Life-saving defibrillator now in place at Southport Recycling Centre

A new defibrillator is now available at Southport Recycling Centre.

The life-saving device is one of 19 which are now in place at recycling facilities, including the 16 Household Waste Recycling Centres across the Merseyside region.

With an annual footfall of over 1.5 million visitors, the sites will be set up to save lives should they ever be needed.

The cost of the defibrillators has been shared equally by Veolia and Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA).

All of the defibrillators are fully automatic – with visual and voice prompts to guide the rescuer through the entire resuscitation process, including CPR which is a key link in the chain of survival. The equipment analyses heart rhythm and automatically delivers a shock if needed.

Jeff Sears, Director of Veolia Merseyside and Halton, said: “Veolia are extremely proud to partner with MRWA to install defibrillators at key sites across the region.

“Our sites are visited by over 1.5 million residents every year, so having this vital equipment available to use in an emergency situation could help to save a life.”

Councillor Tony Concepcion, Chairperson of MRWA, said: “We have thousands of visitors to our Centres every week, so while we hope the defibrillators never have to be used it’s reassuring to know that they are there and can be accessed by staff quickly in an emergency.”

Full list of Household Waste Recycling Centres in Merseyside & Halton: