Following a joint project between Tenby Surf Lifesaving, Tenby and Saundersfoot First Responders and Valero - a new public access defibrillator has been installed alongside the seaside town’s South Beach - meaning there is now one defib in place to serve every beach of the coastal resort.

The new lifesaving device is the latest to be installed in the county by First Responders and completes the chain of defibrillators along the coast.

A defibrillator is a device that gives a high energy shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest and can increase a person’s chance of survival from cardiac arrest.

Training is not required and members of the public can access a public defibrillator by calling 999 and reporting a medical emergency to the ambulance service.

Following the installation, the Tenby Surf Lifesaving organisation hosted a ‘CPR and Defibrillator’ awareness training day, open to the general public, local water sports club members, and South Beach trades people.

“Tenby Surf Lifesaving is a local run charity whose aim is to save lives on the beaches of Tenby,” said Angelo Fecci, lifesaving co-ordinator.

“The addition of this public access defibrillator inevitably makes beach-goers safer by giving access to life saving devices around the clock.

“We would like to thank our partners, Tenby and Saundersfoot First Responders, also a local volunteer lead charity, for working with us and providing the defibrillator unit itself.

“We would also like to thank Valero who funded the installation cost and a protective cabinet for the device.”

First Responders also recently installed a new defib in Saundersfoot, with one of the seaside village’s county councillors, Cllr Chris Williams highlighting a recent medical emergency, which sparked calls for the location to have a defib.

“I was contacted by Ché, the new owner of the Pharmacy on the Strand, who informed me that CPR was being administered at the scene and that there was an urgent need for a defibrillator in the immediate vicinity,” explained Cllr Williams.

“During the emergency, the 999 operator directed responders to the nearest registered defibrillator—located at Scar Farm. However, while this may be the closest location ‘as the crow flies’ - it is not easily accessible, particularly when the village is busy.

“Although Saundersfoot already has several defibrillators—at the Regency, the Sports Field, Tesco, and Coppet Hall, to name a few—the situation highlighted a clear gap in coverage on the Strand itself.

“I’m pleased to share that the Pharmacy has expressed strong support for having a defibrillator nearby, recognising that people often turn to them in emergencies.

“In the meantime, thanks to the generous support of Tony Wall and the directors, seven owners of Strandways Court, a new defibrillator has now been installed on the Coppet Hall side of the Strand, at Strandways.

“This new life-saving equipment is now registered with the Ambulance Service and is available for public use. Thank you to everyone who acted quickly and helped make this happen in such a short time – it could truly help save lives,” he added.