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."

Hear all the latest news from across Ayrshire on the hour, every hour, at West FM. Listen on FM, via our West FM app, on your DAB radio, online at WESTFM.co.uk, or say ‘Play WEST FM’ on your Smart Speaker.