Defibrillators help to save lives.
A defibrillator is a device that gives a high energy electric shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest. This high energy shock is called defibrillation, and it's an essential part in trying to save the life of someone who's in cardiac arrest.
You don't need to be trained to use a defibrillator. Anyone can use it. There are clear instructions on how to attach the defibrillator pads. It then assesses the heart rhythm and will only instruct you to deliver a shock if it's needed. You cannot deliver a shock accidentally, the defibrillator will only allow you to shock if it is needed.
Defibrillators are normally located in workplaces and public spaces like airports, shopping centres, community centres, coffee shops... even village telephone boxes. These defibrillators are known as public access defibrillators (PADs) as anyone can use them.
If you need a defibrillator in an emergency, the 999 call handler will often know where one is and tell you, so you can ask someone to get it. By performing CPR and using a defibrillator, you'll give someone the best possible chance of survival, but there isn't always a defibrillator close enough to help save the life of someone having a cardiac arrest.
If you have a defibrillator and it’s not registered with West Midlands Ambulance Service and the British Heart Foundation, make sure they know about it so that together we can help to save even more lives