Defibrillators installed on Gosport minibuses

Icango, in Gosport, has paid to have defibrillators fitted on all of their buses which take people shopping and drop them off to events.

As well as getting the equipment, the group has also trained all its volunteer drivers to use the defibrillators.

Adrian Groves, chairman of the executive committee, said: ‘With the vulnerability of our clientele firmly recognised, we have now fitted defibrillators to all our vehicles.

‘We have also carried out a training session for all our drivers in the use and operation of the defibrillators should the need arise.

‘Although the drivers are not qualified first-aiders they are confident the correct action will be taken and our service to the community will be enhanced.’

All future volunteer drivers of Icango, which started in 2006 and is used mostly in Lee-on-the-Solent, will be trained in the use of defibrillators.

As previously reported in The News ­Lee-on-the-Solent has a number of public access defibrillators (Pads) available. Recently, the one at the community centre was moved outside so it is accessible 24/7.

Last year The News launched its Heartbeat campaign to see more Pads installed across Portsmouth and the surrounding area.

Every year more than 30,000 people suffer a cardiac arrest in the UK, and only one in 10 people survive.

Research shows that for every minute a person spends without CPR and defibrillation, their chances of survival drop by 10 per cent.