Defibrillator fear factor needs to end, believes heart attack survivor
A study found the devices were used in just 10 per cent of cardiac arrests in the East
A man whose life was saved thanks to a defibrillator believes more people should be less afraid of using them when needed.
Rob Skoulding, former mayor of March, was brought back to life thanks to CPR and a defibrillator when he suffered a heart attack two years ago.
A study funded by the East of England Cardiac Network found that in the east, the devices were used in 10 per cent of cardiac arrests outside of hospital between April and September last year.
“People are scared to use them,” Rob said.
“They have to remember it will not work on a healthy heart so anything they do is good.
“I do think this should be taught in schools so for children, it becomes second nature to them, like riding a bike.”
First aid learning not stopping low uptake in defibs
Rob was in Peterborough when he needed CPR from his wife Laura, before a defibrillator and further help from paramedics kept him alive.
During his time as mayor, Rob led a push to install defibrillators in March and there are now 41 devices in the town.
He believes people may be fearful when thinking about using a defib and has a message for those who face a similar situation to his.
“That’s the key, to teach people how to use them so they are not scared so they can say whatever we will be doing is going to be for the good of the patient,” he said.
“My message is if you’re in that situation, please go and get a defib and learn to do CPR. It’s easy and there’s loads of places that will teach you.”
"There is a lot of education that needs to take place"
The study found that 1,649 cardiac arrests occurred in the East of England in the six-month period of April to September.
Public access defibrillators were available within 500 metres of the cardiac arrest in 1,302 cases, but only used in 132 of them.
Researchers in the study, which include Anglia Ruskin University, concluded that there are fewer defibrillators in more deprived areas, compared to the most affluent.
Deborah Slator is the founder of charity Defibrillators For All, which since 2013 has provided 61 devices in Whittlesey and surrounding villages.
“If we look outside of Whittlesey, I think there is a lot of education that needs to take place,” she said.
“We have to step outside of the thinking we’re taking work away from our own business and think what’s the benefit of doing this and this is something everybody needs to know.”
With state-funded schools required to teach first aid and CPR, Deborah feels this is a positive step.
But she believes more reassurance on the safety of using defibrillators will help change how often they are used in emergency situations.
“It’s about educating people, letting people know exactly what they are and how safe they are to use,” Deborah added.
“If somebody’s not breathing, they’re dead and whatever you do you cannot make them ‘deader’; that word does not exist, so people should not be afraid.”