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Defib Check Urged Before School Summer Break
20 Jul
Summary
- Ambulance service urges public defibrillator guardians to check availability.
- Holiday closures can make life-saving devices inaccessible.
- The Circuit network links defibrillators to NHS ambulance services.
South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) is appealing to guardians of publicly accessible defibrillators to verify their availability before schools and colleges close for summer holidays. Temporary changes in site access or operating hours during vacation periods can significantly impact the immediate availability of these crucial life-saving devices.
Registering or updating defibrillator information on The Circuit, a national network linking devices to NHS ambulance services, is vital. This ensures 999 call takers can accurately direct individuals seeking immediate assistance during a suspected cardiac arrest. SCAS emphasizes that updating details takes approximately five minutes and is essential for ensuring the devices remain accessible and accurately recorded.
Guardians are encouraged to review and update all information on The Circuit, even if the defibrillator remains accessible throughout the holidays. Once registered, the defibrillator can be quickly integrated into ambulance service systems, becoming available to emergency responders in under a minute. Guides for updating and registering details are accessible on the SCAS website.
