What Defibrillators Do
Every year in the UK, over 40,000 people experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
When someone’s heart suddenly stops beating, every second counts. In those critical moments, having the right equipment in the right place can be the difference between life or death. But a defibrillator can only save a life if it’s working, accessible and ready to use.
70% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests receive CPR from bystanders, yet defibrillators are used in fewer than 10% of cases – a gap that costs lives. For every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation, the chances of survival decrease rapidly. That’s why it’s so important to act immediately.
Early defibrillation can more than double the chance of survival, so the closer a defibrillator can be located, the better.
With 15% of cardiac arrests happening in the workplace, installing a defibrillator is a powerful action for businesses to take. Along with essential first aid training for staff, having a defibrillator on-site ensures that they not only protect employees, but also visitors and the public, potentially saving lives.
Why Install a Defibrillator?
The decision to advocate for the strategic placement of defibrillators in high-traffic or high-risk locations is essential to continue lifesaving work, nationwide. From community hubs to schools and sports centres, workplaces and public transport stations, knowing where to install Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) can dramatically increase survival rates after cardiac arrests.
- Defibrillators Save Lives
In the case of sudden cardiac arrest, having a defib minutes away can be the difference between life and death. - Cardiac Arrest Affects All Ages, All Genders, All Backgrounds
No one is immune to the possibility of needing medical intervention for a sudden cardiac arrest. - Take Action Before an Ambulance Arrives
Waiting for emergency services can simply take too long. Performing early CPR and defibrillation – within the first few minutes - can dramatically increase survival rates. - AEDs are Simple and Safe to Use
AEDs are designed to be used safely by members of the public before the emergency services arrive. - Promotes First Aid Awareness
Having a defibrillator in certain high-traffic places can also encourage people to consider health, safety and responsibility in their environments.
Make Sure Your Defibrillator Is Rescue-ready
Defibrillators save lives - but only if they’re ready to use. Your workplace may already have a defibrillator; if it does, then now is the perfect time to take some quick action to ensure it’s in working order.
This week (15-21 June) is Check Your Defib Week. This campaign, led by the Resuscitation Council UK, encourages defibrillator Guardians to ensure their defibs are ready to save a life and are registered on The Circuit, the national defibrillator network.
Simple issues like flat batteries or expired pads can stop a defibrillator from working when it matters most. That’s why regular checks are essential.
This Check Your Defib Week, take 5 minutes to:
- Check pads and battery expiry
- Confirm your device is working
- Register or update it on The Circuit so emergency services can find it.
How Quick Defibrillation Makes a Difference
Mark and Paul had been on a first aid requalification training course together only a few months before Paul collapsed at work. Mark’s training kicked in straight away, and he started CPR while calling for a defibrillator. Luckily, the company had one on site. Mark gave CPR for around 5-6 minutes and shocked Paul three times, continuing until he regained consciousness and opened his eyes.
Mark said: ‘I’ve helped people who have been in accidents before, but this was my first life-or-death, situation. The emergency responders said that if it hadn’t been for the defibrillator and the CPR, Paul wouldn’t have made it.
‘It’s been such a life-changing situation for both of us, but especially for Paul, who’s stopped smoking and started to lose weight. I’m glad I had the training so I could step up and help him. I know he would have done the same for me.’
Paul thankfully made a full recovery after an operation to insert a stent into his heart. But without Mark’s quick and decisive actions, things could have been very different.
Stories like this are only possible when a defibrillator is nearby, working and ready to use.
Lifesaving Locations For Defibrillators
1. Offices
As mentioned previously, up to 15% of cardiac arrests happen in the workplace, which is a statistic not to be ignored.
With a combination of the proper training and correctly installed equipment, you can ensure your colleagues, clients or visitors are in a place where they can be immediately responded to in case of an emergency.
Workplaces should consider the level of diversity in their employees and visitors, with age ranges spanning from 16 to over 75 in some places. This can increase the risks of cardiac arrests with a variety of lifestyle factors also at play.
All workplaces should conduct a risk assessment to determine the level of first aid cover and equipment needed.
In short, having a defibrillator in an office building:
- Demonstrates an employer's duty of care
- Supports HSE compliance if a risk assessment has determined the need for a defibrillator
- Reassures employees, visitors and the public alike.
2. Event Spaces
Event spaces will soon be required to do more to prepare for emergencies, with the introduction of Martyn’s Law which is due to come into effect in 2027. Defibrillators can form part of a wider emergency preparedness strategy alongside requirements introduced under Martyn’s Law.
