A free online resource has been created to help people in and around Leiston find their nearest defibrillator and learn potentially life-saving first aid skills.
Brity First Aid, which works in partnership with the British Red Cross and St John Ambulance on first aid training and education, has developed a dedicated page for the Leiston area showing the locations of local defibrillators: https://brity.co.uk/communities/leiston
The resource also includes a printable defibrillator information poster that can be displayed in community centres, churches, workplaces and on public noticeboards, helping more residents become familiar with where this important equipment can be found.
Alongside the location information, residents can access a short, free online course covering some of the essential steps to take during a cardiac emergency. This includes how to recognise a cardiac arrest, perform CPR and use a defibrillator.
Awareness of defibrillator locations remains an important issue. Research by St John Ambulance found that 52% of people surveyed did not know where their nearest defibrillator was.
Rapid action following a cardiac arrest can be crucial, and using a defibrillator within the first few minutes can significantly improve a person’s chances of survival.
Through the new resource, Brity First Aid hopes to work with local communities to increase awareness, give more people the confidence to respond in an emergency and ensure residents know where potentially life-saving equipment can be found.
Local organisations, businesses, churches and community groups are also encouraged to download and display the free poster and help spread the information throughout the Leiston area.
Download your FREE poster here: FREE Defibrillator location poster – Leiston