TRAINING on how to use the newly-fitted defibrillator in Tavistock’s Bedford Square took place on June 17 — with more than 70 people of all ages benefiting.

Local resident and community first responder, Paul Johnson, and paramedic community responder officer for Devon, Ryan Ware, trained people on how to use the defibrillator.

The training followed the successful fundraising and installation of the public accessible automatic external defibrillator (AED) by Paul with contributions from local residents and local businesses.

The AED is available 24/7 to those in need within the community and is based on the wall of the shop House of Cards.

Paul said: ‘The day was one of the hottest this year but the turn out and interest from passers by was amazing. 

‘Having trained over 70 people, including children, it was more than we could have hoped for. I cannot thank all those involved enough. Without them this would not have been possible and is a testament to the community spirit — the support has been overwhelming.’

Paul would personally like to thank all those involved who provided either funding or the services to enable this project to go ahead, especially to the family of the late John Barren and to Devon County Councillor Debo Sellis.

A defibrillator gives a high energy electric shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest and is an essential life-saving step in the chain of survival. Around 30,000 people have a cardiac arrest each year outside the confines of a hospital.

The chance of survival after the heart stops falls by around 10% for every minute that passes without defibrillation, which is vital as it can take the emergency services several minutes, or possibly longer, to arrive.

There are several other defibrillators available in the town, including one in the Bedford Hotel and one on the outside of Tavyside Health Centre.

• Pictured is Paul Johnson with local residents and members of the South West Ambulance Service, Tavistock Rotary Club and local businesses. Picture by James Bird