Quay Marinas Limited has been presented with a life-saving defibrillator (AED) at its offices in Bangor Marina.
 
The equipment was jointly funded by British Heart Foundation (BHF) Northern Ireland and a donation from Quay Marinas Limited – giving thousands of people access to the vital life-saving equipment, should someone suffer a cardiac arrest at Bangor Marina and Harbour or nearby area.
 
The defibrillator works by delivering a controlled electric shock through the chest wall, to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm and help combat the problem.

When someone has a cardiac arrest, defibrillation needs to be prompt as for every minute that passes the chances of survival decrease by around 10 per cent.

Andrew Jaggers, Director at Quay Marinas Limited, said: ‘We are delighted to be able to make this life-saving device available as a first response aid in and around the Bangor Marina and Harbour area and adjacent public realm.

‘We felt that as we operate 24 hours a day throughout the year, our offices would be a prime location to base such an important asset.

‘We believe that this is the first defibrillator to be made available in this area of Bangor, and that it will complement the existing excellent emergency ambulance response.
 
‘We are most grateful for the help and support of BHF Northern Ireland and their Project Officer, Frances Wightman, together with the assistance of John Wright, Area Manager at the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service in Bangor, Dr Stephen McMinn at Bangor Health Centre and Heidi Spence, Community Resuscitation Development Officer at Ards Community Hospital.’
 
Defibrillators need to be available in areas of greatest risk – areas where there is a high incidence of cardiac arrest and in areas where it is difficult for an ambulance to get there quickly such as rural areas, poor road networks, traffic congestion or where large crowds gather.
 
All the Quay Marinas Bangor team have received specialised defibrillator training from the Red Cross team based at Heron Road, Belfast.
 
Stephanie Leckey, BHF Northern Ireland area development manager added: ‘Around 1,600 people suffer a cardiac arrest outside of hospital in the Northern Ireland each year, of which less than 10 per cent will survive to be discharged from hospital.

‘Having more defibrillators available locally for these emergencies is crucial to saving more lives. I’m thrilled that Marina Quays Limited has taken this step to help save lives in Bangor.
 
‘It is also vitally important that people in Northern Ireland learn CPR so they know what to do if they encounter someone who has suffered a cardiac arrest.

‘BHF Northern Ireland teaches emergency life-support skills as a part of its Heartstart schemes.

Click here to find out details of Heartstart schemes near you.
 
Each defibrillator costs approx £1,000. If other groups, companies or organisations would like to apply for similar life-saving equipment can click here to find out how.