Officially titled the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 - it is landmark UK legislation designed to strengthen how public venues, workplaces, and event spaces prepare for and respond to the threat of terrorism.
Simply put, large crowds mean higher risks. Event spaces bring together hundreds or thousands of people into a confined area, making it take longer for additional services such as paramedics to gain access if needed.
Events held in these spaces often also involve a mix of emotions and/or physical exertion. Stress, excitement and physical activity such as dancing or cheering can potentially put more strain on the heart and body, meaning accessible treatment options such as defibrillators should be placed accordingly and remain accessible.
Defibrillators in event spaces will:
- Align with future compliance expectations such as Martyn’s Law
- Reduce organisational risk
- Offer increased and timely protection to event-goers.
3. Schools
Around 37% of cardiac arrests occur within 300m of a school.
Schools often have very high footfall throughout the peak periods of the day. Not only from children and students but also from staff, parents, caretakers and a variety of other personnel who often differ in age, gender and background.
This makes schools a hotspot for potential cardiac arrests, as well as a range of other first aid incidents.
Schools and other educational environments should also play their part in nurturing a culture of care and safety, through demonstrating correct processes and proper first aid coverage.
Schools also encourage high activity rates through playtimes, physical education, sports clubs and after-school activities, making it crucial to have the correct measures in place in case an emergency were to take place.
While many schools have a defibrillator on site, nearly 60% of these are not registered and may be invisible to the emergency services. Having a defibrillator isn’t enough; people need to know it’s there.
Installing a defibrillator is only the first step. Schools should consider registering it on The Circuit so it can be located quickly and easily in an emergency.
Schools should also consider the size of the site. Is one defibrillator enough? Where on the site is it located? How quickly can a defibrillator be reached if an arrest happens on the playing field, for example?
In short, defibrillators in schools:
- Support safeguarding responsibilities
- Protect communities beyond school hours.
Save A Heart With a HEART
If your organisation doesn’t yet have a defibrillator – or needs to upgrade – choosing the right one is important. But ensuring it stays ready to use is what saves lives.
St John Ambulance offers two state-of-the-art Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), the HEART One and HEART Two.
These semi-automatic defibrillators, designed by first aid experts, combine St John Ambulance's lifesaving expertise with easy-to-use technology, making it the most reliable, affordable choice for workplaces, schools, and communities that want to protect the people that matter most.
Clear voice, visual and on-screen prompts guide you on every step; and the very latest clinical science means that the HEART AED analyses the heart rhythm and only advises a shock when appropriate.
The HEART One and Two defibrillators are designed with features that help you avoid them cutting off during a rescue. Both models:
- Carry out daily self-tests to ensure they’re working properly
- A green flashing light shows the device is ready to use
- A red light and audible alert indicate a fault that needs attention
- Are powered by a long-life lithium battery
- Can deliver 200+ shocks or stay on standby for up to 5 years
- Even on a low battery, they can still provide:
- At least 30 shocks
- Up to 2 hours of monitoring.
In addition to these two traditional defibrillator models, the newly launched HEART Pocket goes an extra step for those in remote or difficult environments.
Weighing just 700g it’s compact enough to fit into your pocket. This model features unparalleled portability and durability with integrated, professional-grade features.
The HEART Pocket is recommended for first responders or medical professionals who are constantly on the move and need instant access to life-saving defibrillation.
Make Every Minute Count
You already have the skills to save a life - now it’s about making sure you have the tools in place to act when it matters most. As a trained first aider, you’re in a unique position to speak up.
Defibrillators only save lives if they’re close by, visible, and ready to use. Whether it’s your workplace, a local school, or an event space, your voice can help drive the change that puts lifesaving equipment where it’s needed most.
Take a moment to look around your environment:
- Is there a defibrillator nearby?
- Is it accessible within minutes?
- Is it registered and ready to use?
If not, this is your opportunity to lead. Start the conversation today - speak to your organisation about improving your first aid readiness - from placing defibrillators in the right locations, to ensuring colleagues are confident to use them.
This Week: Turn Awareness Into Action
Now’s the time to make sure your defibrillator is ready.
During Check Your Defib week:
- Advocate for easily accessible defibrillators in your workplace
- Check your defibrillator is ready to use if you already have one
- Register it on The Circuit
- Make sure it’s accessible within minutes.
Because when cardiac arrest strikes, a defibrillator isn’t enough; it needs to be ready.
- Download the Resuscitation Council UK’s defib checklist
- Register your device on The Circuit.
Sources:
https://www.sja.org.uk/get-advice/i-need-to-know/defibrillator-guide-for-first-time-buyers/
