A NEW public use defibrillator has been placed in Widemouth Bay following concerns raised by local resident, John Pearson.

John got in touch with Bude-based charity Jay’s AIM back in December over the lack of help available when lifeguards aren’t around.

His appeal has been successful with the defibrillator being located at the back of the toilet block where there is a covered bus waiting area.

Jay’s AIM representative Dan Osborne said: “John got in touch with us shortly before Christmas to say that he was concerned about the lack of a defibrillator at Widemouth Bay when the lifeguards are off duty. Knowing the area well, It was a site that we were already looking into because of the same concerns. 

“You only have to go down to Widemouth car park on any weekend to see the number of people that use the beach and surrounding area. In the winter you can sometimes have literally hundreds of surfers in the water and the same number of families and dog walkers spreading from Black Rock to Salthouse. This number could probably be multiplied by five on summer evenings after the lifeguards go off duty. 

“The whole team at Jay’s AIM love using Bude’s beaches and it’s good to know that along with our defibrillator at Bude Cricket Club serving the town’s beaches, people in the area are protected when on the beach and in the water.”

Free CPR/AED training for the defibrillator will be held at the Beach House, Widemouth on Wednesday, March 25 at 7.30pm.