed in busy public areas, workplaces and other locations with the intention that they will be used to restart the heart of a person in cardiac arrest.
In Wales, many defibrillators have been purchased by organisations, including charities, local communities, businesses and commercial companies, gyms, schools and dental surgeries. Some, but not all of these are available for public access, are not registered with the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust and many are not available 365 days per year and at all times of day or night, so do not provide the public with optimal access.
Commitment
Should we have enough support, the defibrillator which will be registered with the Welsh Ambulance Services, will be located on the external wall of the Knap Lifeguard Station. It will be available 365 days per year and at all times of day or night.
Our request
In order to complete this project and acquire all the necessary equipment to secure the defibrillator with its cabinet to the external wall of the Knap Lifeguard Station, we need to raise £500. Would you please support us in this and make a donation to this lifesaving aim via the link below?