When someone has a cardiac arrest defibrillation needs to be prompt. Generally, for every minute that passes chances of survival decrease by 14 per cent. This does not mean that you should not summon help! Phone 999! Research shows that applying a controlled shock within five minutes of collapse provides the best possible outcome.

This indicates the need for defibrillators to be deployed strategically in areas of greatest need – areas where there is a high incidence of cardiac arrest and in areas where it is difficult for an ambulance to get there quickly, e.g. rural areas, poor road networks, traffic congestion or where large crowds gather.

Schemes such as ours, together with larger Schemes supported by the RLSS and St John's Ambulance to name but two, mean that there can be a much faster local response to patients in need of medical treatment with Oxygen and Defibrillation equipment. This Basic Life Support (BLS) can make the difference between life and death, and increase chances of survival once an Ambulance vehicle arrives with Advanced Life Saving Capabilities.           

One set of Basic equipment has been provided for our scheme by the East Midlands Ambulance Service and Metzeler of Bardon.

The Philips Heart Start FR2 ECG Defibrillator.

Oxygen Support

Oxygen therapy will assist patients with myocardial infarction and hypoxia (low blood oxygen levels) as well as other medical conditions.

More advanced equipment is used by our scheme members normally employed by EMAS whilst off duty.