Life Savers at Town Sports Fields

Life-saving defibrillators have been installed at five sports grounds owned by Banbury Town Council.

The defibs are safety features aimed at making sport safer for all – particularly for people with hidden heart problems.

It means that if a player suffers a cardiac arrest during a game they can receive immediate treatment during the crucial period before emergency services reach the scene.

The defibs can also be used for non-sports people in the area who might have heart seizures.

Providing the equipment was a key initiative in the town council’s budget plans this year.

Cllr Martin Phillips, chairman of the council’s general services committee – which initiated the installation – said: “The defibs are attached to the pavilions at all five council sports fields and the move is in line with the council’s commitment to encourage people to get active and play more sport as safely as possible.”

He added: “It is not uncommon to hear of people with no history of heart problems who suddenly collapse during a sports event and the potentially life-saving defibrillators will help them and anyone else who needs them.

“If they help save the life of a single member of our community they will have been worth the investment of £7,500.”

The defibs are at Horton View, Easington Rec, Hanwell Fields, Moorfields, and Chandos Close sportsgrounds.

A defibrillator applies an electric charge to the heart to restore a normal heartbeat. If the heart rhythm stops due to cardiac arrest, also known as sudden cardiac arrest, a defibrillator may help it start beating again.

Anyone who sees a person having cardiac arrest should call 999, start CPR and get someone to locate a defibrillator. The defib should be turned on and its instructions followed.

In the picture, Cllr Phillips (right) and Paul Almond, the town council’s Environment Officer, examine the defib at Horton View sportsground.