Shocking device for Thatcham sports ground

Heartstart Thatcham installed a Public Access Defibrillator at the Henwick Worthy Sports Ground last Friday.
The device, an Automated External Defibrillator, is designed to be used and accessed by the public, and could save the life of someone in cardiac arrest.
The defibrillator checks the casualty for a heart rhythm and will shock them if necessary to help stop the heart from fibrillating and restore a normal rhythm.
A group was formed to look at the possibility of placing life-saving equipment around Thatcham. It was made up of Thatcham Town Council, Thatcham Neighbourhood Wardens, and Heartstart Thatcham scheme coordinator Dr Nick Young.
The group soon expanded to include members of Thatcham Rotary Club, West Berkshire Council and Henwick Worthy Sports Ground with advice taken from the South Central Ambulance Service.
Dr Young said: “This device is the first PAD that we have installed, the first of many which have the potential to save lives and make a real difference to the community.
“The defibrillators are designed to be used by the public without any training. The devices tell you what to do and cannot be misused. If in doubt you will have the 999 operator on the phone who will be able to guide you through the process of checking the state of the casualty, performing CPR and using a defibrillator.”
Heartstart has been helped to roll-out defibrillators by local groups including Heartstart Thatcham’s fundraising team, the Henwick Worthy Joint Management Committee, and the Young Corn Exchange.
Funds have also been boosted through the efforts of PC Keiran Baker and West Berkshire police officers who scaled
Pen Y Fan in the Brecon Beacons earlier this year.
The Hearstart team has permission to install another four devices in Thatcham, two in Newbury town centre and one at Cold Ash.
Dr Young said that more funds were required but gaining permission was a major step forward.
He added that the group’s target was to install the devices by the end of 2015 and they were looking at installing more across the district.
Heartstart Thatcham teaches Emergency Life Support skills for free.
For more information see www.heartstartthatcham.info.