‘Heart-start' gear at nine sites in Blackburn and Darwen

3:17pm Friday 25th April 2008

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LIFE-saving heart defibrillators have been put in place at nine venues across Blackburn and Darwen.

Around 70 staff at the council-run sites have been trained how to use the equipment if someone has a heart attack.

Steve Rigby, director of culture, leisure and sport for the council, said: "In this type of emergency every second counts, and if staff use the defibrillators while an ambulance is on its way it will give patients the best chance of survival.

"The defibrillators are now in place and more council staff will undergo training in the coming weeks and months."

Heart start' defibrillators, if used within minutes of a person suffering a cardiac arrest, can shock the heart into a normal rhythm.

The life-saving equipment is at Shadsworth Leisure Centre, Darwen Library, Darwen Library Theatre, Blackburn Library, King George's Hall, Daisyfield Pools, Waves Water Fun Centre, Regency Gym at Darwen Vale, and the Audley Sports and Community Centre.