East Devon and South West Ambulance fund new on-site defibrillators

Council staff, volunteers and visitors can now use defibrillators at Knowle, Sidmouth, Exmouth Town Hall, Camperdown Terrace, Exmouth and Seaton Wetlands

First aid can save lives if applied promptly and, in particular, the use of an Automated external defibrillator (AED) in the workplace can improve survival from a cardiac arrest by up to 60% if the casualty is treated immediately.

East Devon and South West Ambulance Service have invested in four new on-site defibrillators that will be maintained by the council at its current headquarters at Knowle in Sidmouth, as well as at Exmouth Town Hall and Camperdown Terrace in Exmouth, and at Seaton Wetlands. The defibrillators can be found in the following locations: 

• Sidmouth - the unit can be found just inside the public entrance lobby next to the Council Chamber at Knowle.  

• Exmouth 1 – the unit is located on the ground floor of the newly refurbished Exmouth Town Hall and can be accessed from both the reception area and the Council Chamber. 

• Exmouth 2 - this unit has been externally mounted within the depot yard at the council’s Camperdown Terrace depot.  Both these units are primarily for use by visitors, council staff and councillors. 

• Seaton Wetlands – the unit, which is located next to the toilets, is available for visitors, volunteers and East Devon staff at this popular nature reserve. 

Councillor Ian Thomas, East Devon’s portfolio holder for Finance said: “Our investment of around £5,000 represents excellent value for money in terms of improving our resilience.

“According to statistics from the British Heart Foundation and Department of Health, Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a leading cause of death in the United Kingdom, accounting for an estimated 100,000 deaths each year.

“In the event of cardiac arrest, research shows that for every minute a first shock is delayed, the chances of the patient’s survival diminishes by 10%. The initial cost of such equipment has fallen rapidly. Operator skill requirement is similarly reduced to that of the 'lay man'. We are no longer talking about the massive pads and drama of TV's Casualty, rather compact, intuitive and effective units.” 

Cllr Tom Wright, East Devon District Council’s portfolio holder for the Environment added, “In addition to our own sites, I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to all of those other East Devon Communities who have raised money and installed similar facilities in their towns and villages for the use of neighbours, friends and visitors."