What would you do if someone you were with in Deal town centre had a heart attack?

The first thing you would do is call an ambulance. But not many people know the second thing you could do is rush to Dunkerley’s Hotel and Restaurant where there is 24-hour use of a defibrillator.

The Rotary Club of Deal has saved up and donated the emergency life-saving equipment to the people of Deal. And it is being stored in the bar at the Beach Street hotel.

Restaurateur Ian Dunkerley said: “I think Dunkerley’s is the only hotel that has a night porter, so all the time it is here, people can use the defibrillator 24 hours a day. Otherwise if someone has a heart attack in town at night, what would they do?”

"All the time it is here, people can use the defibrillator 24 hours a day" Ian Dunkerley, Dunkerley's Hotel and Restaurant.

Mr Dunkerley knows the importance of having first aid equipment close by after a customer died suddenly outside his restaurant in January.

Despite efforts to save the man, he did not survive.

Mr Dunkerley added: “The nearest defibrillator that is available 24 hours is in Maidstone. There are some places and schools near here that have them, but this is the first 24-hour defibrillator.”

It means anyone witnessing a heart attack doesn’t only have to rely on the emergency services arriving soon to save a life.

The equipment, which is in its own case in the bar, has simple instructions for use on the packaging.

It was revealed at a Rotary Club lunch, where members could see what it does and how it is used.

If you have any queries, or if you ever need to borrow it, call in at Dunkerley’s in Beach Street, Deal.