Two new public access defibrillators have been installed in Abbots Langley.

The defibrillators were installed outside Henderson Hall in Abbots Langley High Street and Manor House Sports and Social Centre, Gallows Hill Lane on Thursday, July 31.

Abbots Langley Parish Council paid for the two defibrillators and are now hoping that charity and community groups will contribute cash to see three more installed across Abbots Langley, with Katherine Place, School Mead and Bedmond earmarked as potential sites.

Once a 999 call is made, if the ambulance service operator believies that the patient is in cardiac arrest, they will advise residents on the nearest location of a defibrillator in the village and provide the code to unlock the equipment.

The defibrillator unit will then talk the user through the required steps and will administer "shocks" if the unit "diagnoses that the patient is suffering from cardiac arrest and will benefit from defibrillation." 

Councillor Jane Lay, chairman of the parish council, said: "Community access defibrillators are vital pieces of equipment that really can save lives. I am delighted that the parish council has decided to install these first two units. 

"Money that I raise this year through my annual Chairman's Charity will be used to support the purchase of further defibrillators which will be installed around the parish. I hope other local organisations will also be able to commit funds to this excellent project."

"Abbots Langley Parish Council is leading the way. We are the first parish or town council in Hertfordshire to install Public Community Access Defibrillators that are available for emergency use 24 hours a day."