Bangor Cathedral hopes to save lives with new device
A cathedral at the heart of its community is protecting the hearts of its people with a new device to save lives.
A new defibrillator is now available at Bangor Cathedral to help those who may suffer cardiac arrest during services and events or at the Cathedral Food Bank.
This mobile defibrillator has been supported by Save a Life Cymru, a Welsh Government programme, as part of its campaign to reduce the number of deaths from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.
Receiving the defibrillator, the Bishop of Bardsey, David Morris, said, “We are immensely grateful to Save a Life Cymru for working with us at Bangor Cathedral. The availability and accessibility of defibrillators in Bangor Cathedral and other Church in Wales sites is a game changer in helping to reduce the number of fatalities from cardiac arrest and we are ready to play our part in this life saving campaign.
“Of course, we hope there will never be a need to use it but it will give great comfort that the defibrillator is available at the cathedral.”
Save a Life Cymru estimates that every year in Wales more than 6,000 people will have an out of hospital cardiac arrest. They often occur suddenly and without warning. Without early recognition and immediate action, such as performing CPR and using a defibrillator, in the first few minutes of the cardiac arrest happening, death is likely.
Professor Len Nokes, Chair of Save a Life Cymru said, “I am delighted that Save a Life Cymru has supported the arrival of this new mobile defibrillator at Bangor Cathedral. This mobile defibrillator is part of our innovative approach in helping to provide prompt emergency care across Wales.
“It’s important to us that we encourage more people to become CPR and defibrillator aware so more lives can be saved if a cardiac arrest happens.
“You don’t need any training to use a defibrillator, but you can build-up your confidence by taking a few minutes to watch our CPR and defibrillation awareness films, just search for Save a Life Cymru.”