A WARNING has been issued over the use of public defibrillators after it took panicked onlookers 30 minutes to access a box containing the life-saving equipment.

Dave Harris, Colchester councillor for Berechurch, reported a defibrillator installed on the wall outside a pub in Mersea Road, Colchester, was needed recently after a man collapsed in the street.

He said onlookers were unable to open the box as “no-one knew the access code”, with a half-hour wait before someone arrived with the defibrillator.

“Unfortunately the man couldn’t be saved,” said Mr Harris.

“But I was quite surprised no-one knew what the process was for getting the code to unlock the box.

“The key is to try not to panic, to rely on the NHS and to call 999 to guide you through the process.”

Mr Harris and fellow ward councillors Chris Pearson and Martyn Warnes decided to speak out to ensure people know the procedure for accessing public defibrillators.

“It is no criticism of the pub or people, or any of those who dealt with the emergency,” said Mr Harris.

“But it is important to repeat the process of what you need to do should there be an emergency.

“It should say, on the defibrillator box, that you must call up 999 and when you report someone has collapsed they will give you the code.

“Whether 100 yards away or whatever, the 999 operator will tell you where the nearest defibrillator is.

“Once they give you the code to unlock the box, there will be a complete set of instructions in side.

“Questions are asked about whether the person is breathing or whether their heart is pumping, 999 will tell you whether to use the defibrillator or not.”

Mr Harris praised the first responders who maintain and operate all public defibrillators around Colchester.

They are typically sited in busy areas and areas of likely need, such as around shops or near care homes and schools.

Mr Harris added: “There is an old people’s home in Sexton Close, with the defibrillator in exactly the right place, with around 150 people elderly, in their 80s, within walking distance.

“I always want more, but around £2,500 has to be raised to buy one.”