Defibrillators

A defibrillator is a device that gives a high energy shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest. You might also hear it being called a defib, a PAD (public access defibrillator) or an AED (automated external defibrillator).  

There are over 50,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests each year in the UK, but less than one in ten people will survive. Every minute without CPR and defibrillation after a cardiac arrest can reduce the chance of survival by up to 10 per cent.

Quick CPR and defibrillation are the only chance of saving someone’s life. If a defibrillator is applied to the patient within the first three to five minutes, then the chances of survival increase from 6% to over 70%.

Anyone can use a defibrillator. You do not need training. Once you turn it on, it will give clear step-by-step voice instructions.

Many defibrillators also have visual prompts and images showing how to use it.

The device checks the person’s heart rhythm and will only tell you to give them a shock if it’s needed. You cannot shock yourself or someone else accidentally.

Automatic vs Semi-automatic defibrillators

Defibrillators are either semi-automatic or fully automatic.  The difference is how much action is needed from the person using it:

• A semi-automatic defibrillator analyses the person’s heart rhythm.  They require the rescuer to press a button to deliver a shock when instructed by the device. This allows the rescuer to maintain control over the situation and ensures that nobody else is in contact with the patient’s body during the shock delivery, maximising its impact.
• A fully automatic defibrillator will advise if a shock is needed. It will tell people to step back and then it will give a shock.

Benefits of Semi-automatic v Automatic defibrillators

Semi-automatic defibrillators: 

• Rescuer control ensures no interference during shock delivery. 
• Reduces the risk of a diminished shock due to contact with the patient’s body.

Fully automatic defibrillators:

• No need for rescuer intervention during shock delivery. 
• Clear countdown announcement ensures safety for all involved. 

Common Features of Both Types: 

• Both types of defibrillators require electrode pads to be applied to the patient before the shock delivery. 
• Neither will deliver a shock without detecting an irregular heart rhythm, minimising the risk of accidental shocks. 
• Both provide voice instructions to guide rescuers through the process, including when a shock has been delivered and when to continue CPR. 

Will it work for children?

For children under 8, the shock from a defibrillator needs to be weaker than it is for adults. 

Some defibrillators let you switch easily from adult to child mode.  Others need different electrode pads that are suitable for use on children or a special ‘child key’ to switch mode.

We always recommend a defibrillator with a built-in-switch as this can save vital time during an emergency.

What are the costs of owning a defibrillator?

As well as the price of a defibrillator, you also need to think about installation and running costs.

Defibrillator batteries and pads need replacing, so you should include these costs when you’re working out how much money you need.

You also need to consider any storage costs.

Click here for more information on the installation and running costs of defibrillators.

Choosing a defibrillator

Which defibrillator to get depends on where you’re going to keep it and who will be using it. 

The type of defibrillator you choose will depend on:  

• The location it will be kept in
• Who will be using it
• Whether it will be used on children

Click here for more information on picking the right defibrillator for your club.

Registering your defibrillator on the national defibrillator network

If your club has a defibrillator, you play a vital role in ensuring it’s registered and ready to save lives. Registering it on The Circuit – the national defibrillator network, ensures that the precise location of your defibrillator is known to ambulance services. This is crucial for quick access and can significantly contribute to saving lives.

Costs and fundraising

Despite their importance, we understand that defibs cost a lot of money. 

We would encourage all clubs to aim to get a defib within a minute of the court and therefore encourage purchase if possible.  Defibs will range between £800 to £3,000 however to reduce costs, often communities will combine to aid the purchase. Multiple users of the same venue can all benefit from the purchase of a unit, for example, so banding together to raise funds together is a worthwhile cause.

We would also recommend approaching local shops or businesses that may want to contribute to a lifesaving piece of equipment in the vicinity. This is excellent PR and promotion for those businesses with the hopeful end goals of everyone benefitting.

London Hearts offer

BE have teamed up with the charity London Hearts to run an exclusive portable defibrillator scheme which would enable clubs to obtain a Mindray C1A Fully Automatic Defibrillator & C Series Carry Case (ideal for courtside locations for a grab and go scenario) for £660.00 exc. VAT.

The usual RRP for this bundle is £1127.00, and VAT would only be applied if the club is VAT registered and therefore able to reclaim the same. 

This scheme will run until all available defibrillators have been claimed. 

To apply for this please click the button below.

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