Thanks to generous sponsorship from Valeport Ltd. of Totnes a fully automatic defibrillator has been provided at the Froward Point National Coastwatch station near Kingswear. The sponsorship allowed Coastwatch volunteers to produce a 2016 calendar and £1,250 of the proceeds has been used to buy a Powerheart G5 Fully Automated External Defibrillator.
Froward Point is an isolated area a mile from the nearest road. The adjacent South West Coast Path can be challenging for unwary visitors and the Coastwatch station has previously helped walkers in difficulties. At the suggestion of watchkeepers a project team was set up by Froward Point to consider how the care of walkers could be improved. Expert advice was sought from Justin Sharples of the South Western Ambulance Service Trust, who gave freely of his time, and the defibrillator is now available while the station is open.
Valeport Ltd. is a manufacturer of hydrographic, hydrometric and oceanographic equipment. Company Chairman, Charles Quartley, regularly sails out of the Dart and his yacht “Impi” is a familiar sight to the watchkeepers. Valeport has also provided sponsorship for the 2017 calendar which is now available for sale.
Pictured – top: Charles Quartley presents the defibrillator to Stuart Rostron, Station Manager, NCI Froward Point – above: As installed in the watchstation with self inflating mat and first aid kit.
