A former national sales manager with the UK’s leading manufacturer of first aid kits has launched his own business providing life-saving defibrillators and training.
Thornbury-based Colin Riddiough previously worked for the Safety First Aid Group, where his national clients included bakery chain Greggs and online store Amazon. Noticing a lack of defibrillators in many places where they could potentially save lives, he has set up Defib Sales and Training.
The venture supplies the latest defibrillators to businesses, schools and sports clubs and other organisations along with expert advice and training in their use.
Colin said: “Sudden cardiac arrest can affect anyone, anytime, any place – and it does. It kills 250 people each day in the UK alone including 15 youngsters each week. More people die from cardiac arrest than breast cancer, Aids and lung cancer combined.”
Businesses that have a defibrillator on their premises – and staff have been trained to use it confidently – can increase the chance of saving someone’s life by more than 50%.
“And yet the majority of small and medium-sized businesses don’t have one, even though they have come down in price recently,” said Colin, who wants to see a defibrillator in the majority of the region’s workplaces, schools and communities.
“For some, the fear of making things worse can stop them helping a patient but a defibrillator will only deliver an electrical shock to the heart of someone who needs it.”
The Resuscitation Council (UK) and British Heart Foundation are backing efforts to introduce legislation to make defibrillators mandatory in the workplace, schools, sports venues, and certain public buildings.
“Business owners should consider their duty of care to visitors and employees,” he added. “As well as the potential life-saving benefits, it also demonstrates your commitment to the welfare of your staff and customers.”
Pictured: Colin Riddiough with some of his business’s products
