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A local heart health charity's campaign to create a network of life-saving devices across the island has resulted in more than 80 being installed – including five in recent weeks.
JT and Jersey Heart Support Group have installed two public access defibrillators in St Helier to “provide reassurance that life-saving emergency equipment is readily available if needed”.
It comes shortly after a pair of St Brelade-based watersports companies installed two defibrillators in the bay following a community fundraiser, while another was installed in the parish after an 11-year-old raised enough money to install one in his home estate by doing chores and selling apples.
The latest emergency heart-starting devices to be installed are located outside JT’s headquarters at the Forum in Grenville Street and the former JT shop in Minden Place.
The two new Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) join a network of more than 80 yellow and green cabinets in prominent places around the island.
This includes parish halls, Jersey Zoo, the Liberation Station and opposite the public entrance to the States Chamber.
Pictured: During a sudden cardiac arrest, an automated external defibrillator delivers an electric shock to the heart to restore normal rhythm.
Derren Le Breton Glover, Property and Health and Safety Manager, from JT, said: “Having a large network of Public Access Defibrillators provides reassurance that life-saving emergency equipment is readily available if needed.
“Knowing the location of a defibrillator can be the difference between life and death and with more of them in prominent known locations, members of the public can get to them or be informed by the emergency services where the nearest portable machine can be found.”
The charity Jersey Heart Support Group started installing AEDs in public areas a decade ago and has relied on donations and sponsorship to expand the network to over 80 today.
Pictured: St John Ambulance member Rory Docherty (11) was awarded the title of Lions' Junior Young Ambassador of the Year after his fundraising efforts to get a defibrillator installed on his estate.
Mandi Corley Harris, Chair of the Jersey Heart Support Group, said: “It is vitally important that the emergency services know where every defibrillator is but not all will be accessible, and that’s why we are so pleased when companies like JT sponsor two that anyone can use in an emergency.
“Training is also given to members of staff so that they can use them quickly and confidently.
“A few years ago, we started a campaign to ‘Liberate Defibrillators’ so that more AEDs could be made available on the outside of buildings in external cabinets.
“We rely on support from companies and individuals who are community-minded and want to help us save lives.”
St Brelade's Bay gets life-saving equipment thanks to fundraiser
WATCH: Do you know how to use a defibrillator? Here's how...
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