Lancashire locals are being asked to learn how to use defibrillators

Its revealed more than 60% of people in the UK aren't confident enough to use one

Author: Frankie GoldingPublished 25th Oct 2023

There are fresh calls for more people in Lancashire to learn how to use defibrillators, as its revealed more than 60% of people in the country aren't confident enough to use one.

This is coming from Resuscitation Council UK who say that early defibrillation within 3-5 minutes significantly increases the chances of someone in cardiac arrest surviving.

In light of this, the organisation have released a 80 second cartoon animation, that aims to teach people how to use these life-saving devices.

This involves an interactive defibrillator called 'Defib Dani' guiding the audience through having to use the equipment in a supermarket setting.

Support for increasing the amount of people confident enough to use these devices has come in locally from AGE UK Lancashire.

This charity, who support older people locally with a wide-range of issues, fundraised to install defibrillators in some of their bases last year.

Anne Oliver from their team tells us:

"They are very simple to use and the machine tells you exactly what to do at every stage so you can't make a mistake using them.

"If the heart doesn't need to be restarted the defibrillator will not give a charge so you can't possibly do anything wrong, I think that's a really important message.

"The chances of survival rise from 6% to 74% if you use a defibrillator.

"If you can actually have the confidence to have a go, that difference between 6% and 74% is just massive isn't it?

"You could help save a life."

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