Defibrillators have been strategically placed at various locations within London’s extensive transportation network.
A collaborative effort involving City Hall, the London Ambulance Service (LAS), and Transport for London (TfL) has successfully implemented this vital addition across all Underground and Overground stations, as well as most bus stations and piers.
In tandem with this deployment, a training video has been introduced to instruct individuals on administering chest compressions and effectively utilizing a defibrillator.
Notably, the LAS responded to nearly 13,000 cardiac arrests in the capital city last year.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan emphasized the significance of timely intervention in cardiac emergencies, stating, “For every minute that goes by without life-saving intervention like CPR and defibrillation, the chances of a person surviving cardiac arrest decrease by 10%. It’s important that Londoners not only have the kit but the skills to step in and assist when someone is having a cardiac arrest, which is why I’m proud that we have launched a short training video, which demonstrates how to perform chest compressions and use a defibrillator. This rollout and education drive will ensure people traveling in our city feel safe and confident that they will be helped in the case of an emergency.”
These strategically placed defibrillators now span all of London’s boroughs, accessible to the public in the event of a cardiac arrest. Additionally, a heart-shaped QR code can be found on each defibrillator within the TfL network, granting access to the informative training video.
The video draws on techniques from LAS’s London Lifesavers training, enabling individuals to gain essential lifesaving knowledge.
The LAS is also encouraging the public to engage with its London Lifesavers initiative, empowering them with the skills necessary to respond when someone experiences a cardiac arrest. Daniel Elkeles, the chief executive of LAS, emphasized the potential impact of learning these skills, saying, “With additional defibs across the capital from today, learning these skills could be the difference between life and death.”
In a proactive measure, the LAS has launched its London Lifesavers campaign within schools, starting with Year 8 students. Over 200 students from six schools will receive training in CPR techniques and defibrillator operation.
