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Argoed Reform Club has unveiled a new life-saving defibrillator outside its building on Argoed High Street.

Chairman of the club, Stephen Davies, has thanked the community for its efforts, helping raise £1,200 for the piece of kit over the last 18 months.

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer, he said: “It’s been a great push from everyone, we’ve had local performers like Wayne Skin, Martin Luther, Lana Marie, and Nigel Clarke who ran shows helping us out, as well as some generous donations from local businesses.

“It’s a very important piece of kit which is now right in the middle of Argoed. It’s all installed and ready if anyone needs it.”

Currently in Wales, just 5% of people who have a cardiac arrest outside of hospital survive.

Survival rates fall by 10% every minute without CPR or a defibrillator. By using a defibrillator within three minutes of a cardiac arrest, a person’s chance of survival can be increased by as much as 70%.

Where are the nearest defibrillators to me?

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