Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

You may or may not be aware that there are 5 defibrillators in situ around the Esentepe and Tatlisu areas. These have been sited since 2012 and potentially could provide life saving emergency help in event of a cardiac arrest.
The “defibs” are situated at :
1. Outside the Esentepe Belediyesi Building.
2. Outside Ömrüm Pharmacy near Tuncay'ın Yeri/Turtle Bay.
3. On the wall near main road by Red Fort.
4. Almond Tree/Sinya
5. NE.&SE Restaurant/Metran Supermarket, Tatlisu.
During our normal monthly maintenance checks, three of the Defibs (Esentepe Belediyesi, Red Fort and NE&SE) were showing a warning signal indicating that the batteries are low and need replacing. So in effect the machines are not guaranteed to be as effective in event of an emergency. We have a spare battery and this was used to replace the battery outside the Esentepe Belediyesi, this Defib is now working normally. The current cost of a battery is £ 150.00.

We replaced the pads in October 2015. Replacement pads cost £60 each and we had enough funds remaining to buy one battery (used in the Esentepe Bele Defib).

At this moment in time we have £160 remaining in the emergency fund . The batteries come from the UK so we can buy 1 battery and this will replace the battery at NE&SE, Tatlisu. Unfortunately this will not be be possible until mid November. We cannot replace the one outside the Red Fort as there are no funds to buy additional batteries.
The Defibs outside the chemist and the Almond Tree will probably need replacing during the next month or so. We are looking at 3 more batteries and really 5 chest pads to maintain effective cover for the Defibs. Initially we have a shortfall of £750.
Since the original committee was formed in 2012 to raise funds and site the Defibs, our team of volunteers has dwindled to just the two of us, as with all good causes people drift away or have left the Island.

The Defibs are given a visual check every month and any problems recorded. Thankfully the Defibs have never been used but are there in case. We would hate to have to remove them but if we cannot get money to replace parts then they will have to be taken away.

We have contacted a Voluntary Organisation but they have shown little interest in taking over the responsibility of maintaining them.
We are not Fund raising people and do not really want to get involved in Charity events. Can anybody help us or make suggestions so that these Defibs can remain in situ and maintain the emergency cover.
It will be such a shame that the work carried by the original committee in 2012 to get Government approval for the Defibs to be allowed into the country and sited at various locations along the main road to go to waste. If nothing can be done unfortunately we will have to remove the Defibs that need the batteries replaced.
If you want to send us a private message this can be done through the forum private messaging system.

This is sad to read as it was myself who brought the new pads over, hopefully there will be a response as to offering to fund raise to replace these batteries or even better donations towards replacing them, wishing you the best of luck....

Just a thought. Between Esentepe Belediye and the Tatlisu roundabout, there must be at least 20 restaurants/bars. What about an approach to the owners to sponsor a defib, or part sponsor one? I'm not sure the owners are even aware of the problem. I'll certainly ask my local if he'll chip in and there is not one by his establishment. If he/they agree, where does the money go to account? The TRNC Government will insist on receipts and a visible audit process as they do with all expat organised charities/money collections. An appeal could also be made to the Esentepe Community web site for advertisement there.

We would like to help. Phone me on 0542 875 6571

Hi I've pm you

tomsteel wrote:Just a thought. Between Esentepe Belediye and the Tatlisu roundabout, there must be at least 20 restaurants/bars. What about an approach to the owners to sponsor a defib, or part sponsor one? I'm not sure the owners are even aware of the problem. I'll certainly ask my local if he'll chip in and there is not one by his establishment. If he/they agree, where does the money go to account? The TRNC Government will insist on receipts and a visible audit process as they do with all expat organised charities/money collections. An appeal could also be made to the Esentepe Community web site for advertisement there.

Tom

Many thanks for your suggestions. The money is held in an account at the Esentepe Kooperatif Bank. This is not a Charity Fund. Everything was above board and the defibs were sanctioned by the Health Minister at the time. We had to jump through many hoops to bring them in even having to agree with him the best places to site them.

