Three new defibrillators for Helston, and the one thing to do first

You will probably never have to pull a defibrillator off a wall. But if that day ever comes, the few minutes before the ambulance arrives are the ones that decide everything, and Helston has just made those minutes a little easier to survive.

Where the three new machines are

Helston Town Council has installed three new public access defibrillators around the town. You will now find them at The Cornish Oven on St Johns Business Park, Penzance Road, at Culdrose Community Centre on Hibernia Road, and at Helston Community Fire Station on Redruth Road.

That takes the number the council looks after across Helston to 14, all checked and inspected every week by its General and Grounds Maintenance Supervisor.

Why it matters, and why you can’t get it wrong

A defibrillator can more than double someone’s chance of surviving a cardiac arrest. You do not need any training to use one, and you cannot get it wrong. The machine talks you through every step out loud, from where to place the pads to when to stand clear.

If you want to feel more prepared, you can learn CPR in 15 minutes with the British Heart Foundation, which sits alongside using a defibrillator while you wait for help to arrive.

What to do if you ever need one

Call 999 first. The call handler will tell you where your nearest defibrillator is and give you the code to open the cabinet. If you would rather know before an emergency, Defib Finder is a free tool that maps the nearest machines to wherever you are.

If you do have to use one, the council asks that you let them know by calling 01326 572063 and leaving a message if it is outside working hours. That way they can get the defibrillator checked, restocked and back on the wall quickly for the next person who needs it.

Every defibrillator Helston Town Council maintains

The full, up to date list of locations is on the council’s defibrillators page. As it stands, the 14 machines are at:

• Bowling Green, The Monument, TR13 8ER
• Central Methodist Church, Coinagehall Street, TR13 8EQ
• Cricket Club, Clodgey Lane, TR13 8PJ
• Culdrose Community Centre, Hibernia Road, TR13 8DH
• Godolphin Club, Wendron Street, TR13 8PS
• Helston Community Fire Station, Redruth Road, TR13 8NR
• Hens Horn Court, Cunnack Close, TR13 8YE
• Medical Centre, Trelawney Road, TR13 8AU
• Parc Eglos School, Church Hill, TR13 8UP
• Penhellis Care, Unit 8, Water Ma Trout Industrial Estate, TR13 0LW
• Spar, 135 Meneage Street, TR13 8RW
• The Cornish Oven, St Johns Business Park, Penzance Road, TR13 8HN
• The Guildhall, Market Place, TR13 8ST
• The Old Cattle Market, Porthleven Road, TR13 0SR

If you ever spot a problem with one of the cabinets, the council would rather hear about it than not, and you can flag it through the same contact page.