PRIDE
What is PRIDE?
PRIDE is the PRIston DEfibrillator!
In 2009 Priston villagers raised the necessary funds for the purchase and installation of a Medtronic Lifepak CR Plus Fully
Automatic AED (Automated External Defibrillator). The Parish Council subsequently took over ownership and responsibility for maintenance of the defibrillator.
Subsequently an additional HeartSine Samaritan
PAD defibrillator was purchased through an anonymous donation. A third defibrillator was provided in February 2021, again through an anonymous donation.
In July 2020 a fourth defibrillator was installed in Wilmington. Funds were raised locally, and a grant was provided by the Duchy of Cornwall towards the cost.
Locations
The four defibrillators are located:
- on the side of the Priston Village Hall building;
- on the side of Willow Barn, Priston, by kind permission of Mr and Mrs Pai;
- opposite Holt House, in Farmborough Lane, Priston
- on the front of the garage of No. 1, Wilmington.
How to use the defibrillators (AED)
- to access the cabinet, dial 999. The operator
will advise you of the combination required to open
the cabinet;
- the combination to open the cabinet, plus a list of
individuals trained in AED use is also available to local residents on
request from John Wilkinson. However, you are advised to dial
999 in the event of an emergency, prior to using the AED;
- the AED provides verbal prompts as soon as it is switched on, advising how
to prepare the patient and when to apply chest compressions/CPR.
The HeartSine AED additionally provides feedback on whther CPR is
being applied effectively;
- the AED warns carers to move away when a shock is required
- the new HeartSine AED prompts the carer to
press a button to administer the sock;
- the old Medtronic AED applies the shock
automatically, without the need to press any
button;
- Note that all the AEDs
automatically analyse electrical
signals from the heart and will only apply
a shock when needed. It will not apply a
shock if the heart is working normally.
Training
Although use of the AED does not require training, training is very important not only in teaching you how to use the AED but also in showing you how apply CPR (cardiac-pulmonary resuscitation)/chest compressions. CPR is key to sustaining the patient both before and during AED use. If you are interested in receiving training then please register your interest with Roger Morrad at rogermorrad@icloud.com.