Unfortunately whilst we have been happy to plod along and look after the maintenance of each one we are not the type of people to organise events.

sabrerich, thank you for the banking information. I am happy to approach restaurants/bars. Please PM me the bank account details and I'll give it a go. Pity it is the winter season approaching. I'll also attempt a poster campaign in Turkish and English for local businesses. What about an approach also to Esentepe and Tatlisu Belediyes for financial help?

sabrerich

We are coming to live in TRNC on 6th January 2017 but I am also coming out on 24th November. We will be living on the same complex as Red Fort in Esentepe.

We would like to donate a battery for whichever Defibrillator needs one, I can bring it with me in November if you wish??

All I need is where to purchase it from, part number and it's yours.

lee666 wrote:sabrerich

We are coming to live in TRNC on 6th January 2017 but I am also coming out on 24th November. We will be living on the same complex as Red Fort in Esentepe.

We would like to donate a battery for whichever Defibrillator needs one, I can bring it with me in November if you wish??

All I need is where to purchase it from, part number and it's yours.

Wow thank you so much. The machines are all Phillips Heart Start 1. The reference number on the battery is M5070A. We bought all the original equipment from St Johns Medical Supplies. The battery we bought recently was from a Company on EBay (brand new of course). The cost was £115 and the company was Medical Battery Warehouse UK.

I couldn't find them on uk eBay but the cheapest I got one is on here.
http://www.euroenergy.co.uk/philips-hea ... p-925.html

Just a thought - perhaps you've already had it ! - would you be able to claim the VAT back if taking it out of the UK / EU?

Never thought of that. But I also thought medical equipment was vat free... Hay hoe

Did a quick search this morning and found it on Ebay - at work but will locate it tonight and get it sorted.

Not sure about all the VAT rules etc but as long as the Defibs are working, that's the main thing.

Just a small note of caution about bringing batteries (lithium ion ones) on flights. Airlines can be concerned at such things. Below is a link to BA's guidelines re such things (in pdf format)

http://www.britishairways.com/cms/globa ... attery.pdf

On that errol does anyone know if you can get them in the south?

Keithcaley wrote:Just a thought - perhaps you've already had it ! - would you be able to claim the VAT back if taking it out of the UK / EU?

The original items came over VAT free but to do that we had to have everything go through the Government. They had to come over via DHL, then into Customs, they then had to be picked up by the main hospital in Girne. We were then "presented" with them being handed over to us by the Minister of Health.

erol wrote:Just a small note of caution about bringing batteries (lithium ion ones) on flights. Airlines can be concerned at such things. Below is a link to BA's guidelines re such things (in pdf format)

http://www.britishairways.com/cms/globa ... attery.pdf

I'm sure there wouldn't be a problem as these batteries are the same size as an iPhone. We recently brought one back in our hand luggage and no one questioned it.

sabrerich wrote:

erol wrote:Just a small note of caution about bringing batteries (lithium ion ones) on flights. Airlines can be concerned at such things. Below is a link to BA's guidelines re such things (in pdf format)

http://www.britishairways.com/cms/globa ... attery.pdf

I'm sure there wouldn't be a problem as these batteries are the same size as an iPhone. We recently brought one back in our hand luggage and no one questioned it.

In hand luggage should be fine. If the ebay link is accurate the battery in question is just under 40wh. However as a spare battery, not plugged into a device, it would actually not be allowed in hold luggage according to BA rules. Just thought it was worth mentioning this to help avoid any problems if someone is planning to bring one or more over.

Just keeping it near the top

Hi are there many people helping you with this post?

Muzer wrote:Hi are there many people helping you with this post?

Hi Muzer we are getting a few enquiries. It all helps. The more the better.

I think I'ii send an email to our sites and ask people to put their hands in their pockets. Five pounds each on our site would more than cover the cost.
I would hate for someone who needs it to go and it's been taken out of commission.

One battery and one set of adult pads ordered and en route to me.

