Councillors Diane Williamson and Howard Sykes MBE are delighted that a defibrillator has been installed on the Shaw Lifelong Learning Centre, High Street, Shaw.

Councillor Williamson, Shadow Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Co-operatives, speaking for her colleagues, said: “Absolutely delighted that this has happened.  Over the last year, the Liberal Democrats have been proactive on the Council in asking for a number of initiatives, which include first aid training for all school children and defibrillators to be installed in Council buildings.  The Lifelong Learning Centre is such a prominent location that it was a no brainer when deciding on the location.”

Approximately 100,000 people a year die after having a sudden cardiac arrest with the survival rate for out of hospital cardiac arrest being less than 10%.  If a defibrillator is used in conjunction with CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), then this can increase the survival rate to over 70%”.

Local Shaw Councillor Howard Sykes, added “Whilst anyone can use an AED*, because you are talked through how to use the device, the staff at the Centre will also be trained how to use it and what to do in an emergency”.

*Automated External Defibrillator is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia in a patient and is able to treat them through defibrillation, the application of electrical therapy which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to re-establish an effective rhythm. 

With simple audio and visual commands, AEDs are designed to be simple to use for the layperson, and the use of AEDs is taught in many first aid, certified first responder, and basic life support (BLS) level cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) classes.