Oldham car and van dealerships have a life-saving defibrillator fitted as part of a nationwide initiative

Swansway's Oldham Volkswagen site

Swansway Motor Group has recently completed the installation of defibrillators at all their sites, including Greater-Manchester-based retailers Oldham Volkswagen/ Volkswagen Van Centre Oldham, Swansway Honda Bolton and Swansway Honda Stockport.

Since April 2022, Swansway Motor Group have invested £7,500 in the installation of 10 defibrillators at their north west retailers.

This has been an important project for the car dealer group to complete, giving back to the community in the areas they do business is a continuous aim for Swansway Motor Group.

The installation of the defibrillators is just one example of this.

Swansway Motor Group Health and Safety Manager Andrew Darlington said: "We are pleased to have completed the installation of defibrillators across the group.

"Our hope is that a circumstance never arises where they will need to be used.

"However, it is safer that the option is there.

"We are keen to make the news known in the areas we operate so that the public is aware of where they can find a defibrillator if they need one.”

Defibrillators should only be used if someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, if you see someone experiencing cardiac arrest, you should call 999 and immediately start CPR, if possible, send someone else to collect a defibrillator, whilst you continue CPR.

You do not need to be trained to use a defibrillator; simply turn on the machine and follow its clear instructions.

Once you have attached the sticky pads to the patient’s chest, you can stop CPR.

The defibrillator will then assess the patient’s heart rate and determine whether a shock is necessary - from here it will inform you of your next steps, whether that be to shock the patient or continue CPR.

It is important to remember that if the patient requires a shock, you must not touch them whilst they are being shocked.

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.