New equipment will help save lives on Prom

A defibrillator has been installed outside Blackpool Lifeboat Station along with rapid body-cooling vest, while a second vest has also been put in the Tourist Information Centre at Festival House.

Money for the defibrillator was raised by local doctor Golda Parker, whose father Georgie passed away last year.

Following his death, donations were made to the Adam Appeal to supply a defibrillator. The two CAERvests, which help cool the core body temperature in the event of a cardiac arrest or heatstroke, have been provided by the Helicopter Emergency Service Equipment charity,

They can be put over the body and connected up with an attached cooling fluid to reduce the temperature of the patient and chill the body.

Daniel Moores, from the Helicopter Emergency Service Equipment charity, said: “CAERvest is used by paramedics, first responders and emergency departments to provide rapid core body cooling to patients suffering with heatstroke or cardiac arrest.

“After cardiac arrest just when you may think everything is ok, the body temperature begins to rise which can cause severe brain impairment.

“That’s why it’s so vital to cool the body. The device is easy to use and requires no specialist training, that means even the public can safely use this in an emergency.”

Keith Horrocks, operations manager at RNLI Blackpool said “As a charity that exists to save lives, we were thrilled to be able to help with the installation of a new defibrillator in Blackpool.

“The central location of our building will mean that help is close by in the event of an emergency on the Promenade.”

Blackpool councillor Fred Jackson said the new equipment could be vital to saving lives.

He added: “Millions of people visit Blackpool Promenade every year so it is important we have the right life-saving equipment in place should the worst 
happen.

“As a council we have been happy to help this equipment be put in place, and to host the CAERvest at Festival House.

“But this has only happened because of generous fund-raisers donating the money to help supply the equipment which could help save a life.”