Life savers in our community

After installing lifesaving defibrillators in nine parts of the borough, Haven tenants have recently taken part in Heartbeat Trust awareness training to give them confidence to use the devices should they ever need to.

Residents are now keen to raise awareness of where these can be found and first aid help by downloading free apps.

In 2021, we installed nine defibrillators across the borough, thanks to our community benefits fund and collaboration with local councillors.

These lifesaving devices, supplied and maintained by the Heartbeat Trust, are accessible in key locations to provide vital support in emergencies.

More and more defibs are popping up in our communities. A real positive, as using them promptly when someone has a cardiac arrest can increase survival rates by up to 75%.

To raise awareness of how they work, Heartbeat Trust have held training sessions at three of our Haven schemes, giving residents the confidence to act quickly in an emergency.

Andy, a resident at Llys Nant Fer, in Gwaun Cae Gurwen took part in a session:
“The visit from the Heartbeat Trust was fantastic, hands on and thorough, nothing was a silly question. Now I feel confident that I could use a defibrillator to help someone in need. Knowing we have one here on site makes me feel safer and I would encourage everyone to find out where their nearest is in their local community, you never know when you might need it.”

Our Independent Living Officer, Katherine has been raising awareness of defibs in the Cwmgors and Gwaun Cae Gurwen areas:
“When I lost a friend last year, we realised afterwards that there was a defib close by, which may have saved him. It’s wonderful that Tai Tarian have nine defibs across the borough, but it’s really important that we raise awareness of where these, and others are located, and how they work.

“The thought of responding to a cardiac emergency can feel daunting, but defibrillators are designed to make it as straightforward as possible. Once accessed, they talk you through every step, so even if you’ve never used one before, you’ll know exactly what to do.

"By downloading the Maps AED app or visiting www.defibfinder.uk you will be able to find devices near you. Sharing this knowledge with friends and family could save a life."

Did you know?
Technology is transforming the way we respond to medical emergencies. If you have an Alexa device, you can access lifesaving guidance by simply saying, “Alexa, start emergency PR.”

This feature provides step-by-step CPR instructions while waiting for emergency help to arrive. The British Heart Foundation app is also a valuable tool for managing heart health and learning essential skills such as CPR.