Heatwave surge sees defibrillator usage increase by 118% in South Central region
SCAS says it underlines the importance of regularly maintaining publicly accessible defibrillators
Defibrillator usage in the South Central region increased by 118% during the recent heatwave, according to the South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS).
This rise in utilisation was almost four times higher than the 31% increase recorded nationally during late June, when the heatwave led to more frequent cardiac arrest incidents.
SCAS is urging guardians of publicly accessible defibrillators across Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Hampshire and Buckinghamshire - to conduct regular maintenance checks to ensure devices are fully operational.
The region is currently experiencing its third heatwave of the summer, with temperatures reaching the mid-30s Celsius.
David Hamer, Community Engagement Manager at SCAS, highlighted the importance of checking the devices.
"This surge of defibrillator deployment during the last heatwave shows how vital the work of defibrillator guardians is, so please, please help us and check your defib today if you’ve not done it for a while," Hamer said.
Jack Ansell, another Community Engagement Manager at SCAS, emphasised the need for registration on The Circuit.
"Please also check that your defibrillator is registered on The Circuit – it only takes five minutes and if it’s not registered, our emergency call takers won’t know it’s there if a cardiac emergency happens nearby," Ansell said.
AEDs are straightforward to use and guide users through the process, providing life-saving shocks only when necessary.