Cornish mum whose son was saved by a defibrillator says everyone should feel confident using one
New research has found that more than half of people in the UK aren't confident enough to use a defib
Last updated 26th Oct 2023
A mum from Cornwall whose son was saved by a defibrillator tells us why everyone should feel confident using one.
Donna Richards' son Finlay suffered a cardiac arrest at school in 2021, but thanks to a defib at the school, he survived.
It comes as new research by Resuscitation Council UK has found that 61% of people say they are not confident enough to use a defibrillator.
The survey was carried out online by Opinion Matters throughout this month, and included responses from 2,000 UK residents aged 16 and over.
Donna tells us that the devices are nothing to worry about: "We've had conversations with consultants about the defib and all they've said to us is that it gives you all the instructions, tells you step by step what to do, and where to place it on the person.
"You can't do it wrong. If it's the wrong place it won't work, it won't shock and they said you can do more damage by not having a go because potentially then that person would lose their life."
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest affect around 80,000 patients per year in the UK, and in cases where defibrillation is required, acting within 3-5 minutes significantly increases the chances of survival.
Donna adds: "Without the defib, and that's all anybody has ever said, Finlay wouldn't be here.
"If ever you're in a situation that you've found somebody who's collapsed and they needed a defib - from somebody who knows what it means - just have a go."
Cornwall Air Ambulance attended over 330 patients in cardiac arrest last year. They say it's one of the "most serious" type of incidents they deal with.
Thomas Hennessy-Jones, a Critical Care Paramedic for the charity, said: "The patients that have the best chance or survival, are the ones where members of the community have come together to do CPR, to call the ambulance service early and follow the ambulance service's instruction to find a defib and use it.
"I can understand why people may feel that they're not confident in using a defibrillator, most people thankfully haven't experienced a member of their family or a member of the community in cardiac arrest and haven't had the need to do CPR or find and use a defibrillator.
"Our message is that a defibrillator is a really simple device to use. They're fully automated, so once you follow the instructions, which are very clearly labelled on the defib itself, the defib will then do all the work."
A new campaign that aims to give people the confidence to use a defibrillator has been launched by Resuscitation Council UK.
The importance of quick action during a cardiac emergency is highlighted in a new animation, which aims to empower everyone to be a potential lifesaver.
In the event of an emergency, you can find your nearest defibrillator via DefibFinder.uk.
Finlay's story
Cornwall Air Ambulance say Finlay suffered a cardiac arrest due to a previously unknown heart condition while at Penrice Academy on 9 December 2021.
Due to the quick actions of staff, his life was saved thanks to the school’s defibrillator – which brought him extra time for the paramedics to arrive on scene.
Cornwall Air Ambulance critical care paramedics Thomas Hennessy-Jones and Louise Lamble were tasked to the incident, and were able to transfer him to Royal Cornwall Hospital for further care. There, it was found Finlay had a genetic condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Since his medical episode, Finlay has been fitted with a cardio implant. His family also previously launched a campaign calling for all UK schools to install defibrillators, so other lives can potentially be saved.