Totnes Rotary has arranged for Devon Air Ambulance paramedics to give free defibrillator training sessions at the Royal Seven Stars Hotel on Wednesday May 18.

In 2021, 333 patients assisted by the air ambulance crew were suffering from cardiac arrest – their hearts had stopped beating.

To help residents improve their life saving confidence, specialist paramedics in critical care are holding four two-hour long defibrillator training sessions in the town at 9.30am, 11.30am, 2.30pm and 4.30pm.

A DAA spokesman said: “Every day, defibrillators allow members of the public to become life savers when it is most unexpected.

“We want to help you to become more confident in using a defibrillator that is based in your local community by offering you the chance to boost your confidence with training delivered by our clinical team.

“Cardiac arrests account for over a third of the incidents we attend. But our local research reveals that two thirds of people surveyed do not feel confident using a defibrillator should they need to.

“Your early intervention can really help to make a difference.

Bookings are essential and can be made by visiting www.daat.org/cardiac