De fibrilator

They do work. The latest research shows that time to shock is the most important factor in surviving a cardiac arrest. The skin needs to be dry so it does not short accross the skin, and or get those standing around. It will only activate if there is a heart rythm that will benefit from a shock. Otherwise it tells you do chest compressions. Remember the staying alive Vinny Jones advert. Cardiac arrest is not what most people refer to as a heart attack, though may be caused by one.
The most likely people to benefit are the elder social members, though I have lost three friends to on the water cardiac arrest. One in his 20's.
If you are going to get one for your club. Try to be part of a community scheme. A green box with a key code on the outside of the building. Make sure it is plugged in and that the plug is protected from accidental disconnection or switching off by the green minded.
I would bring the casualty off the water rather than take it in a wet boat.

Andy

If you were referring to me Lukepiewalker and my heart attack, no I did not call an ambulance but flew to Copenhagen. An uncomfortable few days before being hospitalised and stented in England. In a way that is what worries me. Heart attacks come in many shapes and sizes. What would happen if you wanged someone whose ticker was still ticking?

Sorry, that wasn't intended towards you personally, just part of general reminding all round that the most important thing is always making sure the 999 call goes in as early as possible

As has also been stated, and as I alluded to earlier, the machine won't shock unless conditions are met, so it would detect a 'functioning' heart and wouldn't shock.

a friend was saved in a bar in Germany, they had a defibrilator and they got his ticker ticking again before the ambulance got there, can't see the addition into sports clubs as anything other than positive here, for every (very highly publicised no doubt, the brits love bad news) situation where one's use will cause an issue, there will be many where a life will be saved, IMO

Considering that most clubs are miles from the nearest ambulance stations it would appear prudent to have one, whether it be for a competitor or for someone on shore.

Many sailing clubs are somewhat remote,  even the more (sub)urban ones ...  ( i've been to more than few Sailing clubs where  the distance from the nearest  'council' road to the  club house is half a mile or more   down  unsurfaced  tracks , which adds to response times  whether community FR/ a blue light solo  responder  or the actual ambulance ...