Thanks to donations from AEDdonate and the Tesco Bags of Help Scheme, Ossett United Football Club in West Yorkshire now have a portable defibrillator to take with them on matchdays to keep their team, and any spectators in the vicinity, safe in the event of a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).
A defibrillator is a device that gives a high-energy electric shock to the heart through the chest wall to someone who is in cardiac arrest.
A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time and following the four steps in the chain of survival can help to increase the patients chances of survival;
Call 999
Commence CPR
Early Defibrillation
Early Advanced Life Support
Defibrillators are easy to use and come with either verbal or visual step by step instructions. The machines are designed to be used by anyone with or without prior training. Anyone needing a defibrillator should call 999 in the first instance and the call handler will advise where the nearest one is and how to access it. If effective CPR and a defibrillator can be applied within the first 3-5 minutes of collapse the chances of survival for the victim can increase from 6%-74%. Without immediate treatment, 90%-95% of patients will die.
If you wish to apply for funding for a defibrillator for your community, please email info@aeddonate.org.uk or call 01785 472224.