Littleborough Boxing & Fitness Club homes life-saving equipment

Julie Durrant & Mark Oldham from Littleborough Boxing and Fitness Club with Rod Cape of North West Ambulance Service with the new CPAD (Community Public Access Defibrillator)

Littleborough Boxing and Fitness Club is to host the first Community Public Access Defibrillators (CPAD) in the centre of Littleborough.

The CPAD is stored in a briefcase-sized box on the wall outside the club's premises at 21 Church Street, Littleborough.

CPADs can be found in public spaces and are there for anyone to use on someone in cardiac arrest.

Sara Harris, Community Resuscitation Manager at North West Ambulance, said: "The machine gives clear spoken instructions. You don't need training to use one. Once in position, the defibrillator detects the heart's rhythm. It won't deliver a shock unless one is needed.

"After a cardiac arrest, every minute without CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and defibrillation reduces someone's chance of survival by 10 per cent.

"When you call 999, the operator can tell you if there's a public access defibrillator nearby. Don't delay or interrupt chest compressions to get it, send someone else."

Speaking on behalf of the club, Julie Durrant said she is delighted that the club is home to the life saving equipment.  She added: "We now want to work with North West Ambulance Service to ensure that everyone in the local community is aware of its location."

Though you don't need any training to use the device, Littleborough Boxing and Fitness Club is looking to put on free CPR training sessions in conjunction with North West Ambulance and also talk people through how CPADs work.

If you are interested contact Julie Durrant:

07507 057692