Sabrerich, can you email or pm your address to me and I can drop them off to you when I arrive in Esentepe at the end of next month.

lee666 wrote:One battery and one set of adult pads ordered and en route to me.

Sabrerich, can you email or pm your address to me and I can drop them off to you when I arrive in Esentepe at the end of next month.

Wow thank you so much. You have done enough. We will meet up with you if you let us know the time and place.

Thank you so much

sabrerich you are more than welcome and glad we could help.

I will let you know date & time closer to our arrival, where in Esentepe is best for you ??

Hi I've asked the the company on both evergreen sites to send everyone an email. Wait and see what kind of response.

Thankyou fingers crossed

Hi I've ordered a battery so will be with you on the 19th. Also an email was sent out to Sevilla villa owners and a few people have said they are going to donate money towards another battery. It's it's moving in the right direction.
Only three to go fingers crossed .

Many thanks Muzer. That's brilliant. We have already replaced one battery. We've had donated enough funds to buy two more, one of which should be in the Country by the end of this week and the other mid November.

Rich

So are you saying with the money and batteries you are getting you only need one more? I suppose if that's the case I hope people still give for new pads and have money in the account just in case one defibulator needs replaced in the future.
Well done I take my hat off to you guys running the program thank you very much. I'll see you next week and give you the money and the battery cheers Murray

Rich

The battery & pads arrive 20 mins ago, see you at the end of November.

Well done Rich and everyone.

Muzer wrote:So are you saying with the money and batteries you are getting you only need one more? I suppose if that's the case I hope people still give for new pads and have money in the account just in case one defibulator needs replaced in the future.
Well done I take my hat off to you guys running the program thank you very much. I'll see you next week and give you the money and the battery cheers Murray

Yes that's correct. We are so grateful to everyone who has helped. Unfortunately the battery due to arrive here tomorrow was delivered to the wrong address and the people bringing it over won't be around to accept the redelivery. I've had it redirected to another address but the battery will come out now in November with another one.

Any further funds received will remain in the account to be used for future replacements.

Rich

lee666 wrote:Rich

The battery & pads arrive 20 mins ago, see you at the end of November.

Well done Rich and everyone.

Thank you so much for this. Really really appreciate everything which is being done.

Rich

Interesting
Warning issued over faulty defibrillators in public places
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-37648024

Hope these are not the same ones?

Kevin Lapta wrote:Interesting
Warning issued over faulty defibrillators in public places
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-37648024

Hope these are not the same ones?

Hi Kevin

Thank you for the warning.

Thankfully ours are all Phillips Heart Start 1 machines. The ones we have were recommended by St John Ambulance and were being used in a lot of the big UK Company Sites as they are so easy to use. No training is required to use them (it does help though if you have basic CPR knowledge).

Rich

please let me know exactly what type of electrodes are needed. I may be able to source some in uk.

model type and code please

oneillbox wrote:please let me know exactly what type of electrodes are needed. I may be able to source some in uk.

model type and code please

Thank you the machines are all the same. They are the Phillips HS1. Batteries M5070A and are about the size of an iphone and the pads are enclosed in a cassette Ref No. M5071A

Regards Rich

Hi I've got the battery and money from Sevilla villas. Can I meet up soon please cheers

Muzer wrote:Hi I've got the battery and money from Sevilla villas. Can I meet up soon please cheers

That is brilliant, thank you.

As an update the defib at Metran/NE&SE Tatlisu is now in full working order. Thank you so very much for the battery donation.

Hi Rich

Will you be popping into Sammy's Friday morning to pick up the battery. My hire car should arrive 10am so will be hanging around on the verandah. If I have to go to the office it is on the Bellapais road but can leave it at reception or if 11am is easier for you, then not a problem for me.

Cath W

Hi Cally, will call in at Hotel just after 10am if thats ok. thanks

See you there

Sabrerich

Good morning, I am in Esentepe now where would you like to meet for a coffee so I can give you the battery & pads.

I will be be in the village this morning as have a few things to do but can also do tomorrow as originally arranged.