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A new heart defibrillator has been installed in Markham.
The potentially life-saving equipment can be used to help people who are having a cardiac arrest.
What is a cardiac arrest?
Someone experiencing a cardiac arrest will collapse suddenly. They will be unconscious and unresponsive.
Their breathing will also be affected, with some people not breathing at all during a cardiac arrest.
A cardiac arrest often happens without warning.
Without immediate treatment or medical attention, someone experiencing a cardiac arrest will die.
If you see someone having a cardiac arrest, call 999 immediately and start performing CPR on them.
During the EURO 2020 football match between Denmark and Finland in June, Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsed to the floor after suffering a cardiac arrest.
He was swiftly treated on the pitch with a defibrillator – which saved his life.
The defibrillator has been installed outside the Markham and District Sports and Community Centre, which is between Markham Primary School and the playing fields.
Anyone needing to use the machine will have to call 999 in order to receive a code to unlock the cabinet in which it is stored.
The defibrillator was bought by the centre after a donation from Argoed Community Council.
Defibrillators usually cost around £1,300.
Centre manager Sharon Burrell said lessons on how to use the equipment will be provided to residents living in the Argoed ward. However, a defibrillator can still be used by someone who has received no training, should an emergency occur.
Councillor Walter Williams, who represents the Markham ward on Argoed Community Council, as well as the Argoed ward on Caerphilly County Borough Council, welcomed the installation.
Cllr Williams said: “I hope the defibrillator will be respected as the life-saving machine it is.”
The defibrillator was installed free of charge by electrician Matt Taylour, of Taylour Electrical.
On October 2, Mr Taylour will be running the London Marathon to raise money for the charity Shine, which supports people living with spina-bifida and/or hydrocephalus. To make a donation to the cause, visit his online fundraising page.
Meanwhile, anyone who wants to attend the defibrillator lessons can call the Markham and District Sports and Community Centre on 01495 226370.
How to use a defibrillator
- Step 1: Turn the defibrillator on by pressing the green button and follow its instructions.
- Step 2: Peel off the sticky pads and attach them to the patient’s skin, one on each side of the chest, as shown in the picture on the defibrillator.
- Step 3: Once the pads have been attached, stop CPR and don’t touch the patient. The defibrillator will then analyse the patient’s heart rhythm.
- Step 4: The defibrillator will assess whether a shock is needed and if so, it will tell you to press the shock button. An automatic defibrillator will shock the patient without prompt. Do not touch the patient while they are being shocked.
- Step 5: The defibrillator will tell you when the shock has been delivered and whether you need to continue CPR.
- Step 6: Continue with chest compressions and rescue breaths until the patient shows signs of life or the defibrillator tells you to stop so it can analyse the heartbeat again.
Source: British Heart Foundation
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