A defibrillator 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. If you come across someone who has had a cardiac arrest, it’s vital to call 999 and start CPR. Then you should find out if there is a defibrillator nearby.

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.

Goole Town Cricket Club would like to purchase one of these devices and we need your help to raise money for the community. The greatest benefit to having a defibrillator is that they DO save lives. Having a defibrillator at hand may increase the chance of survival from around 10% with only good effective CPR, up to possibly 60-80% with a defibrillator at hand for immediate use.

Seconds count! The Chain of Survival is an important part of saving a life. For every minute there is a delay getting defibrillation to a patient in Sudden Cardiac Arrest, the chance of survival decreases. Defibrillators DO save lives, but they need to be handy and easily accessible when they are needed.

Whilst purchasing a defibrillator is a considerable cost, it is irrelevant when just one life is saved. The feeling you have when you have saved a life with a defibrillator cannot be beaten with any amount of money! Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) not only happens to the elderly, but it can happen to anyone of any age at any time and this is why Goole Town Cricket Club would like your help in raising money for the purchase of a unit at the club.