The Rise Of The Defibrillators

The campaign for defibrillators to be placed in public places has gripped the public up and down the nation recently. The Mail launched the campaign after a 64 year old suffered a cardiac arrest whilst leaving the gym. For one of the campaigners June Thomas, this campaign is close to the heart. Her son Jack, died suddenly at the age of 15, and she has described defibrillators as ‘life saving equipment’

During an interview with BBC Radio Wales, Ms Thomas stated: "You've got laws in Wales that you have to have a fire extinguisher but you haven't got a law to have a defib.”

"You've got more chance of somebody having a heart attack than the building catching on fire."

It isn’t only Wales where the campaign is captivating the public and businesses alike. Wendover Parish Council currently has a planning application underway to turn an old phone box into one of the life saving machines, and a Hampshire business has donated a defibrillator to one of the local schools, many are hoping that these small steps will help in the long run and to boost the campaign even further.

The campaign has been publicly been backed by the former footballer Fabrice Muamba, MPS in the Burton and South Derbyshire area have voiced their agreements, as well as a host of schools and gyms.

Hopefully with all this public support, more and more people will realise how vital it is to get this system in place for the safety of everyone. If the campaign continues the way it is going, then we hope that defibrillators could become as common place as fire extinguishers are.

Linda Warren Google+