A public access defribrillator has been installed outside Government Office, in Bucks Road, Douglas.

The device was jointly funded by the Cabinet Office and Treasury and installed by the Department of Infrastructure.

Dave Scambler, the ambulance service’s public access defibrillator co-ordinator, said: ’As many as seven in 10 people who suffer a cardiac arrest could survive if they were treated with a defibrillator within the first five minutes.

’The more defibrillators that can be made available in the community, and the more people who feel confident to use them, the better the chances of a patient surviving a cardiac arrest.’

A number of public access defibrillators have been installed in the island in recent years thanks to a joint initiative by the Isle of Man Ambulance Service, Rushen Emergency Ambulance, Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation, and St John Ambulance.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle said: ’Government Office is a busy building at the heart of the capital, with a significant number of workers and visitors.

’It makes sense to have a defibrillator on the premises.’

The devices are easily identifiable with distinctive bright green cabinets and signage.