New potentially life-saving equipment has been installed at St Peter Port Harbour following generous sponsorship by commercial port users.
The publicly accessible defibrillator, or PAD, has been installed at the Inter-Island Quay, adjacent to the telephone kiosk. It is specially designed so it can be used by anyone, without the need for any first aid or medical training, if someone is suspected of having a heart attack.
Medical experts advise that the chances of someone surviving a cardiac arrest increase by as much as 90% if they can be treated quickly using a defibrillator. The equipment will deliver a safe electrical impulse to the heart, to help restore blood circulation.
All instructions for using the new equipment are provided with the unit, which has been funded jointly by the Commercial Port Users Group and Guernsey Harbours.
There are seven other defibrillators in key locations around St Peter Port Harbour. Those are not publicly accessible, but can be used by trained emergency first responders.
Most Guernsey Harbours staff are already trained in first aid and the use of the defibrillators. Staff of commercial port users are also now receiving training demonstrations, and being made aware of the defibrillators.
They are located at the main Harbour Office, the marina office at the Victoria Pier, Visit Guernsey's welcome facilities at the Albert Pier, the New Jetty ferry passenger terminal, and at Customs. There is also one in the harbour secure area, which has restricted access for commercial port operations, and aboard the Sarnia workboat.
Image above: representatives from Guernsey Harbours, Condor, Sark, Allied, Lucas Freight, Ronez, Stevedores, Channel Island Lines, Ferryspeed.