Help save a fellow Londoner’s life

Thank you. I've seen these on the streets but would probably be too scared of doing it wrong to use one. I've used your link to request a place on one of the London Ambulance training sessions.  No doubt I will still be looking for a medical professional to step in after I have received the training, but hopefully will have the confidence to do something if no experts are around. 

Emails like the one I received today about the survey, notices on the equipment in the streets/ other public places and  in the council newsletters that are posted though our letterboxes could all raise awareness. My 12 year old received basic CPR training at school, perhaps more of such training could be offered in workplaces too for us adults.  Libraries and churches/ other religious places could also be good locations for them.

• Hi, this is a great initiative.

• Having done first aid courses in past I'm very aware that current guidance on cardiac arrests has changed and that using a defibrillator is essential to help.  Having more available and letting people know how easy they are to use is essential.

   

• I personally feel much more confident using a defibrillator than I would preforming CPR on someone.

I've seen them in some sports centres but they should definitely be more widely available.  Cafes on commons where people are often walking, railway stations, supermarkets.....

• I would def sign up to a free course on using defibrillators and lifesaving skills.
• Making these skills accessible and showing how simple it is to help would definitely remove the fear that some people have in using them.

They are missing an opportunity if the new replacement for A levels doesn't include basic first-aid. 

AEDs, (Automated External Defirillator), are amazingly easy to use, (mostly automated), have instructions and thankfully will talk you through the process and may have a display too, depending on the model. So even someone who has never seen one could operate one. They are safe & could very well save a life, you just need the confidence to turn it on. The most difficult part of the whole process is CPR itself, which can be quite physically demanding. 

I have noticed quite a few telephone boxes now have AEDs, (though maybe not telephones), but it isn't always very obvious, just a small green and white sign of a heart and lightning bolt. Often to gain access a call to 999 must be made, but after assessing for danger, that is pretty much the best thing to do anyway, you will get instructions on how best to help, can share important information and the sooner paramedics arrive, the better.

I think it is wonderful that more defibs are being rolled out, but training really does help with confidence. Sadly my qualifications all lapsed during the worst of the pandemic, so I'm positive that I could benefit from a refresher

Hi all,

I welcome research into this topic area and I just wish if First Aid training including defibrilator use was more widespread and more importantly free to all who wish to train.

With the struggles faced by the NHS and the Ambulance service across the UK, I hope this can be implemented in the near future.

I think the more defib machines available the better, and the more people can witness how to operate one and take the fear out of doing so would be great, these machines now are no more difficult to use than a smart phone. At the end of the day it could be a friend or relative whose life you could be saving.

I think it is a very good idea and could potentially save many lives. The fact the AED is easy to use is a benifit to everyone especially when not everyone knows how to give CPR. 

I did First Aid course some 10 years ago, so would be fairly confident with mouth to mouth and CPR. As to using a defibrillator, my understanding is the machine talks you through it. 

I'd be uncertain as how to gain access to it. Also to remind people that they should not be held liable if their actions do not help, or make things worse. 

Also, are there circumstances when it should not be used? In rain? After shock from traction current? On metal surfaces? Age/weight restrictions?

To make it more mainstream, will each station have a clearly visible defibrillator post/section/statement that we can all instantly recognise as relating to defibrillators?

This wouldn't necessarily require each station to have a defibrillator, but at least to explain where the nearest one is. If it's two stations away, station staff could perhaps request it is brought over on next train. Floating station staff covering a range of stations wouldn't need to memorise where their nearest defibrillator is. Members of public could also inform staff, BTP, etc or BTP could action themselves if first on site.

I definitely think First Aid should be a subject taught in all schools and this should include how to use a defibrillator 

I was First Aid at Work trained, but this lapsed some 15 years ago!

I would like signposting to get my skills updated including use of a defib, which wasn't covered on my last course.

Also, is there an easy interactive map which shows the locations of defibs, please?

Thanks.

Richard.

It's been years since I did a basic CPR course and I wouldn't have a clue how to use a defibrillator. I would be very interested in learning how to use one and any other first aid courses that are available. 

My main hobby is scuba diving and I regularly refresh and train others on lifesaving skills as they are an essential part of our lifesaving skills. All diving agencies use the same procedures recommended by the main health agencies. 

I often walk and jog in Victoria Park and, if I see somebody exercising who looks a bit overweight or (like me!) a bit older than average, I imagine what I would do if they suddenly collapsed in front of me. 

I know there is a defibrillator in the Hub Cafe, because I've seen the signs, but I wonder how many other park users know that. And what happens if the cafe is shut? Given the number of joggers and cyclists using the park, having bigger signs and, perhaps, a couple more defibrillators (e.g. near the gates where people would spot them easily) would make sense. 

Pop-up familiarity/training/refresher sessions in the park - especially at the weekend when it's busy and people  have more leisure time - would also be a great way of getting to people, as has been done for cycling safety and bike maintenance.

Hello.Given the right training and refresher  courses I would feel confident in using a de fib.I believe that the chances of survival are greater with a se fib being used. I would need to be sure of how to use it.I have seen a de fib in a local phone box and reception area where I work.

I think a TVP commercial like the FAST one for strokes would heighten awareness 

I would not currently feel confident using a defibrillator, but I would want to help. I might look around for someone more proficient to use it, or call an ambulance. I have seen them in fitness facilities, educational establishments and probably at stations or on the street. I guess it would be good to see them in shopping centres too. 

I would be more than happy to sign up for a free course, but it would need to be on a weekend. 

A public health campaign on the radio/tv/cinema plus social media would be a good way of getting people to engage or sign up for training.

My grandfather died of a heart attack in front of me when I was 11, I have some first aid experience but we all need to know the basics. People are afraid of making things worse or being criticised if they do or don’t administer life saving treatment, or even worse, being sued.

While I know the basics of CPR, a refresher would be helpful, especially because the guidelines change over time.

As for the defibrillators, I would be very keen to attend an in-person session to learn how to use it properly. I don't think a description or cartoons/images are enough. A video tutorial would be an alternative for those who can't attend the live sessions.

Good stuff overall!!