Near fatal incident prompts Rotary response

When a member of Taunton Vale Rotary Club suffered a heart attack following a game of golf, prompt C.P.R. by Golf Club staff and the immediate availability of a defibrillator saved his life.

In response, the club quickly rearranged its programme, inviting a trainer from South West Ambulance to give members advice on initial resuscitation and to demonstrate the use of a cardiac defibrillator.

Secondly, Past President, Colin Barrell, who runs Mr Miles Tea Rooms in the High Street, conducted an informal experiment to discover what might happen if one of his customers or staff suffered a cardiac event.  While he found there were two defibrillators in stores within 100 metres, it took nearly 10 minutes to determine where they were and who had authority to use them.  As Colin observed: “By that time the patient would probably be dead.”

As a result, Taunton Vale Rotary Club is now co-operating with other local organisations to improve access to existing facilities and to take part in a trial where more defibrillators can be placed in the town centre in locations which can offer 24/7 access.

Briefing by John Warren, S.W. Ambulance, on the importance of prompt C.P.R. and use of a defibbrillator<br>