The Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is specially designed for people with no medical background.
We are lucky enough to have access to three Defibs or AED – call 999 before attempting to access it!
The are located at
1) Village Hall (left of entrance), Stondon
2) Doctors Surgery, Stondon
3) Outside Benedicts, Henlow
Please note that the defib Outside Benedicts is supported by Henlow Parish Council.
The access code to the box will be given by the Ambulance Service Control room when a caller dials 999 and reports a possible cardiac arrest. They will also direct you to the nearest accessible working unit.
Each machine is registered with the ambulance service and the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. A monthly check is made on the machine by a local resident who then passes the information onto the Community HeartBeat Trust (CHT).
Community HeartBeat Trust is a registered charity and works with the ambulance service to provide community awareness sessions.
However, the UK Resuscitation Council guidelines indicate that community defibrillators should be able to be used by members of the public with or without formal training. This is because the equipment is very easy to be used, and when you call 999, the ambulance service operator will stay on the telephone to assist you. The equipment is also designed to talk to you and tell you what to do. You cannot make a mistake when using the defibrillator – just follow the instructions being given.
For more information please contact the Charity via the web site www.communityheartbeat.org.uk or look up a Defib here https://www.nddb.uk/
One other key site for location is https://www.thecircuit.uk/ and https://www.defibfinder.uk/
The Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is specially designed for people with no medical background.
When used it provides voice commands and screen messages and guides the user step-by-step through the process and will only allow it to shock a ‘shockable’ heart rhythm.
What is a Stroke and how would I know?
From http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Stroke/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Introduction
A stroke is a serious, life-threatening medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off.
Strokes are a medical emergency and urgent treatment is essential because the sooner a person receives treatment for a stroke, the less damage is likely to happen.
If you suspect that you or someone else is having a stroke, phone 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance.
Signs and symptoms
The main symptoms of stroke can be remembered with the word FAST: Face-Arms-Speech-Time.
- Face – the face may have dropped on one side, the person may not be able to smile or their mouth or eye may have dropped.
- Arms – the person with suspected stroke may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of arm weakness or numbness in one arm.
- Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake.
- Time – it is time to dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms.
Read more about the symptoms of a stroke.
What is an AED?
https://www.communityheartbeat.org.uk/defibrillators
The access code to the box will be given by the Ambulance Service Control room when a caller dials 999 and reports a possible cardiac arrest.