Senedd joins life-saving scheme

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The Welsh assembly has become the latest and most high-profile building in Wales to install a life-saving device for heart attack victims.

The scheme to place defibrillators in public places has been running for 10 months, and experts say their presence raises survival rates dramatically.

Staff at each of the sites are trained in using the devices, which deliver an electric shock to the heart.

The Senedd in Cardiff received the 26th one from the Welsh Ambulance Service.

Since it was launched in March, more than 280 people have been trained to use the defibrillators.

Every second counts when you are trying to save someone's life Mick Colquhoun, Welsh Ambulance Service They have been put in busy places such as railway stations and shopping centres to give the life-saving care needed before the ambulance arrives.

Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust medical director Mick Colquhoun said: "The overall survival rate for England and Wales is 27%, where a defibrillator has been present.

"This is a huge benefit when you think the current ambulance service figure is about 3%."

Gary Humphries, now 51, was saved three years ago when he collapsed in Hawthorn Leisure Centre, Treforest, which already had a defibrillator.

DEFIBRILLATOR LOCATIONS Railway stations: Bridgend; Cardiff Central; Cardiff Queen Street; Carmarthen; Neath; Newport; Pontypridd; Port Talbot; Swansea; Machynlleth; AberystwythFerry ports: Fishguard; HolyheadShopping centres: McArthur Glen, Bridgend; Quadrant , Swansea; Queens Arcade, Cardiff; Riverside, Haverfordwest; St Elli, Llanelli; Parc Trostre, Llanelli; Tesco, Llanelli; Wrexham; AberavonOther sites: National Botanic Gardens, Carmarthenshire; Cardiff International Airport

He said: "If it wasn't for the quick response of trained staff and the fact that a defibrillator was available at the leisure centre, I wouldn't be here today."

Around 8,000 people in Wales die each year from coronary heart disease and reducing the number of deaths is one of the Welsh Assembly Government's top health priorities.

The assembly government provided £80,000 for equipment and has promised an annual £61,000 for training costs to the Welsh Ambulance Service.

Dr Colquhoun said: "Every second counts when you are trying to save someone's life and the sooner defibrillation is performed the greater the chance of survival.

Gary Humphries suffered his heart attack just before Christmas 2003"The delivery of a controlled electric shock from a defibrillator within 90 seconds gives an 85 - 90% chance of success.

"For every minute this action is delayed, the chances of successfully reviving that person diminish by 10 - 14%."

Retired bus driver Lyn James, 74, was saved by the swift action of trained staff and a defibrillator when he suffered a heart attack in the Wales National Pool in Swansea.

Mr James said: "I owe my life to them and I'm so grateful. I seem to have picked the right place, the right time and the right people.

"A fortnight before, I was fishing at Rhossili and went for a swim in the sea there by myself. If it had happened then in 30 feet of water I'd have been a goner."

The scheme is supported by the British Heart Foundation and the Welsh Ambulance Service carries out all the training.