Four weeks ago after a successful appeal for donations to purchase very expensive replacement batteries and electrode placement pads for five defibrillators, Newcastle Lions replaced these packs to defibrillators in Castlwellan and Newcastle.
On Tuesday, Newcastle Lions members were surprised to learn that in the previous hours one of the defibrillators managed by them, had been used in an incident to help someone in need. As shown in the photograph, the defibrillator was used.
The surprising thing was that this was the fourth defibrillator from a different location each time, that had been removed from its cabinet in the last ten days and taken to an incident. Thankfully in the case of the previous three, the defibrillators were not used and were returned to their cabinets.
In managing the ten defibrillators in Newcastle and Castlewellan, as a volunteer Newcastle Lion guardians , have to inspect each of the defibrillators on a regular basis. In doing this, they contact the Circuit / British Heart Foundation by email and confirm the defibrillator is emergency ready , the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service are also then made aware. In the case of the defibrillator that was used on Tuesday 12th April , the guardian had to order a new battery/pad pack. Newcastle Lions while highlighting this work in local papers also asked if you would like to make a donation towards the cost of maintaining the defibrillators you can visit www.lionsclubnewcastlecodown.org and click on the donate button . Newcastle lions are also glad to recruit new members whose work can include helping to manage the defibrillators. Details about Newcastle Lions are on their Facebook page Newcastle Lions ( County Down) or email lionsnewcastlecodown@yahoo.co.uk.
Photo 1 - Defibrillator guardians Newcastle Lions Dan O'Reilly and Tom Hughes install a new battery/electrode placement to a defibrillator.
photo2 - The used Newcastle defibrillator which then had to have a new battery and electrode placement renewed.
