Welsh Ambulances #Defibuary campaign to help save a life

In Wales, 80% cardiac arrests occur in the home, so knowing what to do and being familiar with cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how to use a defibrillator can improve the chances of survival for a loved one.

Fiona Maclean, the Trust’s Public Engagement and Community Involvement Manager, leads the #Defibuary campaign. “Defibuary is all about education and taking away the fears people may have in dealing with occurrences of heart attack or cardiac arrest,” she said. “Key to this is for people to be able to recognise the symptoms of both and we have created a series of easy-to-understand slides which we will publish on Twitter and Facebook that are a great tool for the public to save and use as reference.

“We have also produced a handy video this year which demonstrates the correct procedures for CPR and shows how and when to use a defibrillator. Of course, once a 999 call has been made, one of our skilled call handlers will always stay on the line with you and talk you through every step of the way.”

A vital tool available to almost every community in Wales are Public Access Defibrillators (PADS). In cases of cardiac arrest when the heart has stopped pumping blood around the body, a defibrillator will give you step by step instructions on what to do and will only deliver a shock if the person needs it. Defibrillators are easy to use and are designed to be used by anyone. You cannot cause any harm to the person by using one. The Welsh Ambulance Service has access to 6,047 registered PADS across the country and in emergency situations will direct a bystander to the nearest available resource.

Some 2,700 of these PADS are without a ‘Guardian’ or somebody who looks after and checks on the condition of them and carries out tasks such as changing the batteries and pads after use to ensure they are always ‘Rescue Ready’. You can register to become a Guardian by visiting The Circuit defibrillator registration network.

Look out for the educational slides across the @WelshAmbulance Twitter account, and the Public Engagement and Community Involvement teams @WelshAmbPECI feed too, and get sharing to spread the life-saving advice.