A new campaign by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to register all defibrillators in the UK has been launched. It is thought that as a result of mapping every defibrillator thousands more lives will be saved.
The project will see the NHS, BHF and Microsoft work together to improve survival rates of cardiac arrests. It has been launched in response to figures that only 3% of out of hospital cardiac arrests make use of a nearby public access defibrillator.
According to the BHF, every minute after cardiac arrest without defibrillation means a 10% lower chance of survival. However, this new scheme will map nearby locations in which the 999 call handler will be able to direct callers and other bystanders to their nearest machine. This could mean lives could be saved that could usually be lost before the ambulance is able to attend.
Owners and ‘guardians’ of defibrillators are being urged to register their device with the Scottish Ambulance Service so that they can be added to the National Defibrillator Network once it is set up.
Rachael Hamilton MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh & Berwickshire said: ‘I know that many villages and organisations in the Borders have made it a priority to have a defibrillator installed in their area or premises.’
‘However, it is important that these are registered with the Scottish Ambulance Service so that call handlers can direct those helping to a nearby machine’
‘Unfortunately, heart problems are a big killer in the UK and especially Scotland. But by working together the British Heart Foundation and other organisations will help bring these rates down.’
‘I urge all people who are responsible for their local defibrillator to ensure it is registered with the Scottish Ambulance service.
David McColgan, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager, BHF Scotland said ‘The announcement of the new National Defibrillator Network is an exciting development in improving out of hospital cardiac arrest survival rates in Scotland and the rest of the UK.
We know that defibrillators play a crucial step in the chain of survival and used alongside bystander CPR a person's chance of survival increases greatly.
Mapping these lifesaving machines will make ambulance call handlers to direct bystanders to the nearest device when appropriate. If someone is guardian of or knows of a public access defibrillator this can be registered through the Scottish Ambulance Service website and you can help play a part in this lifesaving project."