More communities, workplaces and sports clubs now have a public access defibrillator. That is good news: when someone has a cardiac arrest, early CPR and defibrillation give them the best chance of survival. But a defibrillator locked in a cupboard that nobody knows about cannot help anyone.
That is where The Circuit comes in.
What is The Circuit?
The Circuit is the national defibrillator network, developed by the British Heart Foundation with partners across the NHS and the resuscitation community. It maps defibrillators across the UK and makes that information available to NHS ambulance services.
When someone calls 999 about a suspected cardiac arrest, the call handler can see nearby registered defibrillators and direct a bystander to the closest one. For that to work, your defibrillator needs to be registered, and its details need to be accurate.
Why registration matters
Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces a person's chance of survival. Ambulance crews work hard to arrive quickly, but a defibrillator a short walk away can be used long before they get there.
Registering helps because:
- call handlers know your defibrillator exists and where it is
- they can see when it is available, for example if it is inside a building with opening hours
- the access code for a locked cabinet can be shared with the caller
- the network builds a clearer picture of where coverage is missing
Becoming a guardian
Each registered defibrillator has a guardian. This is usually a named person at the organisation that owns it, such as a parish council, a club secretary or a facilities manager. Guardians are responsible for keeping the record up to date and confirming that the device is ready to use.
A simple routine might include:
- Checking the status indicator on the device regularly.
- Making sure the pads and battery are within their expiry dates.
- Confirming the cabinet opens, and that any code is correct.
- Replacing pads promptly after the defibrillator has been used.
- Updating the record on The Circuit whenever anything changes.
A defibrillator is only as good as the last time someone checked it.
Confidence matters too
Defibrillators are designed to be used by anyone, and they give clear spoken instructions. Even so, people are far more likely to step forward if they have practised. Short awareness sessions on CPR and defibrillator use can make a real difference to how confident a community feels.
How we can help
Full Blue runs CPR and defibrillator awareness sessions for community groups, schools, clubs and workplaces, as well as full first aid courses. If you have recently installed a defibrillator, or you look after one, get in touch and we can help your community feel ready to use it.
