Life-saving defibrillator installed in Cwmdare
Local energy company, Pennant Walters, has supported and contributed to the installation of the first defibrillator in the village of Cwmdare.
The lifesaving device has been installed near Cwmdar Primary School as part of the Grwp Diffibriliwr Cwmdar’s commitment to increase the number of defibrillators across the Valleys area.
The funding was provided by Pennant Walters through a fund linked to its 9 turbine 22MW Mynydd Bwllfa windfarm near Aberdare in Rhondda Cynon Taf, which became operational in summer 2015.
The defibrillator, which is accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, is maintained by the group, which carries out regular inspections.
Steve Jenkins, a member of the ‘Grwp Diffibriliwr Cwmdar’ is one of the many people who now monitors the defibrillator. He said:
“We are delighted to install this defibrillator in the village so that we can help to improve survival rates for out of hospital cardiac arrests.
“We have already trained many people in its use, including members of the community, school governors and pupils at Cwmdar Primary.”
A defibrillator is a device that gives a high-energy electric shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest.
Steve continued:
“Anyone can use the publicly-accessible device and there are clear instructions on how to attach the defibrillator pads. Once attached, the pads assess the heart’s rhythm and will only instruct and allow the user to deliver a shock if it is needed. The user cannot deliver a shock accidentally.
“On behalf of everyone who lives, works and travels through the village I’d like to thank Pennant Walters for their help in preparing our village to help in situations of cardiac arrest, should the worst happen.”
Pennant Walters managing director Dale Hart said:
“We are delighted to have provided this funding to allow the purchase of a life-saving defibrillator.
“Our wind energy projects come with community funds that we use to invest in projects such as this and our aim is to bring very real benefits to the communities in the vicinity of our projects, providing financial assistance and expertise where we can.”
