Defibrillators look set to be rolled out in Suffolk schools
The move will 'save more lives' according to first aid experts
The Government looks set to announce that defibrillators will be sent to state-funded schools in Suffolk and across the country.
The plan intends to make sure every school in the country has one by the end of the academic year to help prevent tragedies.
Jayne Biggs set up the charity 'Heart 2 Heart' six years ago - after a defibrillator saved her seven-year-old daughter's life.
She told us it's so important where these are placed:
"Some village halls are only open three times a week, meaning these defibrillators are locked up behind closed doors.
"They should be accessible - I know of eight on the outside of people's houses! In Covid times, these were vital because all these places were locked up for months and there were thousands of defibs behind closed doors that could have been used."
She welcomes the idea, but says it's been a long time coming: "I can honestly say that every day I have a defib activated on 999.
"It doesn't mean it's gone out but someone's dialled 999 and they've been sent to that location due to the wait for ambulances - therefore it's even more important now that they're outside and accessible 24/7."
The government-funded move is being hailed as a "great" one by first aid expert, who says more defibs in the community 'will save lives.'
First-aid volunteer, Barbara Crellin MBE, said:
"The news of more provision is great. Every new machine is a potential life-saver so the more we get out there in schools, clubs and the community, the better.
"...even better news would be if they could all go in a cabinet and provide community access.
"In an ideal world, no one should ever be more than 500 metres from a defib because that actually means that the person fetching it has to go one kilometre, which is a long way in a panicked situation."
'Easy to use'
Barbara hopes some training would be provided to students as the equipment can be daunting, but added that defibs are actually easy to use:
"Presumably there's no finance to train the children. It's actually quite easy once you switch it on, but training just gives you that familiarity and confidence to know what you're doing.
"...once you switch it on, it talks you through everything you need to do.
"The prime thing to remember is: always dial 999, get on with the CPR, and if there's someone else there - get them to go for the defib. Ambulance control will give you the code on the cabinet."