The Seafarers Hospital Society (SHS), through Seafit, have a project to place 200 Defibrillators and first aid kits on board fishing boats and an additional 50 first aid kits on fishing boats with 1 fisherman.

The project is aimed at preventing heart-related fatalities in fishermen, having identified a growing prevalence of heart disease in coastal communities. It builds on the success of a pilot project conducted by SHS and the NHS in 2021 and a larger project in 2023.

An important and vital part of this project is the training element. Defibrillator training, also known as Automated External Defibrillator ‘AED training’, provides users with the skills and knowledge to operate a defibrillator effectively. Professionals will guide crew through what steps to take in the event a crew member on their vessel or in their vicinity has a cardiac arrest.

There are no hidden costs, the only criteria for this are that fishermen agree to do the training, which is provided free of charge, and conduct regular monthly checks on the device to ensure that it is working. SHS will provide replacement batteries and Cpads for a period of 5 years.

How to apply

Fishermen who are interested in getting a defibrillator and first aid kit for their boat or who would like more information can contact Sandra Welch directly:

Email: sandrawelch@seahospital.org.uk

Call:  07392 998 964