More than 60% not confident enough to use defibrillators

A new cartoon is teaching people how to use one

Author: Frankie GoldingPublished 25th Oct 2023

61% of people in Britain say they're not confident enough to use a defibrillator in an emergency situation.

Resuscitation Council UK has released the stat - saying that early defibrillation within 3-5 minutes significantly increases the chances of someone in cardiac arrest surviving.

In light of this, the organisation has released an 80-second cartoon, that helps people learn 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.

Anne Oliver from Age UK told us it's easier than most people think:

"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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