When someone’s life hangs in the balance every second is crucial. In fact, for every passing minute, someone experiencing cardiac arrest loses 10% of their survival chances. This is why defibrillators need to be made accessible and visible to all members of staff.  Can you really afford to keep it under lock and key?

Heathrow airport has been recognised as the safest place in London to suffer cardiac arrest. With 180 defibrillators and 100 staff trained in first aid, the 70 million passengers that pass through Heathrow airport each year should feel confident that they are in safe hands. However, the same cannot be said for the aircraft. 

We’ve all heard it. That dreadful, infinite beep of somebody ‘flat-lining’ on the television, their desperate family sobbing whilst wrestling with hospital staff to be at their side,  a flurry of people entering and placing pads on the patient’s chest “Shocking in 3 2 1... CLEAR.” The jolt of the patient’s body as they are miraculously brought back to life.

It has been a tragic week in the world of sport after sport persons Gregory Mertens and Danny Jones both lost their lives after suffering unexpected cardiac arrest. Sometimes heart defects can go undetected and without warning can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. It can happen to anyone, at any age.