Help save a fellow Londoner’s life

I’m not trying to duck this but wouldn’t it be most effective to ensure that most TFL staff have regular training?

Having said that, I’d be interested in face to face training with a dummy. It’s not effective just to read about it on the ‘net. 

It’s a long time since I had CPR training and no training in the use of a defibrillator. More public reminders and visibility of defibrillators would probably encourage me to look up the internet for instruction. However, nothing better than face to face in-person training. Perhaps available at sports centres, schools and colleges 

I've seen defibrillators in my area (Old St). It might be helpful if there's a clear visual in cartoon form next to them that shows how to use them. Even if you're just passing by, you might read this and use it at some other point. 

I could imagine posters at bus stops too, and on the tube, explaining how they work. These are places where people pause to look and read. A link to a short YouTube video might help too if people are curious or want to see the equipment in action.

I'm newly aware of this because just a week ago someone in my choir keeled over without warning. He was having a heart attack and two choir members who knew how to do CPR saved his life. That meant in practice twenty minutes of pounding his chest. I wouldn't have felt confident to do that or even to know when to stop, but I now realise it's a skill that more of us need. 

Like others I would be afraid to use a defibrillator without any training when I've never even seen one being used.

A course would be ideal but could there be a video tutorial with the basics made and posted somewhere available to the majority (or even shown on TV after local news?)

I was trained in CPR 50 yrs ago and I have had experience of using it. However, I feel rusty now and might hesitate. I have no dea how to use a defibrelator and would be worried I might use it wrong and damage someone.  My supermarket has one outside. They should be in places open most of the time and maintained. Is vandalism a problem. 

I do not believe the travelling public are competent to administer first aid on TfL networks. It is not our responsibility to deal with cardiac arrest or indeed TfL. Your role is to operate transport services only. This is a solution looking for a problem . I do wish you focus on transport reliability figures and leave medical issues to medics/para-medics. 

I notice defibrillators from time to time, but I couldn't confidently tell you locations. I'm pretty sure that there's one in the local station and another in the Sainsbury's Local, but I'm not totally confident. The more there are the better. 

I have had first aid training two or three times during my life, but it's probably twenty years since the most recent. So although I would have a fair idea of what I needed to do should the circumstance ever arise, I would not be very confident about giving CPR or using a defibrillator. In addition I don't have much stamina these days so I don't know how long I could sustain effective CPR. So if I had to do it to save a life I would give it a go, but I would be happy to defer to someone whose body and brain are less rusty!

I think that where there are defibrillators there should be people qualified to use them, for example members of staff at stations and supermarkets. I also think that more should be done to raise awareness of defibrillators, and that first aid training should be available to all who want it. First aid training should be a core part of every child's education, with skills being revisited and built on every year, so that they are ingrained by the time children leave education.

I have done CPR to no avail as I think the person had already died.  The ambulance personnel came and used a defibrillator to no avail so I have seen it used, but would be shy of using it myself, not knowing what to do, where exactly to place it.  I expect there are many people like me.  If I knew what to do, I would be prepared to act should the need arise.

I’ve been helping to recommend  certain features in an inclusive access management plan for our refurbished town hall in Hammersmith which will open next year in June. I’ve been very concerned about first aid. Not only do designated staff members need to know how defibrillators work but also many disabled residents who work directly with the council. We are all woefully out of date with training and most training courses are aimed at able bodied people who have no mobility or cognitive issues. I’m interested you know whether l as an Autistic person would be able to follow the instructions on a defibrillator box. I’m a kinaesthetic learner so ld really appreciate being able to learn how to use one. 

Yes, all stations should maintain defibrillators. Many supermarkets do too, and that should be encouraged. Also park offices, gyms etc.  As for training, I think it's probably best as part of a general first aid course to cover CPR, accidents and related contingencies.  More leaflets about first aid would be good.

Going off-topic a bit, I've seen planning applications (for flashing signs etc) include a defibrillator as a reason to approve the application, even where there already is one.  I have my doubts whether these would be properly maintained.

The is an AED in the underpass below our local station at Herne Hill. AEDs should be installed as widely as possible in public places and leisure/sports facilities as there is a limited time window to use them in a cardiac emergency, so this is a very valuable initiative. They are simple to use, the process mainly looks after itself once the contacts are in place - but.... 

• The more people who are properly trained in their use the better
• AEDS are useful for cardiac arrests (electric pulses), but not for heart attacks (blood flow), so people need to know how to spot the difference
• There is a Heartsafe online map of AED locations, but new installations must be reported to this database
• The installation sites often require someone to phone for a code to unlock them, so having a mobile phone is essential

What might inhibit use by members of the public?

• Fear of making a mistake, being held liable for any further injury or death, being sued or subject to harrassment
• Bystander syndrome - the expectation that someone else will step forward

What might encourage use and take-up of training?

• Publicity - approach it on a community-by-community basis, possibly even street-by-street, not London-wide
• Highlight London Lifesavers
• A "LondonSafe" mobile app - resource covering not just this but multiple other potential emergency situations in the capital. What to do if...; sources of information, help and advice; how you can be prepared; resources; etc. I have plenty of ideas for this!

Although I am in Bexley Borough where we only have South Eastern trains and buses I have spotted a defibrillator at the end of Hurst Road, Sidcup outside an old school on the corner of Station Road, Sidcup as well as in Sidcup High Street. I did do some first aid training, but many years ago, as a civilian with the Metropolitan Police. I do think that teaching basic first aid to young people at school would be a useful life lesson. I remember ' Nelly the elephant' and 'Staying alive' by the Bee Gees were useful for the CPR timing. I would also be interested to know what the 'Bleed ' kit on a wall near Sidcup High Street is for as well.

Having a defibrillator relatively close at hand is a god send.  This initiative will save many lives.  Well done to London and Sadiq Khan.

I have long forgotten how to use a defibrillator and should welcome a refresher course.  

As one can expect with Sadiq Khan this move has been peppered with endless PR about him, all at full cost to the taxpayer when GLA council tax went up nearly 10% this year. 
I agree I have no idea how to use defibrillators however perhaps this crucial campaign activity could have been better spent telling people about where they are and how to use them rather than trying to plug propaganda about Sadiq Khan.

I'd be confident in giving CPR and in using a defib once trained in how to use it. 

I learnt First Aid skills including CPR and defibrillator use as a British Red Cross volunteer many years ago. So I know roughly what to do and would go ahead in an emergency if there was no one better qualified there. But I would welcome the opportunity ti take a refresher class especially as defibrillators have no doubt changed over the years.