Locked or Unlocked ?

We note from social media that one of the latest cabinets to be installed has caused some concern as its not locked.

As a partner in the Swanage and Community Defibrillator Partnership , Dorset Police applied to the British Heart Foundation (BHF)  for a cabinet and device under the BHF  scheme.

 That application was a success and its been kindly been installed in Swanage along with our other cabinets.

The British Heart Foundation have a policy on cabinets being unlocked and there is a debate in the world of resuscitation if a cabinet should be locked as it can be seen to delay a response.

This cabinet was also chosen to assist Dorset Police respond to incidents and "grab" the device if required.

The reason the other cabinets in the town  are locked is so a member of the public needs a device, they have to call 999 and ask for the Ambulance.

Having got through to Ambulance the release code will be given , an ambulance dispatched but more importantly an operator will remain on the line to give CPR advice.

We really hope that a vital piece of life saving equipment is not tampered with,   the equipment is tagged and the cabinet has an internal alarm fitted.