Save a Life Cymru has recently funded and supplied a new Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) at Langland Bay Beach to replace the obsolete equipment. This should now help residents and visitors to the area to feel safer if a cardiac arrest suddenly happens in the community.
The installation of this lifesaving defibrillator and cabinet has been a successful collaboration between Marc Gower from Save a Life Cymru, Peter Beynon from Swansea City Council, the Swansea Bay NHS University Health Board Resuscitation Team and Simon Tucker from Heartbeat Trust UK.
Every year in Wales over 6,000 people will suffer a cardiac arrest in the community and less than 5% will survive. Only through early CPR and using a defibrillator within the first three to five minutes of a collapse can the survival rate be influenced.
To help make the difference between life and death it is important that the 999 call-takers know the location of every defibrillator in Wales and be able to identify whether it’s available and ready for an emergency. This is only possible if every defibrillator is managed and registered by a Guardian on The Circuit - The National Defibrillator Network.
This registration process is free and every Guardian in Wales can be supported by the Save a Life Cymru Community Co-ordinator team. The Langland Bay Beach defibrillator has been very fortunate to secure local resident Rachel Owen as Guardian.
Len Nokes, Chair of Save a Life Cymru, said: "I am delighted that Langland Bay Beach community has secured a new life saving defibrillator and cabinet from Save a Life Cymru.
“This been an excellent opportunity for us to introduce Marc Gower, Save a Life Cymru’s Community Co-ordinator in South West Wales, to the community. I know that Marc has worked tirelessly with all the organisations and individuals concerned to secure this Public Access Defibrillator and to manage The Circuit registration process for the benefit of the whole community.”
Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council cabinet member for investment, regeneration, events and tourism, said: “We’re delighted to have worked with Save a Life Cymru and others on installing this life-saving facility at one of the area’s premier beaches.
“Many thousands of people enjoy Langland Bay every year – it’s reassuring to them that this defibrillator is in place.”
Rachel Owen, the Guardian, said: “I feel happy to be playing a small part in the upkeep of this defibrillator, knowing that should it be needed, it will be in full working order.”
Simon Tucker, Trustee of Heartbeat Trust UK, said: “Langland Bay is such a popular beach in Swansea - replacing the old defibrillator was essential so that all the beachgoers and residents have access to one in an emergency. Many thanks to all involved in helping grow and maintain the defibrillator network across the city.”
Lisa Fabb from Swansea Bay NHS University Health Board Resuscitation Team, said: “The Resuscitation Service in Swansea Bay University Health Board are keen to see automated defibrillators made available to as many people as possible. This is great news, particularly in such a high traffic area. We get lots of questions about community defibrillators and Marc Gower has been a fantastic resource helping with our queries.”