Defibrillators are devices that send an electric pulse or shock to the heart to restore a normal heartbeat. They are used to prevent or correct an arrhythmia, an uneven heartbeat that is too slow or too fast. If the heart suddenly stops, defibrillators can also help it beat again. Different types of defibrillators work in different ways. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs), which are now found in many public spaces, are used to save the lives of people experiencing cardiac arrest. Even untrained bystanders can use these devices in an emergency.
We are seeking this funding to allow us to purchase a defibrillator to be kept at our local community centre.
In 2019 alone, there was a huge 7.4 million people living with heart and circulatory diseases in the UK. An increase in defibrillators across the country has thankfully meant more lives are being saved. According to the British Heart Foundation, less than 1 in 10 people survive a cardiac arrest.
Do you know where your nearest defib is?