ACCESSIBLE, life-saving emergency equipment has been installed in a Dartmoor hamlet, thanks to a national charity.

The 'Shocking Now!' charity secured National Lottery Funding to launch a publicly-accessible defibrillator — or heart-starting machine — which was launched on Monday at Two Bridges.

Their programme, with on-going support from the South Western Ambulance Service, enables anyone to use this life-saving technology to improve the survival rate of a casualty who suffers a sudden cardiac arrest by up to 74%.

Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in the UK; 76,000 people die each year from it, yet with simple heart massage and prompt defibrillator use, many could survive.

The defibrillator is housed in a purpose built, key code-secured box outside the Two Bridges Hotel and is accessed at any time by calling 999.

Hotel manager Jared Lothian said he was pleased to be hosting the defibrillator.

'This area can be difficult to access when help is needed fast. I can't say we're looking forward to using our defib, but I feel we are completely prepared when the need arises.'

Kevin Theodore, Trustee of Shocking Now! stressed how easy the defibrillator was to use.

'Once you lift the lid, a voice tells you exactly what to do, but its life-saving shock must be delivered within about 12 minutes to be effective.

'I hope our installation encourages other rural communities to consider getting their own defibrillator to use whilst the ambulance is on its way.'

South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust community engagement officer, Rob Horton, added: 'Recent guidance from the UK Resuscitation Council confirms that defibrillators can be used safely and effectively with little or no training.

'We are delighted to be able to work with motivated communities to solve this time-critical access problem.'

If you would like to support the Shocking Now! campaign to put defibrillators into rural areas, details can be found http://www.shockingnow.org">www.shockingnow.org

The Big Lottery Fund distributes half of the National Lottery good cause funding across the UK.

The Fund aims to enable others to make real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need.