Defibrillators look set to be rolled out for Stamford and Rutland schools

The Government looks set to announce that defibrillators will be sent to state-funded schools in Stamford, Rutland and across the country.

The Government-funded move is being hailed as a "great" one by first aid experts, who say more defibs in the community 'will save lives.'

Rutland community first-aid volunteer, Barbara Crellin MBE, said:

'The news of more provision is great. Every new machine is a potential life-saver so the more we get out there in schools, clubs and the community, the better.'

'...even better news would be if they could all go in a cabinet and provide community access.'

She added: 'In an ideal world, no one should ever be more than 500 metres from a defib because that actually means that the person fetching it has to go one kilometre, which is a long way in a panicked situation.'

'Easy to use'

Barbara hopes some training would be provided to students as the equipment can be daunting, but added that defibs are actually easy to use:

'Presumably there's no finance to train the children. It's actually quite easy once you switch it on, but training just gives you that familiarity and confidence to know what you're doing.'

'...once you switch it on, it talks you through everything you need to do.'

'The prime thing to remember is: always dial 999, get on with the CPR, and if there's someone else there - get them to go for the defib. Ambulance control will give you the code on the cabinet.'

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