A NEW defibrillator could be situated in Tavistock’s Bedford Square thanks to the initiative of a resident and contributions from local people.

Resident Paul Johnson has gathered support and financial contributions for a defibrillator to be placed centrally in the town and accessible for all — a project that has been around ten months in the planning.

It is hoped the device will be placed on the town hall on the corner of Bedford Square and Duke Street, as suggested by the town council’s conservation officer, and planning permission is currently being determined.

Paul said: ‘We want to situate the defibrillator on the town hall wall and House of Cards has agreed to supply the power for it. The conservation officer suggested the corner as the best place for it. I’ve seen defibrillators being used and have seen someone being brought back to life. This one has a push button case and will cover a 200 metre radius, so that is a lot of the town.

‘It will be rigged to the 999 service and the device will talk you through what to do as well as having the 999 service on the phone, so there will be a lot of help for whoever is using it.’

Funding for the device has come from Devon County Councillor for Tavistock Debo Sellis, who gave £900 out of her locality budget and a £250 contribution from 4Hire Taxis. Money has also been given by Tavistock Rotary Club, South West Fire Alarms, MP for West Devon Geoffrey Cox and a donation from a local family.

Paul added: ‘If it wasn’t for these people and their contributions, this would never have been able to happen.’

Cllr Debo Sellis said: ‘I think this is an excellent use of taxpayers’ money and I hope it is a real help to the community. It is a really worthwhile case. Well done to Paul and his team of helpers. Everyone has shown great community spirit.’

Chris Panter, owner of 4Hire Taxis, said: ‘It is a really good thing for the community to know there is a defibrillator accessible in the event of a problem — especially one that is external.’

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.