Joi Demery, Chair of MLRA, explains the background and use of our new defibrillator:
Following a suggestion made by resident Shirley Stark, the Residents Association Committee discussed the possibility of obtaining a defibrillator for Merchants Landing. After research and discussion with British Heart Foundation, a decision was made at an MLRA AGM to begin the process of fundraising for the defibrillator.
There was discussion with Merchants Landing (Amenities) Ltd regarding the siting of the defibrillator as there needs to be access to mains electricity. The management company made provisions for the cabinet to be sited in the car park behind Merrick Court as part of their upgrading of the electrics on the estate.
A number of fund raising activities took place including raffles and donations, as part of the garden party and carols in the garden. There were profits from quizzes and a number of people made individual donations. The John Sebastian also helped us by not charging for the hire of the boat for the quizzes. Ben Ewing and Phoebe Phoebe Arrowsmith-Brown also generously donated their time and skills in fitting the cabinet and defibrillator.
The defibrillator and cabinet cost £1,763.99 and we will need to continue raise some funds to maintain the defibrillator and replace any parts required but this is not expensive.
The committee took the decision to place the defibrillator in a locked cabinet, as advised for the city centre location.
The defibrillator has now been fitted and is located between Merrick Court and Merchants Quay. It can be found in the car park behind Merrick Court, on the end wall of the garage behind 1 Merchants Quay. What3words: tigers.fake.trucks
We have signed up to The Circuit, which registers the defibrillator with the ambulance service, so it will be accessible to the public.
The defibrillator itself is small, light and portable, in its own carry bag, so does not have to be used in situ. The defibrillator is fully automated and easy to use. It guides you through a rescue operation using voice prompts and indicators. You do not have to be trained in CPR to use it.
We will, however look at whether we can organise some training if people would like it, hopefully in conjunction with Cabot Cruising Club.