More than 150 people turned out to defibrillator training sessions this month for demonstrations on how to react and provide assistance in the event of a cardiac arrest.
The regular awareness sessions, run by Friends of Frome Hospital, allow the public to learn from professional responders procedures which could save a life in an emergency situation.
Frome people are fortunate to have a network of 21 publicly available defibrillators (PADs) around the town and in the local villages, which have been installed to specifically assist and improve the chances of recovery in these life threatening situations.
A Friends of Frome Hospital spokesman said, “There are also other defibrillators out and about with sports clubs, the leisure centre, in care homes and places like dentists who need them to support their legal operational requirements, but are not necessarily readily accessible if their premises are closed.
“The Friends’ PADs are all in high footfall public areas and available via the 999 service 24/7.”
One of a number of high profile visitors to the training session was local MP, David Warburton, who commented, “The lifesaving event on Saturday really was terrific and hugely valuable to all of us. It was great to see and hear exactly what we need to do if faced with an emergency – such simple straightforward advice and guidance, which really could be genuinely life-saving.
“It was an immensely useful and important event and I’m very grateful to the Friends. I also enjoyed having a go myself!”
In 2017, The Friends are hoping to develop CPR/ defibrillator training sessions for students in the local middle school academies and Frome College.
