Thanks to the efforts of local councillors and the community, a public access defibrillator was recently fitted to the outside of Thurnby Lodge Youth and Community Centre, Leicester for local people to use if called upon in case of an emergency.

To break down any barriers and fears and to ensure members of the community become familiar with the lifesaving equipment, JHMT's Alan Harrison White delivered a Heartsafe CPR and defibrillator training session at the community centre.

Alan said: ' Everyone can learn how to save a life with a few simple skills. I was delighted with the group's efforts to learn basic CPR and have a go on a training defibrillator. It is so important that people familiarise themselves with a defibrillator at the earliest opportunity so they are confident in using one at the scene of a cardiac arrest.'

The SADS facts of life:

• There are 60,000 cardiac arrests in the UK every year with 30,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests witnessed bystanders and families and 27,000 do not survive the event ( 10%) survival.
• All who suffer a cardiac arrest will die unless resuscitated within vital seconds and minutes.
• Survival depends on:
• Early intervention of effective CPR AND DEFIBRILLATION is the only way to re-establish the heart's natural Rhythm.
• Over half of all cardiac arrests are witnessed by bystanders or family members.
• International data shows 30-50% survival rates are possible and could be achieved by improved immediate responses that are easy to teach/provide.
• Immediate action (CPR and defibrillation) more than doubles the chances of survival.
• There are literally thousands of lives that could be saved, Survival rates decrease by 7 - 10% for every minute of delay but only 2-3% for every minute if CPR is instigated.
• There are currently more than 650 potentially avoidable deaths of young people, 12 – 35 years old, with unrecognised heart conditions per year in the UK ( Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome).
• Effective CPR buys invaluable time
• No one should have to rely on 'luck' to survive a cardiac arrest

BeHEARTsafe communities just like Thurncourt ward, Leicester/Thurnby Lodge District and Community Association.