St Rocco’s Hospice is delighted to share that they have recently been given a grant from the Department of Health and Social Care to help purchase a new community defibrillator as part of their Community Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Fund.

The new defibrillator is located on the wall outside St Rocco’s Hospice on Lockton Lane.  In an emergency, dial 999 and they will advise you how to access and use the machine.  It has been registered on The Circuit – the national defibrillator network.

What is a defibrillator?

Defibrillators are devices that apply an electrical charge or current to the heart to restore a normal heartbeat.  If the heart rhythm stops due to cardiac arrest, a defibrillator may help it start beating again.

How effective is it? 

Research has shown that deploying a defibrillator within 3–5 minutes of collapse can produce survival rates as high as 50–70%. 

What is the difference between CPR and a defibrillator? 

CPR is used to keep someone alive after a cardiac arrest by keeping blood pumping around the body whilst waiting for help to arrive.  However, a defibrillator is used to restart the heart.  CPR alone can double the chances of survival. When you use a defibrillator in addition to quality CPR, the odds of someone’s survival can jump from around 6% to 74% – an incredible difference. 

How do I use an AED?

Anyone can use an Automated External Defibrillator even if you have never seen one before.  No harm can be done to a patient as the machine analyses a patient’s heart rhythm and will only deliver a shock if it is needed.  The AED will give you visual and/or voice prompts to guide you through the process.

To find out more about AEDs and how to use one, you can watch a video here: London Hearts - Using a defibrillator

Where is my nearest defibrillator?

To find out where your nearest defibrillator is visit www.defibfinder.uk