More than 3,600 people are resuscitated by ambulance staff every year in the South West following cardiac arrest. Once in cardiac arrest, for every minute that passes a person loses a further 10% chance of survival.

A defibrillator is a device used to give an electric shock to help restart a patients heart when they are in cardiac arrest. When someone has a cardiac arrest, the heart stops and blood is no longer being pumped around their body. The longer they go without emergency life-support, the harder it is to restart their heart.

The South Western Ambulance Service Charity is supporting defibrillator placement, maintenance and training across the region. Increased public access to defibrillators results in more people receiving a life-saving shock as quickly as possible, giving them the best possible chance of survival.

Through our partnership with the South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust we are supporting the 'Saving Lives Together' and 'Restart a Heart' initiatives. These help to spread the word about the importance of learning CPR and show people how to do it.

Help us to provide lifesaving defibrillators and CPR training by making a donation today.