Emergency cover for Audlem residents has received a major boost after a new defibrillator was given to the village.
The machine, which can restart the heart in certain cases of cardiac arrest by delivering a controlled electric shock to the chest, was presented to staff at Audlem Mill by North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) last Friday,
Three staff members at the mill, popular with boaters who use the Shropshire Union Canal, received specialist life support training and advice on how to use the defibrillator which is the fourth such machine in Audlem.
Audlem Mill owner Peter Silvester said: “The training took about two and a half hours and it was delivered by a man from NWAS who looks after defibrillators generally.
“It was suggested through one of the Audlem Parish Plan groups that there should be one at the canalside because there’s a potential risk of heart attacks with people using boats and locks.
“But it was something we were keen to have anyway because there was no cover for the canal end of the village.
“We’ll be putting a sign on the outside of the building shortly which NWAS will provide and the machine is now ready and available, although we’re hoping it’ll never have to be used.”
Defibrillators are already available at Audlem Medical Practice, the Cooperative store in Shropshire Street and Audlem CycleSport in the Square.
Audlem also has its own team of Community First Responders who are trained to use defibrillators and provide emergency cover until an ambulance arrives.
Parish council vice chairman Councillor Mike Hill said: “I think it’s a tremendous thing and it’s important to have it in a busy part of the village, particularly in the summer with the boaters and walkers.
“It’s our fourth one in Audlem and having a machine there gives us good coverage in the event of someone having a heart attack.”
Rob Sharples of NWAS said: “Giving free training to local volunteers means they have the ability to provide life-saving help in the first few critical minutes after a cardiac arrest.
“Having defibrillators within the community, and people trained in how to use them, does save lives and now staff at Audlem Mill can offer this additional and reassuring service.”
By Winston Brown
