With COVID restrictions easing yet further now is a good time to introduce new members and key holders to the arrangements for the defibrillator and to remind existing members who might not have been to the field for a while.
A few years ago, we raised money and bought a defibrillator which is kept in the cabinet on the wall near the toilet door along with some first aid kits. The cabinet door is easily opened by just turning the two latches on the right-hand side, the door is not locked
Inside the cabinet you will find the SP-1 Semi Automatic defibrillator, a pack of spare pads, monthly check lists and an instruction card. The Defibrillator is in an orange sleeve and already has a set of pads connected which are tucked into special pockets so if needed all you need to do is pull the pads out open it, switch it on and call 999. The unit itself will guide you through what to do as will the Ambulance Service who answered your 999 call. Remember the pads are in packets to keep them clean before you attach them, these will need to be removed just prior to attaching them.
This unit is registered with Yorkshire Ambulance Service and forms part of the community defibrillator access program but on a very limited basis. If somebody within a few hundred metres of the club house calls 999 and needs a defibrillator, they might call the club house to see if anyone is there and could give them access to use our unit.
There is a mobile phone mounted on your immediate left as you enter the club house. This is registered with Yorkshire Ambulance Service and is intended for emergency use, both for you to call for help if needed or for the ambulance service to call us if the unit is needed in the event of an emergency nearby.
If somebody needs the unit, it is the intention that they will come for it but be prepared to take it to them if required. Because this unit forms part of a limited access program that covers a radius of only a few hundred metres from the club house, this should not be too onerous.
When you are at the field, please can you switch this phone on and if the battery is flat, a charger is plugged in just above it and the lead is long enough to reach it in its’ holder.
The Defib’ and phone are checked about once a month but please take the opportunity to familiarise yourself with this equipment and in particular take a look at the instruction card in the cabinet.
You do not need to be trained to be able to use this equipment, it is just the same as accessing one you might find in the street and the Ambulance Service will talk you through its use and will stay with you on the phone until the responders arrive. You might need to provide them with the gate code to assist their access.
An excellent training and familiarisation video is available by following this link:
iPAD SP1 AED (defibrillator) training video - YouTube
If you are medically trained or if you are trained as a first aider in the use of defibrillators, please could make this known to a committee member.