Island fishers to receive free defibrillators

The Seafarers Hospital Society, a UK charity, said free defibrillators and first aid kits were being provided to Jersey fishers

Jersey and Guernsey fishers are set to receive free defibrillators and first aid kits, a sea charity has said.

The Seafarers Hospital Society said it has partnered with the Community Heartbeat Charity to provide "200 compact, portable, and easy to use defibrillators to fishing vessels across the country".

The charity said a further 250 first aid kits would also be provided and would be available to any fishing vessel with two or more crew members.

Chief executive of the charity and project leader Sandra Welch said training sessions would be held on the islands at the end of January.

"The decision to install the defibrillators comes as a result of growing evidence around the rising prevalence of heart disease in coastal communities," she said.

"We believe the programme will make a significant difference to the lives of commercial fishermen who earn their living from the waters around the UK and that many lives will be saved."