The National Federation of Women's Institutes magazine - WI Life - published an article this month called ‘Bystanders can be Lifesavers’. For some time now members of Carew WI have wished to familiarise themselves with using the village defibrillator.

Statistic show that 30,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests occur in the UK in one year. It makes sense then for members to learn CPR and defibrillator techniques when we live in a small community, where our swift actions could save lives.

Mr Tony Wall is a Welsh Ambulance Service Community First Responder Co-ordinator for Pembrokeshire. He readily agreed to come along to the Carew WI April meeting with his resuscitation aids to instruct members.

“He was brilliant, a true professional, and made the difficult topic entertaining and enjoyable,” said one of them following the meeting.

The chances of survival can increase two or threefold when bystander CPR is used. The British Heart Foundation published figures showing that almost half of the UK population can’t perform CPR. Well, after Tony’s clear and concise demonstration members feel confident enough to try if such a situation were to arise in their community.

Tony was heartily thanked for giving up his time to visit Carew WI and wished well in the future.

After the singing of Jerusalem, the formal meeting began and discussions turned to the up and coming trip and the PFWI Newsletter.

Members would like to send their hearty congratulations to four women from Pembrokeshire who recently made history completing an extraordinary Atlantic row in 53 days - shattering two world records. What an achievement!