PUBLIC ACCESS DEFIBRILLATORS (PAD's)
Whilst our primary role is responding to 999 medical emergencies of behalf of the Welsh Ambulance Service the Porthcawl Community First Responders are committed to deploying Public Access Defibrillators (PAD's) around the Porthcawl area and well as raising awareness and providing community practical sessions around the use of CPR and defibrillators. PAD's are placed at public buildings or key locations around the local community to be used by members of the public in cases of Sudden Cardiac Arrest. When there is a PAD near the location of a cardiac arrest the Ambulance Control Centre will pass the details of its location along with any passwords or key codes needed to get access to the PAD.
Each PAD costs in the region of £1500 to £2000 to procure, install and maintain (this includes the defibrillator and its storage cabinet). Due to the generosity and support of the Porthcawl community we have to date managed to deliver seventeen 24/7 PAD facilities at the locations shown in the following map:-
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THE EXACT LOCATION OF THESE 24/7 PUBLIC ACCESS DEFIBRILLATORS
(AND THEIR 4 DIGIT SECURITY ACCESS CODE)
IS OBTAINABLE FROM THE AMBULANCE SERVICE BY RINGING 999
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In addition to the support of local people and organisations in providing the cabinets and defibrillators we are extremely grateful to Moss Technical Services for their assistance in fitting the cabinets and connecting several of the devices to an electrical supply for heating in very exposed locations.
For details of all the PADS registered with the Welsh Ambulance Service via the British Heart Foundation "The Circuit" database that is accessible by all UK Ambulance Services. For details of the PAD within your local community click here and enter your Town or PostCode.
It is a key aim of the Porthcawl Community First Responder Team to provide PAD and Basic Life Support (BLS) training to residents of Porthcawl. However as a Team we have also been involved in supplying PAD training within the Bridgend County Borough, including at the Coytrahen Community Centre and Sarn Social Club as well as supporting neighbouring CFR teams at Coity and the in the Garw Valley. In addition we have conducted a number in other locations including the Monkstone Boating Club at Briton Ferry.
Within the Porthcawl area we have supplied free 'CPR & Defibrillator Awareness and Practical' sessions at several locations including:-
- Portway Surgery (now the Porthcawl Medical Centre)
- 4th Porthcawl Brownie Group
- Porthcawl Rugby Football Club
- Porthcawl Athletic Club
- St Davids Church Hall, Nottage
- Old School Room (Church Hall) on Newton Green
- Porthcawl Fire & Rescue Station
- Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church
- Cornelly Surgery
- Griffin Park Bowls Pavilion
- Prince of Wales Bowls Club
- Hi-Tide Inn (Porthcawl Runners)
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If you feel that you would be able to help us in securing funding for additional PADS within the Porthcawl community please contact us by clicking here.