Bowls club gets defibrillator training

Safety of members taken seriously.

There are more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year. The overall survival rate in the UK is less than 1 in 10. Most of these deaths are preventable if resuscitation begins within five minutes. Heart attacks can take place at almost any age and during sporting activity.

Erdington Court Bowls Club took the threat to its playing members and visitors seriously – and just over a year ago, the club purchased an automatic defibrillator.

An annual refresher training course took place this week at Club, delivered by Ann Davies of Sutton Coldfield company, AD Training.

Club spokesperson Ray Woods explained, “In theory anyone can use the defibrillator, because it talks you through the process of shocking a person who is not breathing However it was felt at the time that club officers should receive supplementary training to build their confidence and speed up the process of treating an unconscious person – including those still breathing.”

We have a duty of care to members and visitors and it starts with gate security controlled entry and includes rink ramps for the disabled, step down rails and steps to help members get onto the rinks safely.”