Lifesaving defibrillators have been installed across the Ogmore Valley thanks to the hard work of Ogmore Valley First Responders and funding by Pennant Walters.
Two lifesaving devices have been installed, with a further two set to be fitted, in strategic locations across the valley after the group of community volunteers, who make up the Ogmore Valley First Responders. The four new publicly accessible devices will take the total number of defibrillators situated across the valley to six.
Ogmore Valley First Responders, which runs on a volunteer basis to provide life-saving treatment to those people in the community who are critically injured or ill in the first few minutes prior to the arrival of an ambulance, has been working to secure funding for the equipment for over a year.
Ogmore Valley First Responder, Gwyn Roberts, said:
“As a group we work hard to help those people in the community that may fall ill or have an accident and having a defibrillator close by can literally save someone’s life. We have been working hard to increase the number of defibrillators in the area and this funding is just fantastic.”
The newly installed defibrillators are accessible 24/7 and located outside the Londis Store on Commercial Street, Nantymoel and the Wyndham Boys and Girls Club. Two further defibrillators are set to be installed in the near future.
Gwyn continued:
“Upon ringing through to the emergency services, you will be told that a defibrillator is nearby and how to use it. Anyone can use the devices and there are clear instructions on how to attach the defibrillator pads. Once attached, the pads assess the heart’s rhythm and will only instruct and allow the user to deliver a shock if it is needed. The user cannot deliver a shock accidentally.”
Janet Harris, a member of Nantymoel Community Council, added:
“Having these defibrillators in place across the Ogmore Valley is fantastic. On behalf of the local community I’d like to thank Pennant Walters for its support in making the village safer for residents and visitors.”
The fund is linked to the construction of the new, but standalone, Pant y Wal Wind Extension Farm, adjacent to Ogwr Valley.
Pennant Walters Managing Director, Dale Hart, said:
“We are delighted to play our part in helping to improve survival rates for out of hospital cardiac arrests. Should anyone suffer an out of hospital cardiac arrest, easy access to a defibrillator dramatically increases their chance of survival and recovery. Our wind energy project community fund exists to make a difference to the local communities in which we work and we’re happy these defibrillators will benefit locals and visitors alike.”
