Defibrillator

Buckland Newton Defibrillator

Information

Every year we publish information about the Defibrillator we have here in Buckland Newton which is of particular benefit to those who have recently moved into the village. Where is it? The Defib is housed in an blue, UNLOCKED cupboard on the outside wall of BN Village Hall by the back door, off the kitchen. It is available for use in an emergency, after dialing 999 and as advised by the paramedics. Who can use it? ANYONE can use it as the machine speaks instructions and it will not shock a person if that is not needed. Every month the list of Runners, a group of people who will collect the Defib from the VH and bring it to any house in the village, is published in the Lydden Vale News. It might be a good idea to cut this out and put it near your phone or some other prominent place or to make an arrangement with a neighbour to collect the Defib for you. CRP training is important and there is an opportunity to attend a refresher morning that is held annually by SWAST in the Village Hall. The date is usually in February/March and always appears in the LVN and on the BN Facebook community page. If you’d like to know more, or have any questions about the Defib, please contact either of us. Sandie Stout 345135 Jane Willis 345477 Many thanks to all the Runners for their continued support. Maintenance of Defib The Defib is checked almost every day by a member of the committee, to make sure it is in full working order. Training in its use We hold a Defib and CPR Training morning in Buckland Newton Village Hall every year taken by the South West Ambulance Service (SWAST) which anyone can attend. Careline Users If you are a Careline User please ensure your provider is aware of the existence of the Defib in the village. New Runners and Committee Members If you are interested in becoming a Runner, joining the Defib committee or would like any more information, please contact one of us. Sandie Stout - 345135 Jane Willis – 345477

Defib Notes

In an emergency always ring 999 - ambulance - straight away; they will advise you. How you get the defibrillator in an emergency is worth a bit of prior thought. Maybe you have a friend or neighbour who is willing to help, either to fetch the defib or to contact a Defib Runner for you. The Defib Runners are not to be called out at any other time except when the ambulance service has asked for the defibrillator to be brought - for all other medical problems please ring 999 or see your GP. The defib cupboard with the defib inside is located at the Village Hall and is well signposted but it may be a good idea to check out for yourself exactly where it is next time you pass the Village Hall. Information cards, to be kept by the phone, have been delivered to every house - if you have not received yours, please contact Fizz Lewis on 345521. They show the list of Defib Runners who have agreed to be telephoned at any time to fetch the defibrillator. It is of course up to you whether you want to use them or a neighbour or friend. NB: for anyone who hasn’t been to an awareness session on the defib - this apparatus will not work on anyone whose heart is still beating. Use of CPR and the defib, under Ambulance Service instruction, gives a person the best possible outcome after an arrest. The machine is being checked once a week by two Committee members, to ensure it is perfect working order. South West Ambulance Service Trust are responsible for the maintenance and sorting any problems. The original defib has been replaced by a new one in December 2020. The Defib Committee Jan Burnett, Diana Wells, Sandie Stout, Jane Willis and Fizz Lewis We are very grateful to all our volunteer Defib Runners. We would like to know if there is anyone else, especially if they live near the village hall, who would like to volunteer to go on the list too. The Defibrillator is checked almost every day by our unsung hero, Sandie Stout, to make sure it is in full working order. Some of the supplies with it are replaced annually by SWAST who are in contact with Sandie. Sandie is also a Committee member and Runner and we are very grateful to her for this work.