Our lifesaving Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) was installed on Wednesday 17th January 2018.
Visible from Plains Road near to the junction with Breckhill Road, the bright yellow cabinet is fitted at the side of the Top Tub launderette.
This is the most central location on Mapperley Top and the launderette is well known (having been there since the precinct opened in the early 1970s).
Most of those that contributed to the purchase and installation attended a photo call with the Nottingham Post.
Alan Dawson (Editor of Mapperley People) handed the AED to James Roys (of David James Estate Agents), who placed the device into the cabinet.
Whilst training is not necessary, several people gave up their time to see how it works. Those attending were from the Plains Fish Bar, Tipsy T, Bread and Bitter, AJ Richardson, Cheesecake Shop and Costa Coffee.
A demonstration of the equipment was provided by East Midlands Ambulance Service, using one of the meeting rooms at Haywood Road Community Centre.
So what did we learn?
We were reminded of the basic rules of dealing with a medical emergency, being reminded of the pneumonic DRS ABC
Check for Danger to you or others nearby. Eg Road traffic. Don’t put yourself at risk
Check for Responsiveness. Talk to the casualty. Can they hear you and communicate?
Shout for Help. Get someone to call 999 or 112.
Check the Airway. Look in the mouth for any obstruction
Check for Breathing.
Check for Circulation. Begin chest compression if necessary.
- 112 is the universal emergency number that is used throughout Europe. The advantage of using this number is that the Call-taker can identify your location if necessary.
- The Call-taker will advise whether there is an AED within 500 metres.
- Chest Compression should continue and will provide oxygenated blood for up to 8 minutes. Rescue breaths are not expected, although the AED does come with a face mask should you wish to use it.
- The Ambulance call taker will stay on the line where necessary.
- The Code for the Cabinet is retained by EMAS. Any use of the AED should involve a call to them. This ensures that the AED is maintained and always available.
The device we have purchased is a LIFEPAK CR Plus.
For more information go to https://www.physio-control.com
