Steven Calder is part of a local fundraising group who raise funds to supply defibrillators along the Sefton coastline. He aims to add as many devices along the coast as possible having been personally involved in an incident on the beach where cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed and a defibrillator was needed.
In summer of 2021, Steven was on a walk with his friend when a group of men were pulled from the sea on Crosby beach. Hamza Mansoor, one of the men involved, went into a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). Steven stepped in to help perform CPR on the student along with other members of the public, but it wasn't enough to save him.
Since that day, he is now taking action to make sure this doesn't happen again. Steven put out a call for fundraising help, and Brian Williams, who runs the Hampers café near the beach, got in touch to lend his support. The pair made it their mission to raise funds for Automated External Defibrillators, and set up The Prevention and Awareness of Drowning Foundation.
(Above: Crosby Beach, where the incident took place)
Steven added “Having a defibrillator nearby can be the difference between life and death, but sadly we didn't have access to one to help Hamza”
"Should another tragic incident like this happen there will be a better chance of a happier outcome."
Why Do We Need Defibrillators?
Defibrillators are medical devices used to treat life-threatening cardiac emergencies.The heart's ability to pump blood effectively to the vital organs including the brain halts, leading to Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)
Defibrillators are designed to be user-friendly, allowing anyone whether trained or not to administer life-saving treatment effectively. Defibrillators are equipped with voice prompts and visual instructions, guiding users through the process of delivering a shock.
The Critical Role of Bystander CPR and defibrillation:
Bystander CPR is a crucial link in the chain of survival for individuals experiencing OHCA. Immediate CPR and the use of a defibrillator can help maintain blood flow to the brain and vital organs until professional medical help arrives.
(Above: Steven and Brian receiving their donated defibrillator)
Steven will be storing his donated defibrillator in an publicly accessible outdoor cabinet, adding another accessible defibrillator along the Sefton coastline in the event of a SCA emergency.
Public Access Defibrillators are devices that are available to members of the public and the emergency services if someone suffers a SCA. These are available for use 24 hours a day and are often located in outdoor cabinets outside of buildings, meaning the defibrillators are permanently accessible.
These devices are often seen in public spaces such as airports, schools, sports arenas, shopping malls, and other high-traffic areas where cardiac emergencies may occur. The aim is to make these life-saving devices readily available so that bystanders can use them to administer treatment while waiting for professional medical help to arrive.
We are delighted to place another donated defibrillator into such a close community and will continue to support Steven with all his defibrillator supplies and knowledgeable needs.
If you would like to be in with a chance to receive a defibrillator for your local charity/community, please contact us today