Five parks across Belfast are offering a better chance of survival to heart attack victims after being fitted with automatic external defibrillators (AED) which will be available for members of the public to use in an emergency.

The AED’s can be used without specific training – they tell the user exactly what to do when released from their holding cabinets. The code for release is obtained once a 999 call is made to the emergency services and they determine that a defibrillator is necessary.

It follows a motion from Sinn Fein councillor Matt Garrett and is part of the council’s commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of its citizens.

SDLP councillor Declan Boyle, Chair of the Council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, which provided funding for the defibrillators, joined Councillor Garrett at Boucher Road Playing Fields on Wednesday to highlight the new equipment.

Defibrillators have also been placed at Victoria, Tullycarnet, Fullerton and Waterworks Parks and will be accessible during park opening hours.

Councillor Boyle said: “Defibrillation is an important link in improving a person’s chance of surviving a cardiac arrest. While we already have some on sites such as the City Hall and leisure centres we are happy to extend their reach.

“AEDs are portable electronic devices that diagnose life-threatening sudden cardiac arrest and are able to treat them through defibrillation – immediately improving the chance of survival of that individual."

Defibrillators have also been provided to mobile Park Wardens and Safer Neighbourhood Officer teams.

Information on how to access the defibrillators is available on our website www.belfastcity.gov.uk/defibrillators