First aid staff at Ipswich Borough Council's four sports centres begin special training next week as defibrillators arrive.
The decision to make defibrillators available in all centres came after an incident at Maidenhall earlier this year when a customer was resuscitated by Council staff and, then, by paramedics who brought a defibrillator. The customer, who was taking part in a martial arts session, has made a full recovery but without the defibrillator he might not have survived.
The equipment has been funded by the British Heart Foundation, the Gainsborough Sports Centre Cardiac Class and the Borough Council. Additional cash was raised by fund-raising efforts by fitness coach Ali Cuckow and her colleagues.
Borough Arts, Culture & Leisure portfolio-holder Judy Terry said: "We think this is essential for all our customers. While we hope they will never be needed, we will now be more able to cope with emergencies. We are grateful to the BHF and the class at Gainsborough who have done a magnificent job in raising money."