Fylde's defibrillators upgraded to ensure they can keep saving lives

Defibrillators use electrical pulses to counteract the cardiac arrythmias leading to full cardiac arrest, allowing an operator to potentially save the life of a person experiencing critical irregularities in their heartbeat.

Fylde Council have maintained defibrillators in locations throughout the borough for several years, and it was recently decided on new replacements to ensure their availability in times of urgent need.

Coun Thomas Threlfall, chairman of the council’s Enviromental, Health and Housing Committee, said: “A single life lost for the lack of an accessible defibrillator is one too many.

"I’m pleased that the Environmental, Health and Housing Committee have been able to make sure these vital pieces of equipment continue to be available.

"We will continue to focus on increasing the number of these life-saving apparatus in strategic locations.”

Town centre locations of defibrillators in Fylde include on the toilet blocks close to St Annes rail station and Kirkham Market Square.

Many more, including in buildings such as schools, have been funded by community efforts, such as the Lytham St Annes Lions swimarathon.

According to the North West Ambulance Service, there are around 3,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year in the North West, but just one in 15 people survive.

Immediate CPR and defibrillation can more than double the chances of survival.

Should you need to make use of a defibrillator, contact 999 urgently. You will be directed to the nearest cabinet, provided an access code, and given instruction on what to do next.