Emergency Use Defibrillators

Thanks to the efforts of 'Heartbeat Haddenham' and a number of other health conscious organisations, Haddenham is blessed with six publicly accessible automated defibrillators.

Defibrillators are used to help support the life of individuals who have suffered a cardiac arrest — in other words, when the heart has stopped beating in its normal co-ordinated manner. Someone who has suffered a cardiac arrest will be unresponsive, not moving and not breathing normally. This situation may occur as a result of a heart attack, but other causes are possible.

Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) provide the means for untrained persons to help those who appear to have suffered a heart attack. Clear instructions are provided with the machines, and the electronic voice will give additional support — even stating whether or not an 'electrical shock', using the pads that are part of the kit, is actually necessary, or whether standard CPR should be maintained instead.

If you are not first aid trained, you may wish to take a look at the attached slide set which offers a reminder of the support you can offer to someone who has collapsed.

Or for a more practical illustration, we recommend viewing a CPR video: there's a good one here.

Richard Kendall of Heartbeat Haddenham said: "We are grateful to the village groups and individuals who have made donations that have allowed us to purchase defibrillators — and the cabinets to house them — to meet the need."

"We hope that providing defibrillators at busy locations will increase the chance of immediate support if anybody suffers a cardiac arrest in Haddenham."

Tony Warris of Heartbeat Haddenham added: "Thanks to generous funding from a number of organisations, community groups and individuals there are now six publicly accessible defibrillators in Haddenham. We hope to be able to provide one more to improve coverage of the village as funds permit."