Where is the best place to install a defibrillator?

The decision to buy a defibrillator (AED) for your workplace, school, sports club or organisation is a positive step towards being better prepared for a cardiac emergency.

But now that it’s here, there’s another important question to answer:

Where is the best place to install a defibrillator?

It's surprisingly common for us to visit organisations to deliver training and discover that their new defibrillator is still sitting in its original box!

That's not where you want it to be when someone needs it.

It can also be tempting to put it somewhere convenient, such as an office or first aid room. However, the most important consideration isn’t convenience – it’s how quickly someone can get the defibrillator to a person experiencing a cardiac arrest.

Around 115,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests are reported to ambulance services in the UK every year. When a cardiac arrest occurs, every second counts.

Here’s our guide on what to consider when siting your defibrillator.

Don’t hide your defibrillator away

A defibrillator isn’t much use if nobody knows where it is.

Avoid putting your defibrillator in an out-of-the-way location simply because there happens to be a convenient space available.

Instead, think about where a cardiac arrest is most likely to happen and how quickly someone could retrieve the defibrillator in an emergency situation.

The ideal location should be:

• Easy to see

• Easy to reach

• Clearly signposted

• Accessible, without unnecessary barriers

• Known to staff, visitors and other people using the premises

• Available whenever the building or site is in use

How quickly can someone retrieve your defibrillator?

Time is critical during a cardiac arrest.

Resuscitation Council UK guidance emphasises that a defibrillator should be located, retrieved and used as early as possible. Defibrillation within the first few minutes can significantly improve the chances of survival.

A useful exercise is to time how long it takes someone to retrieve your defibrillator and reach different areas of your premises.

Don't simply walk there at a leisurely pace. Think about what could happen during a real emergency.

Consider:

Stress: A cardiac arrest is frightening, and people may not think or move as efficiently as they normally would.

People: Could crowds, queues or busy corridors slow someone down?

Distance: How far does someone need to travel to collect the defibrillator?

Directions: Would a visitor or new member of staff know where to find it?

Access: Are there doors, stairs, lifts or other obstacles between the defibrillator and the areas where it may be needed?

Ideally, the defibrillator should be retrieved and ready for use within a maximum of 2-3 minutes.

Size and layout of your premises

There isn't a single location that is right for every organisation.

A small office may only need one defibrillator in a central, easily accessible location.

For example, putting a defibrillator at the front entrance of a large building might seem sensible, but it could take valuable time to retrieve it if someone suffers a cardiac arrest at the opposite end of the premises.

A large workplace, school, leisure centre or sports facility may need to consider whether one defibrillator provides adequate coverage.

If your site is particularly large or spread across several buildings or areas, it may be worth considering whether more than one defibrillator is appropriate.

What could prevent someone reaching your defibrillator?

When deciding where to install a defibrillator, look for anything that could delay access.

These barriers might include:

• Locked doors

• Keypad, fob or coded access

• Staircases

• Lifts

• Long corridors

• Busy areas

• Restricted-access offices

• Areas that aren't accessible outside normal working hours

• The defibrillator being out of reach for wheelchair users

Inside or outside?

For many workplaces, an indoor location may be the most practical option.

However, for organisations such as schools, sports clubs, leisure facilities and businesses with large outdoor areas, or organisations where activities primarily take place outdoors, an external defibrillator cabinet may be worth considering.

If you install a defibrillator outside, make sure the cabinet and defibrillator are suitable for the conditions in which they will be kept. Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding temperature, weather protection and storage.

Make sure everyone knows where the defibrillator is

Buying a defibrillator is only part of the process - people need to know where to find it.

Display clear, recognisable signage and make sure staff are aware of its location.

Consider including the defibrillator's location as part of your staff induction and first aid arrangements and periodically remind staff where it is located.

Don't forget about maintenance

Once you've installed your defibrillator, don't simply forget about it.

Your defibrillator needs to be ready to use at any time.

Regular checks should include things such as:

• Checking the defibrillator is present and accessible

• Checking the battery status

• Checking the expiry date of the pads

• Checking that the equipment hasn't been damaged

• Checking that any required accessories are present

• Making sure the defibrillator hasn't developed a fault

We’ve written a blog and there's also a Youtube video of lead instructor Graham showing you how quick and easy a maintenance check can be.

Assign someone responsibility for carrying out regular checks and make sure there is a clear process for replacing consumables and dealing with faults.

Consider some training

Defibrillators are designed to be used by members of the public and provide audible and/or visual instructions to guide the user through the process.

However, knowing that you can use a Defibrillator and feeling confident enough to use one in a real emergency aren't necessarily the same thing.

A sudden cardiac arrest is a frightening situation. Even someone who knows that a defibrillator is designed to be easy to use may hesitate when faced with a real emergency.

Defibrillator training gives people the opportunity to:

• See how a defibrillator works

• Practise using a training defibrillator

• Understand when a defibrillator should be used

• Gain confidence in following the defibillator's instructions

• Ask any questions to a qualified, experienced instructor

• Practise working as part of a team during a cardiac arrest

At Help! First Aid Training, we provide Defibrillator Competent User training for organisations across County Durham and the North-East.

Training can be delivered at our training facility at Shildon Business Centre or at your workplace, making it easy to train your team using a practical, hands-on approach.

We cover Darlington to Durham, Bishop Auckland to Barnard Castle, Newton Aycliffe to Newcastle and everywhere in between.

Get in touch to find out more about defibrillators, defibrillator training or to request a quote.

Where should you install your defibrillator? The key points

Make it visible. Don't hide it away.

Make it accessible. Avoid unnecessary barriers such as locked doors.

Think about time. Consider how quickly someone can retrieve the DEFIBRILLATOR and get it to a casualty.

Think about your premises. The best location will depend on the size and layout of your workplace or site.

Make sure people know where it is. Clear signage and staff awareness are essential.

Keep it ready. Check the defibrillator regularly and replace batteries and pads when necessary.

Consider defibrillator training for your organisation.