A golf club near Taunton has installed a new defibrillator after a life-threatening incident took place earlier this year.

Oake Manor Golf Club announced the new addition after a golfer suffered a cardiac arrest on the course in January.

It exposed the need for increased accessibility to essential life saving equipment.

The golfer's life was saved due to the quick thinking and response of fellow players and the club’s first aiders, assisted by an on-site defibrillator.

The incident has since led to an in-depth study of heart attack symptoms and treatments by the golf club leading to the installation of a second device.

Oake’s general manager Steve Purchase said: "Our team's quick response and training were crucial when someone on the golf course suffered a cardiac arrest.

"We quickly learned how critical it is to get to a casualty quickly."

Somerset County Gazette: Oake Manor Golf Club announced the new addition after a golfer suffered a cardiac arrest on the

The new defibrillator, which administers a jolt of energy to a stopped heart, has been placed strategically on the far side of Oake Manor course, further enhancing player safety.

Mr Purchase noted the benefits of having quick access to such equipment, with the British Heart Foundation stating that chances of survival decrease by up to 10 per cent for every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation.

The new defibrillator provides peace of mind to all players with the knowledge that quick access to life-saving equipment is available if needed again.

The British Heart Foundation emphasises the importance of immediate treatment in cardiac arrests to increase survival rates.

They advise calling 999 and starting CPR if someone experiences a cardiac arrest while waiting for emergency services to arrive.