A sudden cardiac arrest can happen at any time to any person. Southend has a population of over 180,000 and 6.4 million visitors, but very few defibrillators available 24/7. These devices can help save lives by delivering a high energy shock. Rotary is addressing this provision gap. We need your help to add to those already installed along the very busy seafront area. This stage of the project is an appeal to provide three more units between the Pier and Shoeburyness.
Approximately every 6 minutes someone in England is admitted to hospital having suffered a cardiac arrest. There are around 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in England each year. The overall survival rate for an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is just 10% because of the lack of fast access to available defibrillators.
The first 4 minutes following a cardiac arrest is crucial. If Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) can be started quickly, and there is access to a defibrillator, it can make the difference between life or death. The units we source, fit and maintain are among the best available. They automatically check the patient and talk the user through what needs to be done - if anything. They are designed to be used by anyone without any prior medical knowledge.
Rotary will provide ongoing CPR training sessions and increase public awareness of the importance of defibrillators and how easy they are to use. We will collate and update a register of defibrillator sites. The project will be expanded in phases and continue to place defibrillators in accessible public places throughout South East Essex.
