Melksham Motor Spares, located on Bowerhill, have become one of the first local businesses to install a potentially lifesaving AED (Automated External Defibrillator) on their premises.
Alison Cook, the financial director, explained the reasons behind their decision to invest in an AED. She said, “Following my First Aid at Work training, you are taught how important first response is in treating any casualty.
“The welfare of our staff is of paramount concern to our business and should the worst case scenario happen, where a member of staff, customer or general public experience a cardiac arrest, having the AED on the premises could be the difference between life and death. You can’t put a price on that.”
Melksham Motor Spares, who have been in the town for over 46 years and supply automotive parts and accessories across the region, have over 50 employees and their five First Aid at Work trained staff have undergone additional training with St. John’s Ambulance on the use of the defibrillator.
Learning that across the UK, 2,000 people die each week after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest and for every minute a defibrillator shock is delayed, the chance of surviving is reduced by 10%, the company decided the AED was an investment worth making for their business. The statistics speak for themselves; without immediate defibrillation and CPR when cardiac arrest occurs, the odds of survival are less than 5%, but can be increased to 50% with a defibrillator being used combined with effective CPR.
Phil Dodd, managing director added, “It is important that people in our locality know we have this potentially lifesaving equipment; it is an investment not only for the welfare of our staff and customers, but to anyone in our immediate community.”
Melksham Motor Spares are located in Lancaster Road on the Bowerhill Industrial Estate.
