Defibrillators

A defibrillator is a potentially life-saving device that gives a high energy electric shock to the heart through the chest wall to someone who is in cardiac arrest. They are safe and easy to use and will only administer an electric shock if it is needed.

Cowes Town Council has been working closely with the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service to ensure Cowes has a good coverage of defibrillators available for community use.  We have produced a leaflet which we hope both residents and visitors will find useful, providing information about the use of defibrillators and a location map of units available throughout Cowes.  Please print the leaflet and retain for future reference.

The Town Council has arranged the installation of three defibrillators around the town for use by the community on victims of sudden cardiac arrest (heart attacks).  The units have been funded by the British Heart Foundation following a successful bid from the Town Council.

In the event of an emergency dial 999 and ask for an ambulance before you do anything else. The operator will advise the location of the nearest defibrillator and, if it is in a locked cabinet, give you the number code to unlock the cabinet.

The defibrillator itself is a fully mobile unit, kept inside a heated cabinet to ensure that it is kept in full working order. When the defibrillator is opened, full instructions are given, both spoken and with diagrams.

YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE TRAINED TO USE THIS EQUIPMENT – THE DEVICE WILL TALK YOU THROUGH WHAT YOU NEED TO DO. REMEMBER TO DIAL 999 FIRST.

New Holmwood Hotel, Cowes – external defibrillator

For a current list of defibrillators throughout Cowes and its neighbouring area, please https://www.cowestowncouncil.org.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Defibrillators-within-the-Town-Updated-list-October-2018.pdf

Further information on Defibrillators can be found on the British Heart Foundation website: https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/how-to-save-a-life/defibrillators

The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service provides First Aid, Medical Emergencies, Manual Handling and Driver Training.  For information please call (01983) 534111 or visit www.iow.nhs.uk/act

The Heartsafe website provides mapping of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) throughout the UK: http://www.heartsafe.org.uk/

The Town Council wishes to thank the New Holmwood Hotel, Cowes Yacht Haven and Shepards Wharf for locating the units for community use and for their ongoing commitment to maintain the units, further details of which can found at this link: https://www.cowestowncouncil.org.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Defibrillator-locations-for-website.pdf

For current and up-to-date guidance on how to perform CPR and use a defibrillator while there is the risk of the coronavirus (Covid-19) please visit the Resuscitation Council UK.

Due to the current coronavirus outbreak, there are several important changes to CPR that the Resuscitation Council UK advise. If you find someone unconscious follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Shake and shout for help.
Step 2: Call 999.
Step 3: Do not put your face close to theirs. Use a towel or a piece of clothing and lay it over their mouth and nose.
Step 4: Give chest compressions only – do not give rescue breaths.
Step 5: Continue until an ambulance arrives.
Step 6: After the ambulance have taken over wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol based hand gel.