Why it matters: Quick access to defibrillators, combined with good Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), can mean the difference between life and death during cardiac arrests. However, emergency services can only direct people to devices that are registered on the national database.
The big picture: The campaign comes as the British Heart Foundation celebrates 100,000 defibrillators being registered on The Circuit, a national network that maps every defibrillator in the UK. The system also sends maintenance reminders to help ensure devices are ready when needed.
What they're saying: "The cost of buying a defibrillator has dropped in recent years, so many organisations now own them," said Dr Simon Walsh, Medical Director at EEAST. "But for it to be able to save a life, you need to do three simple things:"
Register the defibrillator on The Circuit
Ensure regular maintenance and battery changes
Keep its status updated after use
Key details: After a defibrillator is used, it's marked as out of service on The Circuit. It must be checked, have its battery and disposable parts replaced, and be registered as back in service before it can be used again.
By the numbers: Currently, 9,400 defibrillators are registered in the six counties of the East of England region but EEAST wants to get this figure to 10,000.
Worth noting: No training is needed to use a defibrillator. However, EEAST offers free Basic Life Support and defibrillator training for community groups. Those interested can contact volunteer@eastamb.nhs.uk.
The bottom line: Schools, pubs, community centres and other organisations with unregistered defibrillators could help reach the target by adding their devices to the database, which takes about five minutes.
