The Lexicon and Bracknell Forest Council, in partnership with the national charity, the Community Heartbeat Trust (CHT) are delighted to announce that they have installed a defibrillator on March 5th, in the High Street, on the wall next to Game.
Defibrillator machines deliver an electric shock in Cardiac Arrest to stop fibrillation (vibrating) in the heart, and allow the heart to resume working normally. The quick use of Chest Compressions (CPR) followed by a defibrillator can give an unresponsive person the best chance of survival before an ambulance arrives.
The machine analyses the patient's heart rhythm and uses visual or voice prompts to guide people through each step.
To access, call 999. The cabinet at the Lexicon is not locked, but many are. If a locked cabinet is nearby, the ambulance service will tell you the access code. Take the defibrillator to the patient and switch it on. The defibrillator will give easy to follow instructions via audio and text display.
Gavin Vidler, deputy general manager at The Lexicon says: “We are delighted to be able to offer this new facility in the town centre for everyone to use, to complement the defibrillators that we already have in place at The Lexicon.
“Thanks to the Easthampstead Rotary Club for introducing us to the Community Heartbeat Trust and so helping make it happen.”
Marc Brunel-Walker, executive member for economic development and regeneration, said: “Using a defibrillator makes a significant difference to the survival rate of someone in cardiac arrest. It will be part of a network of more than 45 defibrillators available in public places around the borough.”
Martin Fagan, National Secretary of CHT says: “Having a defibrillator as part of an emergency procedure will save lives. The Lexicon is a busy area, and therefore with leisure facilities and food outlets there is an increased risk of Cardiac Arrest. Cardiac Arrest can be due to a Heart Attack, choking, injury and a great many other causes. Only helping people understand that it is better to do something rather than nothing, and to undertake CPR and use a defibrillator, will lives be saved.”