A.F. Blakemore has purchased 10 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to be installed at seven main sites across the business.At each of the seven sites, the defibrillators will be located on the wall in lockable boxes. In the case of an emergency, the code for the box can be retrieved by calling 999.
No training is required to use a defibrillator and applying it to someone who does not need it will not cause harm.
The company’s Group Health & Safety department will be promoting awareness amongst colleagues along with the support of Duncan Parsonage of Abacus Training.
Duncan is a state-registered paramedic with a mission to ensure timely public accessibility to defibrillators in emergencies.
Duncan explained: “NHS paramedic response times are falling short of targets due to increased call volumes and there is a growing likelihood that the ambulance service may not arrive quickly enough to save a patient who has suffered a sudden cardiac arrest.”
250 people die from sudden cardiac arrest in the UK each day; that is about 90,000 per year. Survival rates as high as 75% have been achieved when a defibrillator is nearby and promptly deployed.
Group Board Director Tom Blakemore said: “As a large family business we have a responsibility to provide access to the most up-to-date life-saving equipment should an emergency ever arise.
“A defibrillator is an essential step in the chain of survival when dealing with sudden cardiac arrest, and by making plans to install 10 at our larger sites across the business with higher footfall, we have made sure that staff and visitors to the buildings receive the best possible chance.”
10 AEDs will be installed at the company’s head office site and regional distribution centres.
For more information please visit www.afblakemore.com.
