An addition to a Halesowen school could be a lifesaver in the community, as Huntingtree Primary unveil their new defibrillator.
The school has been awarded a British Heart Foundation grant to fund the life-saving public access defibrillator, which will also be available for public use, as well as a CPR training kit. Awarded as part of the charity’s ‘Nation of Lifesavers’ community package, the innovative kit includes everything needed to learn CPR in half an hour.
The school, which has installed the PAD at its Bournes Hill entrance, now plans to run public training sessions meaning everyone can become a potential lifesaver. Jim Harrold, headteacher, said:
“We are delighted to have worked in partnership with the BHF to secure the defibrillator and training pack. I have watched the DVD already and it is really simple to follow.
"The defibrillator will be placed at our Bournes Hill entrance, meaning that local people have the best chance of survival should they suffer a cardiac arrest.
“Our children and parents have been working tirelessly to raise over £2,000 to allow us to purchase a further defibrillator for our other school entrance, which we hope to have up and running very soon.”
The defibrillator is a portable device that can be used by a member of the public to help restart the heart when someone has a cardiac arrest.
British Heart Foundation, which has helped place more than 14,000 lifesaving machines in communities across the UK, believes defibrillators should be made more accessible and recognisable to the public and want all young people to be taught CPR and PAD awareness at school. Sara Askew, head of survival at the charity, said:
“We are delighted that Huntingtree have joined the BHF’s Nation of Lifesavers campaign – by making another defibrillator available in Bournes Hill and teaching CPR locally. It could really be the difference between life and death.
“In the UK more than 30,000 people suffer a cardiac arrest outside of hospital every year, but less than one in ten survive. More lives could be saved if more defibrillators were available in public places and if more people felt confident using them and performing CPR.”
People interested in taking part in the school’s training sessions should call 01384 818650.
