Community Defibrillators AEDs
Four emergency Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) are located at key places in Cosgrove:
- The Barley Mow Public House, The Stocks
- The Village Hall, Bridge Road
- The Scout Camp at The Quarries, Stratford Road
- Cosgrove Park's gatehouse.
Using the Defibrillators
- Dial 999 or 112 from a mobile to speak to the ambulance service, they'll take you through the correct procedure to assess the needs of the casualty
- When appropriate they will take you to the nearest AED and provide a 4 digit number to open the cabinet. The operator will advise you how to proceed.
- If available and appropriate CPR should be carried out on the casualty and continue while the AED is being brought to the casualty and prepared for applying the patches.
To use the AED:
- Open the bag and remove the device,
- Locate the "ON" button and press to switch on the AED.
- The operator will explain how to use the AED.
- Once switched on, the device is programmed to provide instructions. Follow the instructions given.
- Remove the patches from the holder on the back of the AED.
- Expose the casualty's chest,
- Remove metal jewellery from the neck and chest and wired undergarments
- Apply the patches to the casualty's skin, as illustrated on each patch.
- Plug the wires into the AED and listen to the instructions.
Note: CPR must continue until the activated AED announces to stop touching the casualty, while it performs an analysis of the casualty's heart rhythm. Follow the instructions given by the AED and continue until expert help arrives.
AEDs are precision devices that monitor the condition of the casualty's heart rhythms. On occasion the device will not need to provide a shock and will tell the first aider to continue with CPR. This is normal and CPR must continue until the ambulance arrives and the paramedics take over.
Training
The Red Cross, St John's Ambulance and private medical companies provide First Aid courses. Sign up and help to save a life.
