135,000 People Per Year Go Into Cardiac Arrest Outside Of A Hospital Environment 

85% of these incidents involve the heart going into a’shockable’ rhythm – i.e. it is possible to jolt the heart back into a healthy rhythm using a defibrillator.

When someone is in cardiac arrest, their chances of survival drop by 10% with every minute that passes before receiving treatment (shock).

What is an Automated External Defibrillator? 

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a portable, self-powered device that guides the user through the stages of analysing the patient’s heart rhythm and administering electrical shocks if needed.

A defibrillator is very user-friendly, and as soon as you turn it on, it will give you instructions on what to do.

 If you are in a first-aid situation and you think you need a defibrillator, call 999 immediately.

You will then be told where the nearest defibrillator (AED) is situated and how to access it. They will instruct you to stay and administer CPR to the patient while someone else goes for the AED. If you do not have someone with you, stay with the patient and wait for an ambulance or first responder to bring an AED.

They are locked securely in a vandal-proof cabinet, with a numerical Pin Code. If you call 999, they will give you the code to unlock the cabinet if it is needed.

Remember: If someone collapses and is not breathing, dial 999 first.