CAG is in need of additional funding to meet the costs of promoting PAD sites and offering free training to the public. It runs courses teaching people how to use the defibrillators, how to administer CPR and how to deal with somebody suffering cardiac arrest. The bulk of this year’s proceeds from the Swimarathon will cover these costs for a further year.
“This year the Skipton Swimarathon Organising Committee received 20 applications for various projects, all with their own merits,” said Chairman of the Skipton Swimarathon Committee, Nick Guillemette. “But the Cardiac Action Group’s plea for urgent support to enable them to continue this proven and well-documented life-saving service touched the hearts of all of us.
“We hope that this year everyone will support the Swimarathon and get behind this project. I’d like to think that for every pound that our swimmers raise, it could be saving someone’s life.”
Pictured: Previous Skipton Swimarathon.
40 PADs are currently installed around the island and there are plans for a further ten.
Community Resuscitation Development Officer, Mike Froome, has been selected as the 2019 Swimarathon Ambassador. He has been working with the charity for the last two years delivering training, raising awareness of cardiac arrest and monitoring the PAD sites to ensure they remain operational.
“It is so important that as many islanders as possible are aware of the PAD sites on the island and familiar with what to do should someone suffer a cardiac arrest,” Mr Froome added. “We have a free app available that can guide people to an AED, but we would encourage as many as possible to attend the training courses.
“We are so thankful that the Skipton Swimarathon has chosen to support our project as with full use of the equipment I’m sure more can be encouraged to restart a heart and save a life.”
Since the PAD project was set up in 2016, more than 1,500 people have received training with five AEDs having been used to resuscitate arrest victims.
The Skipton Swimarathon will take place from 2 to 6 October and registration will open from 1 July.