This week at the surgery we have been refreshing our knowledge surrounding CPR and defibrillators, guided by a 30-year veteran of the West Midlands Ambulance Service. This information is of the utmost importance, not just to those of us who work within a healthcare setting but for everyone. You never know when a loved one, friend, colleague or member of the public may need your help.

“A defibrillator is a device that gives a high energy electric shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest. This high energy shock is called defibrillation, and it's an essential part in trying to save the life of someone who’s in cardiac arrest. A defibrillator may also be called a defib, an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) or a PAD (Public Access Defibrillator).” British Heart Foundation

“The Circuit” is the National Defibrillator Network that provides a national overview of where your nearest defibrillator can be found through their online database. When defibrillators are purchased by anyone, it is vital that they are registered with The Circuit to enable the 999 operators to advise you on where your nearest defibrillator is, and provide you with the access code for its container. Our nearest defibrillators in Southam are located at the following points:

• Fire Station Southam, Coventry Street, Southam

• Flying Fields, Daventry Road, Southam

• Southam Swimming Pool, Welsh Road, Southam

• Cyber-Weld Ltd Lion House, Welsh Road East, Southam

• St Wulfstan Surgery, Northfield Road, Southam

• The Tool Connection Ltd, Kineton Road, Southam

To find out more on the use of defibrillators and CPR, you can find an abundance of useful information at https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/how-to-save-a-life/defibrillators

To explore further defibrillator locations, please visit https://www.defibfinder.uk