The Ammerdown Centre in Kilmersdon has just been given a grant from the Sperring Trust to buy a defibrillator. The defibrillator is a life saving device that gives a high energy electric shock to the heart of a person who is in cardiac arrest.

The Centre, which specialises in peace, hospitality and reconciliation, applied for the grant from the Sperring Trust which offers financial support to the people and organisations of Midsomer Norton and surrounding areas.

All of the staff at the Ammerdown Centre have annual first aid training in which they are shown how to use a defibrillator. This training led to the idea of getting one for the Centre. Due to the remote location and the number of people who attend the courses there and walk their dogs in the surrounding countryside, it was decided that the lifesaving device would be a wonderful addition to the Centre's resources.

The device is located on the front of the building and can be seen as soon as you enter the car park. It is good practice to try and remember the location of your nearest defibrillator even though, if you ring 999, the emergency services will be able to tell you where the nearest one is located.

The British Heart Foundation recommends that in an emergency the first thing to do is call 999, start CPR and ask someone to bring a defibrillator. The emergency service operator will be able to tell you the code for the secure cabinet that houses the defibrillator if necessary. Then, all you need to do is turn it on and follow the instructions. You don't need to be trained to use one – anyone can use it. There are clear instructions on how to attach the defibrillator pads. The device then assesses the heart rhythm and will only instruct you to deliver a shock if it is needed.

There are around 60,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests every year in the UK and the survival rate decreases by 10% every minute. Using a defibrillator whilst you wait for the emergency services to arrive could very well save a life.