When a person has a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), the normal rhythm becomes disrupted and disorganised, which means their heart can’t beat properly and they won’t be able to breathe normally.
For every minute that someone’s in cardiac arrest without receiving CPR and having a defibrillator used on them, their chance of survival decreases by 10%. That’s why it’s so important to act immediately.
A defibrillator gives a jolt of energy to the heart, which can help restore the heart’s rhythm, and get it beating normally again. A defibrillator is easy to use and doesn’t require training, but it could make the difference between life and death.
They are also called a defib, an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) or a PAD (Public Access Defibrillator).
PADs are designed to be used by the public. When you switch the defibrillator on, it will provide clear instructions and talk you through what you need to do.
A defibrillator will not harm the person suffering a cardiac arrest and will only give them a shock if and when it is needed. There’s no reason to feel nervous about using a defibrillator – just follow its simple instructions, and know that using it could save someone’s life.
PAD locations in the Parish
There are three PADs around the parish, for use in an emergency and are located as follows:
Dumbleton: to the right of the entrance of Dumbleton Village Hall on Dairy Lane
Wormington: on the external wall of the barn nearest to the village green
Great Washbourne: in the red telephone box on Beckford Road, close to the entrance of Church Lane
Saving lives with CPR
If you see someone collapsed and not breathing normally, you need to act fast so they can have the best chance of survival.
Video © Resuscitation Council (UK)
4 steps to take if someone is having a cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrests can happen to anyone, at any time. The following steps give someone the best chance of survival. If you come across someone in cardiac arrest:
- Call 999
- Start CPR
- Ask someone to bring a defibrillator if there’s one nearby
- Turn on the defibrillator and follow its instructions
Video © British Heart Foundation