At Eclipse, we are proud to announce that we have sponsored a defibrillator for Swadlincote Community First Responders, a volunteer group that helps people in the town and surrounding area when they need it most.
In a cardiac emergency, every minute counts. Having the right equipment close to hand can make a real difference, and we are pleased to help the team get it.
Who Are Swadlincote Community First Responders?
Swadlincote Community First Responders are a volunteer run, community based group. They respond to emergency medical situations in the local area, giving vital first aid and emergency care while they wait for an ambulance or other emergency services to arrive.
Because they are local, volunteers can often reach someone quickly. That makes them an important additional layer of support within the community, working alongside the emergency services rather than replacing them.
The group is also self-funded. The equipment and resources the volunteers rely on depend on fundraising, donations and support from local people and businesses. That is why community backing matters so much to the work they do.
Why Defibrillators Matter
A cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood around the body. It is not the same as a heart attack, and it can happen to anyone without warning. A person who has gone into cardiac arrest will collapse, be unresponsive and not be breathing normally.
A defibrillator, often called an AED (automated external defibrillator), is a portable device that helps in this situation. It checks the heart’s rhythm and, if a shock is needed, delivers one to help the heart return to a normal rhythm. Modern devices give clear spoken instructions, so the person using one is guided through each step.
The timing is critical. According to the Resuscitation Council UK, survival from an out of hospital cardiac arrest in the UK is less than one in ten, and the chance of survival falls by around 10% for every minute without CPR or defibrillation. Starting CPR early and using a defibrillator quickly can increase the chance of survival by two to three times.
For a team of first responders, having a defibrillator ready means treatment can begin as soon as they reach the patient.
Why Eclipse Is Supporting the Team
Eclipse is based in Swadlincote, and supporting the community around us is important to everyone here. Our day-to-day work is supplying commercial vehicle diagnostic tools and support to workshops and fleets, but we also want to play our part locally.
Funding this defibrillator is one way we can do that. The volunteers already give their time, skills and energy to help local people. Our sponsorship simply helps a self-funded, volunteer led group access equipment that supports the work they are already doing.
To learn more about the business behind this sponsorship, visit our About Us page.
Learn CPR and Support Your Local Responders
You do not have to be a medical professional to help in a cardiac emergency. If you see someone collapse and not breathing normally, call 999 straight away, start CPR and follow the instructions if a defibrillator is available. The British Heart Foundation offers free online training that teaches CPR and defibrillator use in around 15 minutes.
If you would like to support Swadlincote Community First Responders, donations and local business support help them keep their volunteers equipped and ready to respond.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are community first responders?
Community first responders are trained volunteers who attend medical emergencies in their local area and provide first aid and emergency care until an ambulance or other emergency service arrives.
Are Swadlincote Community First Responders funded by the NHS?
The group is self-funded, so its equipment and resources depend on fundraising, donations and support from local people and businesses.
What does a defibrillator do?
A defibrillator checks the heart’s rhythm and, if needed, delivers an electric shock to help restore a normal rhythm during a cardiac arrest.
Can anyone use a defibrillator?
Yes. Public defibrillators are designed to be used by anyone, and they give spoken instructions at each stage. Always call 999 first.
Why is early CPR so important?
CPR keeps blood moving around the body until a defibrillator or the emergency services arrive, which improves the chance of survival.
Thank You to the Volunteers
We would like to thank everyone at Swadlincote Community First Responders for the time and care they give to the people of Swadlincote. We are proud to support them, and we hope this defibrillator helps them in the work they do.
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