'No questions asked if missing defibrillator is returned in Torquay'
The volunteer who helps maintain 50 of the life-saving pieces of equipment says he's worried lives could be lost without it
A Devon man - who’s saved lives by installing and maintaining defibrillators across Torbay - says he’s heartbroken one’s seemingly been stolen.
Hospital worker Martin Copeman looks after more than 50 of them on a voluntary basis and is worried about the one at Torquay’s Tor Park Hotel which has gone - saying no questions will be asked as he appeals for it to be returned.
The project is called the 'Preston, Paignton, Community Defibrillator Project or PPDP and there are currently 55 units across Torbay - with more planned.
Martin and his wife Jan have trained 782 people in how to use the life-saving equipment, which has been used across 350 emergencies and in 15 of 17 incidents saved lives after cardiac arrests.
Why does Martin and his wife Jan do this?
Martin told us how the project started, saying: "My own reasons for doing this comes in three parts. No one is not money; I have worked in the NHS for more than 35 years in acute front-line Medicine and Anaesthetics and still do, Ramsay Mount Stuart support. Knowing how stretched things are on the front line was one reason. Two the fact I had to try and resuscitate you own brother in 2010 and failed as I had no equipment with me at the time (Mark 52). Finally, the fact that due to cutbacks in health care, I have spent hours and hours on streets with 23 people last 6 years, that have been Ill or had accidents on the roadside in Preston and Paignton. Sometimes without my own equipment. Which led to three of them losing their life."
What is the service they offer?
Martin said: "We are a non-profit making organisation. We try to help the public to save live by making it simple. We help to fundraise to help purchase the defibrillator unit and get discount from the suppliers, and we are VAT excepted. We then come and instal them on building, fences, churches, pubs. Then come and train you how to help save a life using them. We insurance the unit and then register the unit with the Circuit, this way we know when the unit has been used. Then come and check the unit over and replace what has been used i.e. pads and battery, also do the monthly maintenance checks."
How do I get in touch?
Martin and wife Jan can be contacted via this link
Rayo Premium