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World Restart a Heart Day: Do You Know Where Your Nearest Defibrillator Is?

Writer: Leighton Chick
Leighton Chick
3 days ago
3 min read

Every second counts when someone's heart stops beating. Yet many of us walk past defibrillators every day without knowing where they are, how to find them, or how crucial they could be in an emergency.

As we mark World Restart a Heart Day, it's the perfect opportunity to ask yourself a simple question:

Do you know where your nearest defibrillator is?

The honest answer for many people is no. But spending just a few minutes finding out today could help save a life tomorrow.


Why Defibrillators Matter

A cardiac arrest is one of the most serious medical emergencies that can occur. Unlike a heart attack, where the heart is still beating, a cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively. Without immediate action, survival chances fall rapidly.

Early CPR and the use of a defibrillator can dramatically improve a person's chances of survival. World Restart a Heart Day exists to raise awareness of bystander CPR and to encourage more people to feel confident taking action in those critical moments. Immediate CPR and early defibrillation can save lives before emergency services arrive.


Find Your Nearest Defibrillator Today

One of the easiest things you can do right now is find out where your nearest publicly accessible defibrillator is located.

The DefibFinder UK website allows you to enter your postcode and locate nearby defibrillators. The platform is designed to help people familiarise themselves with local defibrillator locations before an emergency happens. It uses data from The Circuit, the national defibrillator network used by UK ambulance services.



A few minutes spent checking today could save precious minutes in an emergency.


What To Do If Someone Isn't Breathing


Seeing someone collapse can be frightening, but knowing a few simple steps can make all the difference.


1. Check for Danger

  • Make sure the area is safe for both you and the casualty.

2. Check Their Response

  • Gently shake their shoulders and ask loudly: "Can you hear me?"

  • If there is no response, move to the next step.

3. Check Their Breathing

  • Open the airway by tilting the head back and lifting the chin.

  • Look, listen, and feel for normal breathing for no more than 10 seconds.

  • If they are not breathing normally, or are only gasping, treat it as a cardiac arrest.

4. Call 999 Immediately

  • Put your phone on speaker if possible.

  • The call handler will guide you through exactly what to do and can direct someone to the nearest registered defibrillator.

5. Start CPR

  • Place the heel of your hand in the centre of the chest, place your other hand on top, and push hard and fast.

  • Aim for approximately 100 to 120 compressions per minute.

  • Do not stop unless:

    Emergency services take over.

    A defibrillator is ready to use.

    The person starts breathing normally.

    You become physically unable to continue.

6. Use a Defibrillator as Soon as One Arrives

  • Don't be afraid of using a defibrillator.

  • Modern public-access defibrillators give clear spoken instructions and will only deliver a shock if it is needed. They are designed to be used by members of the public, even with no previous training.


Doing Something Is Better Than Doing Nothing


One of the biggest barriers in emergencies is fear:

"What if I get it wrong?"

The reality is that someone in cardiac arrest urgently needs help. Doing nothing guarantees that their condition will not improve. Taking action, calling 999, starting CPR, and using a defibrillator if available gives them a chance.

You do not need to be a healthcare professional. You do not need a first aid qualification. You simply need the confidence to act.


A Challenge for CWU North Anglia Branch Members


Today, take five minutes to:

✅ Visit DefibFinder UK

✅ Enter your home postcode

✅ Enter your workplace postcode

✅ Make a note of your nearest defibrillator locations

✅ Share the information with your colleagues, friends, and family


You may never need this knowledge but if the day comes when someone collapses in front of you, knowing where the nearest defibrillator is could be the difference between life and death.


This World Restart a Heart Day, let's all take a simple step that could help save a life.


Because when it comes to cardiac arrest, doing something is always better than doing nothing. ❤️

 
 
 

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