Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)
SCA occurs suddenly and often without any warning. It is the result of an electrical malfunction in the heard that causes and irregular heartbeat (arrythmia). This disrupts the pumping action of the heart, and therefore blood is not being pumped around the body and getting oxygen to vital organs such as the brain. Within a very short space of time, the person will lose conciousness and will not have a pulse.
Death occurs within minutes if the casualty does not receive treatment –
a shock from a defibrillator
SCA can affect anyone at any time.
12 young people in the UK each week lose their lives to Sudden Cardiac Arrest
80% of the above suffer no symptons that pre-warn them
Early intervention by bystander, even those with little training that are willing to get involved anyway, improve the chance of a successful outcome
What is a defibrillator?
A defibrillator, also known as an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a potentially lifesaving piece of electronic kit. In Public Access scenarios, the defibrillators are designed to allow anyone to use them, whether or not they have any previous experience or training. The AED will if appropriate deliver an electrical shock to the heart in an attempt to get the heart beating in a rhythm that is compatible with life.
Interested in learning basic life saving skills?
Alongside our frontline emergency response to 999 calls, we run FREE awareness sessions in association with the British Heart Foundation, in how to deliver CPR, use an AED and how to place a casualty into the recovery position. For more information or to register interest in one of these sessions, please click here
How can you help getting Public Access Defibrillators into the Crowborough Area
These units cost an average of £1,200 depending on the exact specification required at the location. As a charity we rely entirely on donations to fund these units, and therefore why not make a one-off donation towards one (no matter how small your donation), make a regular monthly donation by Direct Debit, organise your own fundraising event or perhaps pledge to leave money towards one in your will
Installation Partner
We are very grateful to have had Sussex Electrical partner with us on installations of our Public Access Defibrillators. If you would like to visit their website, please click here
Defibrillator Security
All our Public Access Defibrillators are security marked with an invisible unique DNA coded product. In the unlikely event that one of them is stolen, not only is it possible to identify the device if all visible markings are removed, but it is also possible to prove whether a suspect or not has been in contact with it. All the defibrillators are also registered on multiple national databases to identify if they appear for sale illegally. For more information on SelectaDNA, click here to visit their website.
We are often asked why we have opted to place our Public Access Defibrillators in locked cabinets, when every minute counts. This is a very valid question of course, so here are the reasons:
Governance: We want to ensure that when you access a Public Access Defibrillator it is in the correct state, not been tampered and the last person to have accessed it will have been one of our team
Vandalism: Sadly a couple of our units have previously been vandalised. Not only does this take out of service lifesaving equipment, but also uses funds that could be directed better
A list of current locations in the Crowborough area can be found by clicking here
