Lifesaving defibrillators placed at Norwich crematoria after heart attack deaths
PUBLISHED: 13:29 01 July 2019 | UPDATED: 13:29 01 July 2019
Lifesaving equipment for mourners who suffer heart attacks at funerals has been installed at two Norwich crematoriums. Photo: Simon Finlay
Lifesaving equipment for mourners who suffer heart attacks at funerals has been installed at two Norwich crematoriums.
Karen Walford, crematorium manager at Earlham Crematorium. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYEarlham and St Faiths Crematorium staff have been trained to use defibrillators, which were installed after two deaths at UK crematoria in the past six months.
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Site operator Dignity fundraised for the devices via charity partner the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
Earlham Crematorium manager Karen Walford said: "Every minute without CPR or defibrillation reduces a person's chance of surviving a cardiac arrest by 10pc.
"We will always call an ambulance but wanted to do everything we possibly can to provide immediate help."
Donna Stokes of the BHF said: "Defibrillators need to be available in areas of risk - where crowds gather; where people are under stress or somewhere an ambulance may take time to reach due to traffic or distance from a hospital. Crematoriums meet all of these requirements."
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