Defibrillator at the Barley Mow

Launch of Another Defibrillator for Tilford!

This one, (the fourth in the Tilford area), has been installed at The Barley Mow, Tilford and is situated on the side wall of the outside dining area and housed in a bright yellow and green cabinet. The defibrillator is available for immediate public use in case of emergency 24 hours a day, and is easy to use. First people should dial 999, then keep calm and follow the simple instructions. It is designed to save people who may have had a heart attack. In such cases, every second counts.

Tilford and Rushmoor Neighbours’ Scheme raised funds for the Public Access Defibrillator for the centre of Tilford Village, launched on Monday 8th April.

The installation of the defibrillator was made possible with donations from; The Farnham Lions. Tilford and Rushmoor Neighbours’ Scheme – TARNS. The British Heart Foundation. Tilford Parish Council. Tilford W.I., and local residents. Debbie Glover, Manager at The Barley Mow, Tilford, kindly gave permission to have the defibrillator sited at the pub, and arranged the installation of the defibrillator, to which the pub covered the cost.

Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of premature death, but the quicker treatment is received by defibrillation the greater the chance of successful resuscitation. Seconds count, and chances of survival decrease by 10% for every minute that passes without CPR and a shock from a defibrillator. After 10 minutes without oxygen to the brain it is unlikely the victim will survive, and the ambulance service is unlikely to arrive quickly enough to resuscitate most victims. When a defibrillator is used, the chances of survival increases from 8 percent to 70 or 80%.

Alongside the launch, Heartstart Farnham Lions have offered life-saving training sessions for the whole community. These will be held in the Tilford Institute, Tilford, as well as St John Ambulance Hall, near Waitrose, Farnham. The classes are free, although donations towards expenses are very welcome, but optional. Topics covered will include how to recognise if someone is having a heart attack, how to carry out CPR, and defibrillator awareness, and other life-saving topics.

Among those on hand at the launch were Angie Hurdle, Chair of Tilford and Rushmoor Neighbours’ Scheme – Tarns and who led the fund raising campaign. She says, “We are so grateful to all of our generous sponsors. They were only too ready to donate and it is a tribute to their public-spirited attitude.”

Present at the launch, was Barbara Wright of The Farnham Lions, who had recognised that Tilford needed a defibrillator close to the pub and village green as there are so many activities in this area on a daily basis, including walkers, horse riders, cyclists, and on the green on a regular basis there are cricket matches, keep fit sessions, children’s sports sessions as well as people enjoying the nearby river for canoeing or paddling, and the many visitors to The Barley Mow. Also present were; Jo Michaelides, Peter Matthews and Jim Lawson from The Farnham Lions. Staff members from The Barley Mow. Jane Fox President of Tilford W.I., as well as volunteers from Tilford and Rushmoor Neighbours’ Scheme, Tilford W.I. members and local residents.