What is an Automated External Defibrillator (Defib/ AED)?
A defibrillator is a device that is designed to stop the heart from fibrillating. In many cardiac arrests, the heart muscle is twitching, and not effectively beating. The electric shock from an AED can help the heart beat normally.
Did you know that in many out of hospital cardiac arrests a defibrillator will save a life?
This is why we want to train you on how to use one. And we encourage organisations and to find out where their nearest AED is, or to buy and install their own.
Do I need training?
No you don’t. You don’t even need to have seen one before. They are simple to use, and have been carefully designed so that a passer-by can apply them without any danger to themselves or the casualty.
All you have to do is switch it on and follow the instructions.
You place the pads on the outside of the body (on bare skin), and the machine will do the rest.
Although you can do training if you choose, and it is a part of all quality first aid training courses.
Installing an AED
Many organisations who own an AED have chosen to stuff them in a cupboard and forget about them. So, that is one option, but we would prefer you install it somewhere visible. Would you not be proud to own something that could save a life?
Some people choose to make the extra investment of buying a ‘vandal proof’ cabinet to install outside. These mean that the defibrillator is accessible 24/7 to anyone who needs it. These boxes need an electrical supply to heat the cabinet to prevent the battery from running low in cold weather.
If you feel unsure about this, or how to go about it just contact your local electrician.
Be proud!
Wherever you install it we recommend that you shout loud and proud! To the people you work with, and to the local community- you have a defibrillator!!
You can share it with the community and you may save a life!
Some of our clients even club together with other local businesses and organisations to raise enough money to buy the defibrillator and cabinet.
Register the device
Once the defibrillator is installed you should make sure that the ambulance service know you have it. So when somone calls 999 they are able to give the location of your defib if it is near to them. As well as reporting your defibrillator to the ambulance service there are other apps and sites you can register with such as Heartsafe UK. You can give opening times so it is not accessible when you are closed, or if it’s installed outside it will show as green on the map and be accessible 24 hours.
Chil
d pads?
Are you near to a school or residential area?
Would it be worth buying child pads?
We can advise you on the right machine for your location.
Gift a defib
We are delighted to have donated a lifesaving AED to local charity Unmasked Mental Health in Halifax.
If anyone is considering buying or renting (£1 per day) a defibrillator, please get in touch