Popping Up In Public: Public Access AEDs in Public Places

The amount of public access AEDs being placed for use in public is on the rise. Where are people storing them you ask? Well, in one instance, a defibrillator was placed in an old red phone box. Another now resides in a notice board for the rural community. They’re popping up everywhere!

Our campaign showcases just how many AEDs are appearing in public places, all over the world. More and more places are becoming Heart Safe locations, tackling the statistics of sudden cardiac arrest in public.

Is It Important?

There is one simple answer to that: YES. Defibrillation is the only definitive treatment for cardiac arrest, meaning if one is available for use, the percentage of survival rockets from 6%-74%! Big jump right? The more that’s out there, the better.

Feeling Notified

Recently, in Dervock, Northern Ireland, the installation of a public notice board fitted with a defibrillator has made online news. The installation of both resources was thanks to funding from staff and charity funding. The location of this village is described and vulnerable and isolated, and with ambulance response rates in correlation to treatment time, this vital piece of kit will allow that bit more of security for the community along with knowing 14 people are trained to use the AED.

Red Phone Box

Thanks to BT, their 3,000th ‘Adopt a Kiosk’ phone box has been converted into a home for a public access AED. With the continual growth of Smartphone’s and the decline in use of public payphones, BT paid for the defibrillation equipment to give the phone box a new, purposeful use. Located in Loweswater, Cumbria the AED is located in a heated steel cap handled yellow box for safe keeping. As well as a home for a defibrillator, kiosks have gone on to be weird and wonderful homes for many things.

Shopping Safely

Tesco supermarkets are rolling out a massive £1million worth of defibrillation equipment in 900 stores nationwide. The investment will be placing the AEDs in communities who may not necessarily have access to one and has been backed by the British Heart Foundation who are calling for more public access defibrillators be placed in public locations. All staff will be trained to use the AED, which will be in over 700 Tesco Extra stores and over 150 Tesco Metro stores. So when you’re doing your weekly shop or just popping in for the odd ingredient, you’ll be Heart Safe during your shop.

Can you have one?

Of course you can! Anyone can have a defibrillator. Find out more about defibrillators here. Alternatively, you can call one of our team on 0845 071 0830 or by filling out a contact form and a member of the team and they’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

defibshop are committed to equipping everyone with the skills and knowledge to save a life. Speak to one of our Product Specialists on 0161 776 7422 or fill out our Contact Form.