Life-saving technology has been installed at a popular tourist attraction.
A defibrillator has been purchased for the Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) to help lead the fight for every heartbeat.
The machine, which can provide shocks to re-start the heart in the event of cardiac arrest, has been made possible by funds donated by Sheffield-based Westfield Health and charity the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
YSP staff will be shown how to use the defibrillator in an emergency by the Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS).
A defibrillator is a portable machine that can help restart the heart by delivering a controlled electric shock through the chest wall.
When someone has a cardiac arrest, defibrillation needs to be prompt. For every minute that passes without defibrillation, chances of survival decrease by around 10%.
Belinda Eldridge, Director of Operations at YSP, said: “The safety and wellbeing of all visitors to YSP is of paramount importance to us, so we are incredibly grateful to the British Heart Foundation and Westfield Health for their generous donation of a defibrillator.”
Graham Moore, chairman of Westfield Health, said: “When someone is experiencing cardiac arrest, the first few minutes are critical. If someone can perform effective treatment within this time, the chance of survival is seriously increased.
“While we hope it will never need to be used, if it saves just one life, the machine will have been invaluable.”
Lauren Mallinson, BHF Community Fundraising Manager, says: “The British Heart Foundation is delighted to have raised enough money to help fund this defibrillator at such a busy, rural location.
“It is estimated that there are around 60,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year. Having more defibrillators available locally for these emergencies is crucial to saving more lives.”
Emma Scott, YAS Community Defibrillation Officer, added: “At Yorkshire Ambulance Service we are passionate about the placement of defibrillators and have witnessed their value time and time again when lives are saved because of these machines. We are therefore thrilled with the donation of a defibrillator to Yorkshire Sculpture Park and thank staff for their commitment to saving lives.”
To apply for similar life-saving equipment, visit bhf.org.uk to find out how. If you’d like to organise a fundraising event for the BHF to help raise money to fight for every heartbeat, please contact Lauren Mallinson on 07714 069126 or mallinsonl@bhf.org.uk
