New ‘lifesaving’ medical kit installed at swim school's town centre HQ

PEOPLE suffering cardiac arrest in Northwich now have a better chance of getting potentially lifesaving medical help.

A new public access defibrillator has been installed at Puddleducks Mid Cheshire, a kids’ swimming school which has its own tuition pool near Weaver Way in Barons Quay.

A defibrillator is a device which delivers a high-energy electric shock to a person in cardiac arrest, with the intention of restoring their heart to a more regular rhythm.

The new device, stored in a weatherproof box on the outside wall of Puddleduck’s swimming pool at unit 8, is the result of close partnership working between the swim school, Barons Quay, and Northwich Town Council.

Rachel Bateson, franchise manager of Puddle Ducks Mid Cheshire, said: “Defibrillators are such a vital piece of equipment which can literally save lives.

"By having one available on our building, it’s on hand for our community to use should it ever be needed.

"It was also so lovely of deputy town mayor Kate Cernik, and Cath Kirwan from Northwich Town Council, to come along for the installation. It really is such an important addition to our town.

“At Puddle Ducks we're passionate about teaching lifesaving skills in the water. It’s really rewarding to be able to now provide a lifesaving piece of equipment on dry land.”

According to Resuscitation Council UK, for every minute a person in cardiac arrest goes with having CPR and a defibrillator used on them, their chances of surviving the episode decrease by 10 per cent.

The new device takes the total number of public access defibrillators in Northwich to 24.

Northwich town clerk, Chris Shaw, said: “Northwich Town Council in partnership with Puddleducks and Barons Quay have installed an additional lifesaving AED.

“Through close partnership working we continue to make Northwich a destination that we can all be proud of, and we are grateful to Puddleducks and Barons Quay for supporting another fantastic initiative for the town."