PEOPLE in and around Marlborough are being prompted by the Friends of Savernake Hospital and the Community to learn how to use the community defibrillators in case of an emergency.

It comes after the charity, which funded the purchase and installation of ten defibrillators in Marlborough and the surrounding villages, were asked by the ambulance service call handler to release the one outside Marlborough Library at the Christmas lights switch-on.

An elderly man fell and hurt his head but fortunately the defibrillator was not needed, however it was on standby while a Friend’s volunteer, who was helping run a fundraising pop-up café, kept the man safe and warm until the ambulance service arrived.

The charity want to use this incident as a timely reminder for people to take note on how to use defibrillators and has published guidance notes, which have been reviewed by The Community Heartbeat Trust, on their website.

Community defibrillators can be accessed in an emergency by any member of the public by dialling 999.

The code to release the defibrillator will be given by the ambulance service.

For more information go to friendsofsavernake.org or sja.org.uk/sja/first-aid-advice/first-aid-techniques/using-a--defibrillator-aed.aspx

Location of Marlborough’s community defibrillators installed by the Friends

•Marlborough Library

•Marlborough Town Hall

•Mace Shop at Portfields

•Costcutter Shop, St Margaret’s Mead

•Drove Veterinary Surgery, London Road

•Kennet Pharmacy, George Lane, Marlborough

•Preshute School, Manton

•St John’s School, Marlborough

•Mildenhall Village Hall

•White Hart, Burbage