Schools urged to ensure defibrillators are accessible during summer

With the summer holidays coming up, the South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) is urging schools and colleges to double-check that their defibrillators are listed accurately.

SCAS, covering Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Hampshire, highlighted the impact of altered opening hours and site closures during holidays on the accessibility of these critical devices.

Not updating changes on The Circuit national network could mislead emergency responders, directing people to an unavailable defibrillator during a cardiac emergency.

Defibrillators are vital as they deliver a high-energy electric shock to the heart, reviving its normal rhythm.

The Circuit connects registered public defibrillators directly to NHS ambulance services.

SCAS is calling on educational institutions to review their defibrillator details and update any temporary access adjustments before the end of term.

Registering a defibrillator on The Circuit only takes about five minutes, according to the service.

Even if a defibrillator remains accessible throughout the holidays, guardians are urged to verify the accuracy of the information on The Circuit.

Once registered, the defibrillator can appear on ambulance service systems in less than a minute, making it available to 999 call takers helping someone during a cardiac arrest.

Guides for updating and registering details on The Circuit are available on the SCAS website.

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