Hull Action for Neighbourhood Defibrillators

Cardiac arrests can happen to anyone at any time and action taken in the first few minutes afterwards can make a huge difference to someone’s chances of survival.  Research shows that the chance of survival following the onset of a cardiac arrest decreases by 7–10% for every minute of delay in commencing treatment. 

In Hull the HANDS (Hull Action for Neighbourhood Defibrillators) Partnership is seeking support to develop the network of 24/7 Community Accessible Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs or ‘defibrillators’) throughout our City for anyone to access in a life-or-death situation.

A defibrillator is a device that is placed externally on the body to deliver an electric shock to restart the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest.  The device will only discharge an electric shock if the heart has stopped.  This high energy shock is called defibrillation, and it's an essential part in trying to save the life of someone who's in cardiac arrest.

Why do we need more defibrillators?

Cardiac arrest can affect people of any age and without warning.  To help someone who is in cardiac arrest survive, a defibrillator needs to be found as quickly as possible. For every minute it takes for the defibrillator to reach someone and deliver a shock, their chances of survival are reduced significantly.  Defibrillators have the potential to save the lives of your employees and visitors in addition to the wider community, with latest research showing that accessing these devices within 3-5 minutes of a cardiac arrest increases the chance of survival by over 40%.

In 2021, emergency medical services attempted to resuscitate approximately 32,000 cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in England.  Overall survival rates vary across the country, but on average less than one in ten people survive to go home from hospital following a cardiac arrest.  However, survival rates as high as 70% have been reported where cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation are delivered promptly.  This is why the HANDS partnership seeks the support of the business community in Hull in installing 24/7 community accessible defibrillators as part of their first aid equipment

Modern defibrillators are simple and safe to operate and use.  Once attached, the defibrillator will automatically analyse the individual’s heart rhythm and, if required, apply a shock to restart it or advise that CPR should be continued.  You cannot harm an individual by using a defib; the machine will not issue an electric shock if a heartbeat is detected.  All AED units will provide clear step by step instructions on what you need to do to help save the life of someone in cardiac arrest. 

The HANDS Partnership seeks the support of the local business community to plug the gaps, giving your business and local communities access to this vitally important first-aid equipment.  The Partnership consists of Hull City Council, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Help for Health, Humberside Fire & Rescue Solutions, The Oliver King Foundation and Connexin.

 Can you HELP?

• Do you currently have a defibrillator within your premises? Would you be willing to relocate this to a secure external cabinet that could be accessed 24/7 by ALL?  If so, the partnership would like to hear from you.
• Would you be willing to locate/install a defibrillator at your premise? If yes, the partnership would like to hear from you.
• If you have a defibrillator, is it registered on ‘The Circuit’: the national defibrillator network database? If not, please go to https://www.thecircuit.uk/ to register the unit.

What are responsibilities for hosting a Defibrillator?

In agreeing to being a Guardian of a 24/7 defibrillator, you would commit to:

• Installing a defibrillator in an external cabinet unit in a 24/7 community accessible location on the premises
• Provide a permanent connection to a 240v supply to provide power to the external cabinet unit. Power supply for heating the Cabinet generally uses around £10 of electricity a year
• Registering the cabinet/defibrillator with the ‘The Circuit’ – the national defibrillator network database (thecircuit.uk )
• As the Guardian of the unit, be the named contact with YAS, reporting at the earliest opportunity, if the unit is off-line or unavailable for use
• Conduct a weekly visual examination of the cabinet and Defibrillator to ensure all in working order
• Undertake and organise (as required) training in the use and maintenance of the unit.

The HANDS Partnership can offer advice and guidance with all the above to make it as easy for businesses as possible in providing lifesaving equipment.

What next

Contact the Hull City Council’s Neighbourhoods team via email Neighbourhood.Admin@hullcc.gov.uk to register your interest.  You will receive an expression of interest form with additional information on the maintenance and longer-term commitments of hosting an AED. This will include potential suppliers and funders (if required).