Lucketts Travel’s Fareham headquarters has installed a defibrillator machine outside its front of its office, so if anyone in the community suffers a cardiac arrest, its use can improve their chances of survival.
Lucketts’ chairman, David Luckett, is a public governor for South Central Ambulance Service and says having one close by can mean the difference between life and death.
“When someone has a cardiac arrest, the quicker resuscitation starts the better their chances of survival. That’s why we were so keen to get a defibrillator and it’ll be available 24/7. While we hope it won’t ever be needed, it’s reassuring to know it’s there just in case.”
Members of staff at Lucketts have been given training on how to use the defibrillator, although it could be used by any first responder in the community. When someone calls 999 they are given a code which grants access to the machine inside the weatherproof casing and the are given instructions on how to use it.
Lucketts paid for the defibrillator out of its own pocket and the move has been welcomed by local heart charity, Wessex Heartbeat.