Public Access Defibrillators

We encourage businesses, schools and local community groups to install defibrillators and can support with training.

Sudden cardiac arrest remains the UK’s single biggest killer. Public Access Defibrillators (PADs) are lifesaving machines and very easy to use. For more information, download our Public Access Defibrillator information pack.

For schools that would like assistance with purchasing an AED, the Department for Education has negotiated an arrangement with NHS Supply Chain to buy certain AEDs at a discount. View the Department of Education AED guide for schools * guide for more details.

Locating your defibrillator

We recommend that Public Access Defibrillators are placed in an area with a large footfall e.g. a Public Telephone Box, outside a Pub, Village Hall or Community Centre. The options are endless. Please call us on 01869 365 000 and ask for the Defibrillator Team or email defib@scas.nhs.uk if you have any queries.

Training

We can carry out basic life support awareness training sessions at a venue local to yourselves. This session will last circa 90 – 120 minutes and cover: Finding a patient; Alerting the Emergency Services; Assessing the Patient for Consciousness; CPR; and how to use the Defibrillator.

For businesses interested in hosting training please email our charity team at info@sca-charity.org.uk, there will be a charge of £200 for this service.

For local community groups please use our online form or email defib@scas.nhs.uk . Please note that we ask for a monetary donation towards the cost of delivering this training. If you would like to take advantage of this training, please contact and we will get back in touch with you.

Maintaining your defibrillator

All defibrillators need to be checked regularly to ensure that they are functional on an ongoing basis. Please see our Guardian Checklist for the types of checks you will need to carry out.

Registering your defibrillator

You should register your defibrillator on the national database called The Circuit. This ensures we can direct members of the public to your defibrillator.

It will only take you a few minutes to register at www.thecircuit.uk.

To complete your registration, you’ll need the following information about your defibrillator:

The full address and location of the defibrillator (including any extra details such as ‘on the 3rd floor by the photocopier’)
The brand and model (usually to be found on the front) and serial number (usually on the underside)
Accessibility days and times
Pad expiry date
Confirmation that your defibrillator is displaying the ready signal when you last checked it
Access code (if the defibrillator is kept in a locked cabinet).

Clear signage

The standard is now that signs should be visible where the AED is stored and within its presumed operational radius with a minimum of 200 metres and they should indicate the direction and distance to the AED. It is also recommended that the lettering should be a sufficient size to be identifiable from a distance of at least 50 metres (12 cm in height).

In addition, the AED cabinet should, whenever possible, be illuminated at night, with associated signage made of photoluminescent material and signage should be properly maintained, with all signs associated with the AED inspected at the same time the device undergoes its annual routine checks.

Downloads

Title	Download