We are aiming to purchase a defibrillator, which will be accessible to the whole community.
In England, the ambulance service attempt resuscitation in approximately 25,000 cases per annum but at present, only a small proportion survive this is because most cases of sudden cardiac arrest are due to an abnormality of the heart’s electrical rhythm called ventricular fibrillation (VF) in which the electrical impulses that normally control the heart become chaotic and uncoordinated. The heart stops beating (i.e. it ceases to act as a pump) and the circulation of blood stops. Death is inevitable unless the condition is recognised promptly and defibrillation is carried out. Defibrillation is the use of a high-energy electric shock that stops the chaotic rhythm of VF and allows the normal, organised, electrical rhythm of the heart to re-start. This can allow the pumping action of the heart to return.
The major factor limiting the number of people who survive sudden cardiac arrest is the ability to provide defibrillation within a critical time.
The Peace memorial hall are hoping to provide a defibrillator that will be accessible to the community 24/7, 365 days a year, they will also have it accredited with the South Western Ambulance service.

The hall will hold free familiarisation sessions for anyone who would like to see the defibrillator in action and alleviate and apprehensions the community may have in using it.