Two sites in Warwick earmarked for defibrillators

Adrian Lewis, the founder of Defibfinder who is campaigning to have more public access defibrillators available to people in and around towns in Warwick district, has said the proposed sites for the devices are the shopping arcade in Chase Meadow and Warwick Sports Club in Hampton Road.

Mr Lewis said: “Warwick Sports Club is used by a number of sporting groups covering tennis, cricket, football and more and the refurbishment of the clubhouse makes it the perfect time for a defibrillator to be installed.

“Club member Sue Thomas, who is a specialist nurse practitioner at Cape Road Surgery, tennis coach Lianne Candappa, Sarah Langford of Slimming World and myself have joined together to promote fundraising for the device.”

Ten to 12 young people die each week in the UK as a result of heart-related issues.

Commotio Cordis, Latin for agitation of the heart, can be the result of an awkward fall in the playground or an impact to the chest which can often be from an elbow or a ball or puck hitting the solar plexus or thorax area.

Mr Lewis said: “We have been asked why normally fit and healthy young people are so at risk, particularly when playing sports.

“There can be a number of issues - an underlying and previously undetected heart condition triggered by over exertion or by a blow to the chest in a contact sport like hockey, karate, rugby or football.

“The impact need not be significant, just in the wrong area of the chest at the wrong cycle of the heart can put the heart out of rhythm or stop the heart beating.

“The only way to start the heart and put it back into rhythm is by speedy access to a defibrillator, that’s why The Heart of England Defibrillator Campaign is critical to the health of our children.”