The Welsh Ambulance Service have launched a campaign called ‘Defibuary’ which is calling on people to help save lives by knowing where their nearest defibrillator is located.

Every year in Wales 8,000 people suffer sudden cardiac arrest, a patient’s chance of surviving an out of hospital cardiac arrest decreases by an estimated 10 per cent with every passing minute without intervention, such as Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation.

Throughout February the service is encouraging people to take a selfie with their nearest defibrillator and send details of its location via Twitter to @WelshAmbPIH using the hashtag #Defibuary.

During last year’s campaign, a total of 307 pictures were submitted and 102 new locations identified across Wales. Those who take part in Defibuary could win a number of fantastic prizes, including defibrillators and defibrillator training for your community, four complimentary tour tickets for the Principality Stadium in Cardiff and two tickets for a T20 group home match at the SSE SWALEC Stadium.

Defibrillators in Bangor

Last year members of the Penrhyn Parkrun club in Bangor sent in more than 100 pictures and identified more than 40 new locations.

They won a new defibrillator which has been positioned at Penrhyn Castle, where the club begins their weekly 5km run.

There are numerous defibrillators in Bangor including, DW Sports Fitness, Coleg Menai, Tesco Extra Bangor, Bodnant Surgery, Canolfan Brailsford, Asda, Pontio, Brigantia building, Bangor Uni, Bangor Police station, Treborth Athletics Track, Bangor Swimming Pool, Bangor Fire Station and Bangor Rugby Club.

To find out the location of your nearest defibrillator please visit http://bit.ly/DefibLocations

Dr Brendan Lloyd, Medical Director for the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “When someone goes into cardiac arrest, early defibrillation is a crucial part of the chain of survival.

“In fact there are a number of people in Wales who are alive today thanks to the quick-thinking actions of bystanders in using a nearby defibrillator.

“We have been working with a range of healthcare professionals and colleagues to ensure community defibrillators are registered on our computer system.

“This enables our call takers to advise callers how to retrieve lifesaving equipment quickly and save lives.

“During Defibuary we’re encouraging everyone to familiarise themselves with where they can find the closest piece of lifesaving equipment available to them. Hopefully you will never need to use it, but it really could make all the difference.”

Defibrillator FAQs

What is a cardiac arrest?

A cardiac arrest is when your heart suddenly stops pumping blood round your body, usually because of a problem with electrical signals. This causes you to fall unconscious and stop breathing.

What should I do if I witness someone having one?

If you come across someone who’s having a cardiac arrest, it’s vital to call 999 and start CPR. Then the call taker will tell you if there is a defibrillator nearby.

What is a defibrillator?

A defibrillator is a device that gives an electric shock to the heart through the chest wall to someone who is in cardiac arrest. The chances of survival are greatly increased when a defibrillator is applied.

Do I need training to use one?

Defibrillators are designed to be used by anyone whether they have received training or not. Once the defibrillator is in position, all you have to do is follow the spoken instructions. Many defibrillators will also have diagrams or a screen to help you.

Can I harm someone using a defibrillator?

It’s extremely unlikely. A defibrillator will analyse the heart’s electrical rhythm and only gives a shock if it detects a rhythm that will respond. In fact, the cost of not using one could be far higher.

Nia takes a selfie with a Defibrillator at the athletics track in Treborth, Bangor, raising awareness and hoping to win a Defib for Llandegfan.