Armed police in North Wales receive brand new defbrillators to help people in cardiac arrest

Officers from an armed policing unit have been given three brand new defibrillators thanks to partnership working with the Welsh Ambulance Service.

The heart-saving devices are used by police during near-fatal incidents they deal with, or are blue lighted to emergency cardiac scenes if they are the closest 999 response vehicle.

Sergeant Natasha Doran-Jones of the Joint Armed Alliance Unit, which covers North Wales and Cheshire, said: “These defibs mean the difference between life and death, because if someone is in cardiac arrest time is of the essence.

“We have always carried defibs in our vehicles. All armed officers have to have trauma training and our qualification is European Pre-Hospital Trauma Care. Trauma packs are also carried in our vehicles.

“These brand new defibs will allow us to continue to provide enhanced medical aid if required when we are first on the scene of serious incidents.

“We are delighted to be working with the Welsh Ambulance Service to help save lives across North Wales. Equipping officers with this essential life-saving equipment will enable the teams to respond to these critical life or death emergency calls.”

Police officers equipped with defibrillators, who are available to respond, will be alerted to a potential cardiac arrest at the same time as ambulance crews, which means that if they reach the patient first, or are already on scene, they can begin providing life-saving treatment until a skilled clinician arrives.

Tomos Hughes Public Access Defibrillator Support Officer for the Welsh Ambulance Service said: “We are proud to be working with the North Wales and Cheshire Allied Armed Response unit.

“Having the response cars fitted with defibrillators is a great opportunity for trained officers to begin the chain of survival on scene.

“For every minute that passes without defibrillation, a patient’s chance of surviving a cardiac arrest drops by 10%, so early intervention is key. We look forward to continued work with the unit in the future.”