Cardiac Arrest

We could give you many facts and figures, but the only one that is important is that a Cardiac arrest is when the heart stops pumping blood around the body. Applying a controlled shock within five minutes of collapse provides the best possible chances of survival, this shock is provided by a Defibrillator also called an AED, and there are now over 6,000 public access defibrillators in the UK. Knowing how to use one, and being able to carry out chest compressions, (CPR) is the other skill, which goes with using a Defibrillator. Having the knowledge to carry out CPR and an AED could possibly help you to save someone’s life wherever you happen to be. If there is NO AED available then being able to carry out CPR could be vital to keeping the blood supply going around the body until an AED arrives. As Community Responders for West Midlands Ambulance Service we are now trained to teach these skills. We will also continue to take blood pressures, at every opportunity, because high blood pressure is a contributor to heart conditions and strokes.

2012 has had its highs and lows for us. Receiving our Queen’s Jubilee Medal for our service to the Community was indeed a high point. Periodically we have to go out on the Ambulances, and in December Barbara survived a 12 hour shift. I’m still trying to convince her that this was another high point! Then, recently, a dear friend to Barbara of some 35 years suffered a Cardiac arrest, outside the village hall in Oxhill, Barbara was first on scene within 2 minutes, giving CPR and Defibrillator shocks, sadly though the outcome was not what we wanted, however hard we tried. Like many others who knew her, this was a big shock and hit us hard, we shall all miss her.

We are your Community Responders, as volunteers we do not receive any funds or payments from the Ambulance Service, we do however get the very best of training , so should you feel we are a worthy cause, please contact us.

This site is maintained by villagers of Oxhill for the benefit of the community and those interested in the history, news and activities that make the village such a pleasant place to live.

Send mail to the editor of the Oxhill News at news-editor @ oxhill.org.uk.

Last modified: February 09, 2013