Washington pub installs defibrillator and trains staff up on resuscitation techniques after near-tragedy

The Mayor and Mayoress of Sunderland mark the arrival of the life-saving defibrillator at the Teal Farm Pub in Washington

Cash to buy a defibrillator for The Teal Farm Pub, in Edale Close, Washington, was raised in just two weeks after an incident earlier this year at the nearby Sainsbury’s Local where a customer nearly lost his life.

They were was saved thanks to the quick response of staff, customers and paramedics.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Sunderland David and Diane Snowdon were in attendance to mark the arrival of the defibrillator and present a special plaque to the pub.

The Mayor and Mayoress with staff at the pub

Coun Snowdon said: “This project is a perfect example of the community recognising a need and coming together.”

Les Howard, chairman of Teal Farm Residents Association, emphasised the importance of training in resuscitation techniques, revealing a training programme would soon be announced to support the new defibrillator.

This project was realised as a result of collaboration between the Teal Farm Residents' Association, Teal Farm Pub, Northumbrian Water, the Hellens Group and Rotary Washington Forge.

A defibrillator delivers a dose of electric current to the heart and is used to treat sudden cardiac arrests, with statistics showing between 300,000 and 400,000 people experience sudden cardiac arrest in a non-hospital environment every year.

Celebrating the instalment of a new defibrillator at the Teal Farm pub in Washington

Before unveiling the plaque to commemorate the opening of the defibrillator installation, the Mayor concluded that he hoped that it would never need to be used, but that it was reassuring for the community to know that there’s a defibrillator available should the need arise.