Man dies of cardiac arrest after life-saving Halesowen pub's defibrillator cabinet lock jammed

Community defibrillators have become increasingly popular as members of the public can use the machines to keep alive heart attack victims alive until the ambulance arrives.

However, those trying to help the stricken man earlier this month could not open the cabinet at The Swan, Long Lane.

This month community defibrillators in Halesowen were needed twice, but sadly there were two very different outcomes. 

Halesowen North Councillor Stuart Henley, who works as a fire fighter, has been campaigning for more of the life saving machines in the town for several years.

He said: "Our community has seen two critical calls for defibrillators—one at The Swan and another at Coombswood Sports and Social Club—highlighting just how vital these devices are in saving lives."

"The recent call at Coombswood was successfully responded to, as local families were given access details, demonstrating the importance of community awareness and preparedness."

He added: "Unfortunately, at The Swan, the defibrillator’s cabinet lock failed, rendering the device inaccessible during a life-threatening emergency. 

"The individual in need had to wait for an ambulance to arrive with their own defibrillator, but sadly, this effort was not enough. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the family and friends affected by this tragedy."

Just like the bleed control kits, which have become popular across the Black Country, the cabinet needs to be regularly checked to ensure everything is in working order. The manufacturer of the cabinets visited The Swan the day affter the tragedy.

Councillor Henley added: "The manufacturer has since replaced the lock, and the unit has been checked and confirmed to be working properly—these instances are rare, and I carryout regular checks on all the units, I also get reminders to do this from The Circuit.

"This incident serves as a stark reminder of how crucial it is to have 24/7 publicly accessible defibrillators and bleed kits within our community." 

Defibrillators can be used by members of the public as there are clear instructions and emergency operators are trained to give instructions to people who are using them for the first time.  A defibrillator gives a high energy shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest. They became part of the public consciousness when several high profile footballers had sudden heart failures on the pitch but were saved by a nearby defibrillator.

Councillor Henley added: "These life-saving devices are not just equipment—they are vital tools that can make the difference between life and death. Having immediate access, especially during the critical moments before emergency services arrive, can save precious seconds and potentially save lives.s across Halesowen

The councillor wants to increase the number of defibrillators across Halesowen, Dudley borough and the Black Country. 

He said: "I am committed to expanding this vital network of emergency equipment. If you would like to support this cause, please consider donating via our JustGiving link, or perhaps your company or workplace would like to sponsor the purchase of additional defibrillators and bleed kits. 

"Together, we can ensure that our community is better prepared and that no one has to face an emergency without the tools to help."

To donate to the campaign to install more defibrillators visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lifesavingunits.