We have made excellent progress with the project since the first newsletter.

First, the good news.
We have enough money in the account to buy a defibrillator.
I propose that we buy the IPAD SP1, which is quite widely chosen for non-medical users.  The official familiarisation video is at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5ZPLXdXPBc

Now for the very, very good news.
We have received an extremely generous pledge to buy a second, identical defibrillator.  The donor has requested anonymity.  We will thus be able to have one in each block, giving faster access times and an indoor location.

There was not much feedback to the first newsletter, so I assume that there is general agreement with the choice of defibrillator model.  Just to be sure, I shall hold off making a purchase until we are into December.  Please contact me if you have any thoughts, doubts or comments.

It has been pointed out that I should have issued donation receipts.  I apologise for the omission and shall deliver a receipt to each relevant flat in the next day or two.  Please let me know if you would like a receipt to be sent elsewhere.

Next I shall be looking for a familiarisation talk and demo, alongside choosing a location and cabinet.  All ideas are welcome.

Frank Bithell
Flat 14
01202 555058
fbithell@hotmail.com

I hope that it is auspicious, not ominous, to dare to write my first ever blog on this date.  It is a bit scary, though!

Suffice it to say that I wanted to do so now because we are very close to having enough money in the account to be able to buy the defibrillator.  There are a few questions that arise now that an idea is nearly a reality.

Firstly, which to choose?  There are quite a few models out there, each claiming many benefits.  The British Heart Foundation conducted extensive trials before selecting two models for their public access scheme.  They are: Zoll AED plus; and iPad SP1.  I propose to follow the BHF lead and to choose one of these.  If anyone has any knowledge of, or opinion about, either of the two, please let me know.  I am at present leaning towards the iPad SP1.

Secondly, where to locate the defibrillator?  In order to make it equally accessible to both of our wings, I propose putting it part-way down the garage approach, hidden from view from the car park.  It will need a heated cabinet to protect the battery.  Unfortunately, these devices are not immune from theft or vandalism, so we shall need a lock.  It has been suggested that we use the same code as for the staircase doors.  The extra money for the cabinet and the installation has yet to be raised.

Thirdly, may I ask for some help?  I need at least two people to be Examiners for the account.  It is not too onerous: simply to check that all the money is properly handled and be able to assure everyone that all is in order.

I shall post more whenever there is something to report.  Please pass on the link to this newsletter as necessary.