Recently we updated our first Aid training and were introduced to the benefits of, and indeed the need for, publicly accessible defibrillators. We were surprised at how easy they are to use but dismayed at how few of them are actually available for the public to use. With so many people passing away from cardiac arrest we believe that the public should have every opportunity to save a friend or family member in such an emergency.

Our aim is to fit a wall mounted temperature controlled external cabinet to the outside of The Red Berry Coffee House. This cabinet will protect the defibrillator from the elements and of course abuse. The cabinet will be fitted with a number code lock, the combination for the lock is provided by calling 999.

We hope that this will be the start of a process that sees many more defibrillators (AEDs) made publicly available. Any additional funds raised will be used to fund an additional machine for another part of Bangor.

What Is An AED?

AED, or automated external defibrillator, are small electronic devices that were designed to provide lifesaving defibrillation (electric shock to the heart) to victims of sudden cardiac arrest.

Unlike the defibrillators seen on medical TV shows, AEDs are small, lightweight and very easy to operate. They are about the size of a lunch box and have adhesive electrode pads that rescuers attach to the person's chest.

An AED is very simple to use yet houses the same sophisticated defibrillation technology relied on by emergency medical services personnel and physicians.

How Does An AED Work?

An AED is programmed to tell rescuers exactly what to do using voice and visual prompts. Rescuers attach adhesive electrode pads to the person's chest. Through these electrodes, the AED is designed to automatically analyze the electrical activity of the heart to determine if a "shockable" rhythm is present. An AED is so easy to use even untrained school children can operate one quickly and correctly.