LIFE SAVING DEFIBRILLATOR INSTALLED IN KIRKBY TOWN CENTRE TO HELP SAVE LIVES

St. Modwen has supplied a brand new publicly-accessible life saving defibrillator in Kirkby Town Centre.

The defibrillator has been fitted to the wall outside Iceland and alongside the Bus Station on Cherryfield Drive. The portable medical device offers immediate, 24/7 life- saving support and could help save people who suffer cardiac arrest until paramedics arrive.

Kirkby Town Centre, owned and managed by the expert developer and regeneration specialist, is a large public area and St. Modwen has funded the defibrillator to support the local community and help save lives.

The town centre security team have all been trained to use the defibrillator, and will be on hand immediately if an emergency occurs.

Defibrillators are easy to use and crucial in saving the life of a person who has suffered a cardiac arrest.

In the event that a member of the public needs to access the defibrillator they will need to call the emergency services immediately who will provide an access code to release the equipment. Clear instructions and visual prompts are provided to guide the user on how to treat the patient.

Mike Matthews, Kirkby Town Centre Manager, said: “Every second counts when someone collapses and stops breathing. These devices are simple to use by anyone with little or no training. The sooner it is used in a collapse from a suspected heart attack, the better the chances are of it saving a life.

“If a defibrillator is used and effective CPR is performed within 3-5 minutes of cardiac arrest, chances of survival increase from 6% to 74%.
“We have also trained all town centre security staff on how to use the defibrillator. The safety of the local community is our main priority and I’m confident this defibullator will make a difference in Kirkby Town Centre.”