Community response
- 343 BHF-funded defibrillators were awarded across the UK in 05/06.
- Through the National Defibrillator Programme, 2300 defibs awarded to ambulance trusts in 2004 began being rolling out into the community.
- If you would like to find out about becoming a community responder, email equipment@bhf.org.uk or call 0207 487 7167.
Local lifelines
Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart is either not pumping or not pumping effectively. For the first few minutes of a cardiac arrest, the heart contracts in a chaotic way, causing it to quiver and stop pumping blood regularly around the body. When this happens, literally every second counts. If the correct treatment is not given within minutes, the patient will die.
With 12,000 people suffering cardiac arrest outside hospital each year, community responders and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) can often mean the difference between life and death.
AEDs are supplied to GPs and community responders who can be at the scene of a local emergency within minutes. The machines are also installed in busy places like airports and train stations.
Action
In 2005/06 the BHF, in partnership with the Department of Health, continued to expand the National Defibrillator Programme, which installs AEDs where they are most needed. A Big Lottery Fund award of £6 million has allowed the BHF to buy 2,300 AEDs on behalf of ambulance trusts in England.
Impact
Increasing the number of AEDs and recruiting more community responders are vital, as Gordon Wilkes’ story shows. Gordon suffered a cardiac arrest while mowing his lawn. He would have died without his wife’s prompt action in dialling 999. The emergency services immediately alerted Jason Wiles, a paramedic in the Coventry and Warwickshire ambulance service and a volunteer community responder in his spare time. Luckily Jason was close by, also mowing his lawn, when the call came. He rushed to the scene within the first few minutes of Gordon’s attack and saved his life by using an AED funded through the National Defibrillator Programme.
Jason said: “Meeting Mr Wilkes later was a very proud moment for me, knowing that because of my intervention he was here today ... I was filled by immense joy that I had made a difference to him and his family.”
The BHF also played a key role in supporting St John Ambulance responder schemes. Due to one of these schemes, three World War Two veterans were resuscitated at the Cenotaph memorial ceremony in November 2005.
Next steps
The BHF is developing a new web-based system to locate community AEDs across the UK. It will provide a map enabling ambulance services to identify devices and responders locally and ensure people get help as quickly as possible.
In 2006/07 we aim to improve response times in key rural areas to five minutes and under.
We will strive to raise awareness of just how vital a part each of us can play. We want more people to gain an understanding of what AEDs are and why they are needed. With just a few hours' training you could be the crucial link in the chain of response, which could save a life, today.
Community responders - volunteers trained in basic life-saving and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) - a machine that analyses |