IMPROVING the public’s understanding of defibrillators is the goal of a newly-founded group in Kingswood.

Kingswood Village Defib Awareness Group was established by Dr David Owen and Professor Gordon Wilcock following concern about accessing the village’s lifesaving machines whilst under the stress of situation.

David Owen said: “Of the 36,000 people in the UK who suffer an ‘out of hospital’ cardiac arrest each year, approximately 10 per cent will be saved if CPR is correctly applied.

“However, this number can dramatically rise to 50 per cent survival if a defib is employed alongside CPR, and of course around 80 per cent of these cardiac arrests occur in or near the home”.

Members of the group that there is a lack of general awareness of where the defibs in the village are located, and how they can be accessed.

Mr Owen added: “Everyone should feel confident and able to use a defib.

“The important thing to remember is that these machines are automatic – they won’t ‘shock’ a patient unless it is necessary, and they can’t harm a patient.

“Remember, anyone, of any age and in any place can suffer a cardiac arrest.

“Knowing basic first aid procedures, how to do CPR and how to use a defib is something we should all view as a personal responsibility”.

The awareness group has been set up under an umbrella of supporting organisations, which currently includes, amongst others, the parish council, the South Western Ambulance Service, the patients participation group of the Chipping Surgery in Wotton, The Kingswood Village Association, The Village Hall Committee, WI and the British Heart Foundation.

All these organisations are helping to support a stand for Defib Awareness at Kingswood Showday on September 2.

It is hoped that the group could be used as a model to help other communities to raise awareness of the life-saving machines.