Defibrillator back at Portelet public toilets
A PUBLIC ACCESS defibrillator has been returned to Portelet – and more of the type is set to be installed across the island.
The equipment, which can potentially help save the life of someone suffering a heart attack, was moved from the Portelet public toilets after being damaged in a fire more than two years ago.
Following the blaze, the automated external defibrillator was housed in the reception area of the nearby Imperial Hotel. The replacement cabinet’s installation work has been completed, meaning a defibrillator will be back at its Portelet site.
The work by AFM, overseen by the Cardiac Action Group, was completed mid-June, with the new green cabinet updated with a robust design similar to those seen at other PAD sites around the island.
Mike Froome, the group’s community resuscitation development officer, said they were delighted that the Portelet PAD site was up and running again in time for the summer season.
‘We have 55 PAD sites and another five about to be installed on kiosks and other buildings like this one and people are starting to become more aware of the location of them,’ he said.
‘The new cabinet makes it easy to see.
‘AEDs are simple to use and come with verbal instructions so can be used by anyone.
‘We are grateful to everyone who has supported the Cardiac Action Group in raising funds and awareness for the PAD site and with more funds being raised, we hope to install more defibrillators at key locations in the future.’
The Portelet defibrillator is one of a number of PAD sites in Guernsey maintained by the St John Emergency Ambulance Service and checked on a weekly basis by a team of volunteer guardians.
Deputy chief ambulance officer Dean de la Mare said it was important that the island had as many publicly accessible sites as possible and that people were confident using them.
‘If someone has a cardiac arrest their chances of survival improves if there is early CPR and early defibrillation before the ambulance arrives,’ he said.
n To use the PAD in an emergency contact 999 and the JESCC operator will provide a key-code number to open the cabinet and give CPR advice over the phone.
