The Parish Council has installed a defibrillator (AED) for emergency public use at the Village Hall. For those who would wish to understand more about the device the User Manual is here. Images in this page are from the User Manuel.
An Emergency
If someone is unconscious, unresponsive, not breathing or not breathing normally, they may be in cardiac arrest. Call 999, requesting the Ambulance service and the access code for the defibrillator at Wreningham Village Hall. Start CPR, (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), this will ensure blood flows to the brain and around the body. During a cardiac arrest, every minute without CPR and defibrillation will see their chance of survival reducing by 10 per cent.
If you are alone, don’t interrupt the CPR to get a defibrillator. If it’s possible, send someone to find one.
AED Location
Our AED is mounted on the outside of the East wall of the Hall beside the big car park: click on What Three Words: Ballooned, streaking, canines.
Accessing the AED
The yellow cabinet fixed to the Hall wall contains the device. Use the code from the 999 Operator to open the door, remove the bag containing the AED and take it to the patient.
Operating the AED
Follow the instructions given by the AED – these are audio supported by images on the small screen. You will need to ensure you have clear access to the areas of skin to which the two pads are to be applied. This may require cutting away the patient’s clothing with the scissors provided in the emergency bag. The AED will only deliver a shock when it does not detect a heartbeat and when the patient is still.
After use
Please return the device, used pads and emergency bag to the Clerk for Wreningham Parish Council. If you can provide details about the emergency and comment on the use of the AED that would be very helpful.
The device will be cleaned, new pads obtained and installed. The bag containing the AED and emergency kit will be replaced in the wall unit.
Training
The steps outlined above are the bare minimum. Wreningham Parish Council has organised AED training for villagers in the past. This has addressed: recognising when an AED is required, contacting the Emergency Services, positioning and preparing the patient, using an AED, applying CPR, etc.
If you are interested please let the Clerk know so we can establish demand and organise the training, probably at the Village Hall.
The British Heart Foundation provides on-line CPR and defibrillator training, see here.