Help save a fellow Londoner’s life

I have maintained my knowledge of CPR and defibrillators through training programmes in the workplace, and later, as Head of HR for various businesses I made sure it was a core element of employee training.

Most recently I joined up as a NHS volunteer responder and received more updates etc.  There is plenty of opportunity out there, but how can we ensure people know where to find it and h9w to access it?  

I've just done a first aid course and it included practicing with one of these - it was so easy!!! I'd really like to know they are close by when you need one. 

Great idea to introduce defibrillators in stations. Are National Rail doing the same? Are they easily accessible i.e. can they be removed by member of public or do they need a key/code. I understand they are self instructing however confidence in their use is important as with CPR.  Can you provide a short video to show these to give us confidence.

As a Team London Ambassador team leader I was given the opportunity to attend a course  coverin  the use of CPR and the defibrillator. The thing I remember most is that defibrillators come with clear audio instructions. Fortunately I have not been put in a position where I have had to put my knowledge to the test. 

Travellling around the UK, I've seen defibrillators in villages and towns, as well as the odd one in London. I'Ve also seen them abroad. They made me feel safer, just seeing them. They are undoubtedly useful but, having said that, I've no idea how many lives they've saved, but it must be a lot.

I've seen them in stores - but most often in converted phone boxes, which seems brilliant and a potential use for the hideous, negected privately owned black phone boxes in our streets. They might also go in the unused BT boxes around.

I think that defibs are great and can actually save lives until further help arrives however these should only been used by people who know what they are doing or it could make the situation worse unless they are First Aid trained. 

Had some training ages ago so I know what to do but dont feel too confident.

Id like to see more defibrulators in the community especially sports venues - my son in law was playing cricket locally when a young person tragically had a heart attack and may have been saved if there was a defibrillator or someone with CPR knowledge

CPR / emergency first aid should be taught in schools to 6th formers and youth groups - recent cases in the news show that this is relevant 

I work for refugee action Kingston and Id be VERY happy to host training in Kingston upon Thames 

TV and news campaign would be good to raise awareness as well as working with the voluntary sector

 I have been interested in taking a First Aid course for a while, I think it's a very important skill to have. I'm surprised they don't make it a compulsory thing at school.

The significant majority of cardiac arrests which happen outside hospital occur in the home, most of which are too far from any public defibrillator sites. I suggest that this excellent initiative also looks closely at innovative products such as CellAED, a small portable UK-certified defibrillator unit which could be deployed as a much cheaper (per unit) asset on a street or community basis.

I've done a couple of training sessions which included defibrillators over the last few years.
A couple of comments:

1. It should be widely publicised how easy it is to use defibrillators, with the machines themselves giving you instructions, and that they won't give the subject a shock if their condition isn't appropriate.
2. The database of defibrillator locations needs to be kept updated better so that people can find the nearest one quickly in an emergency. This is probably more important than providing more of them.

i am concerned about the time needed to call emergency services to get the code for locked defibrillators in public areas: i realise that they are locked to prevent theft or vandalism but there should be substantial and clearly publicised penalties to dissuade misuse and avoid the need for them to be locked similar to the misuse of emergency alarms on trains: additionally, the defibrillators could be fitted with an alarm that not only attracts local attention but also alerts the emergency services (via mobile telephone network) including audio & video link... 

I have done several first aid courses in the past (for work) and also did a short course on how to use a defib machine (also for work) so I would definitely have a go if there was an incident and a machine was nearby.  I definitely think all schoolchildren should do a basic, full day, first aid course which should include the use of an automated defib machine, before they leave school.

I live in a bungalow adjacent to a playing field. This field is used legally every day by dog walkers (many of them senior citizens), by joggers and by individuals exercising. They are also used illegally by rat-running motor cyclists and cycle riders and also, though less frequently, by children and youths racing motorcycles.    At weekends the football pitches are rented for use for 10 or more football matches (with players aged 5/6 upwards to mature adult).   The already vandalized changing facilities building, was virtually destroyed last year by the gales, and is now being demolished. 

Two questions.  I am happy to have a defribrillator on an outside wall, prominently advertised and readily accessible to any in need.  (1) Who would be responsible for maintenance (or who would be responsible for ensuring maintenance was of acceptable standard)?  (2)  In an area with a reputation for mindless (perhaps drug-fuelled) vandalism, would I have any responsibility in the event of damage to the defribrillator, theft of the defribrillator, or injury or harm to anyone using the defribrillator?  

I'd also be prepared to consider having Bleed Kit cabinet - though I am concerned that having Defribillators and Bleed Kit cabinets may attract unwelcome attention!

Most commercial and public buildings have ( or should have) first aid equipment  and nominated First Aiders on the premises, so maybe defibrillators should be a normal part of the first aid provision with nominated First Aiders all trained to use  them.   Volunteers  and staff who work directly with the public should also be offered the training.  As a volunteer I have been required  to identify where the nearest defibrillator can be found, but would be  unable to use it without training.

What about having defibrillators on public transport such as on tubes and on buses. I was put in a situation last week where I had to call an ambulance because a bus driver jammed on the brakes which caused a woman to hit her head and chest on a railing. That caused her to bleed and lapse in and out of consciousness. Luckily the ambulance came just in time.