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No, a defibrillator does not simply restart a completely stopped heart. An automated external defibrillator (AED) analyses the electrical activity of the heart and delivers a shock only when it detects a heart rhythm that can benefit from defibrillation. The shock is designed to interrupt certain dangerous abnormal electrical rhythms, giving the heart's normal electrical activity an opportunity to resume. If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 999, start CPR and use an AED a …

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is an emergency procedure used when someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, which may indicate cardiac arrest. CPR uses repeated chest compressions to help keep blood circulating to the brain and other vital organs while emergency medical help and a defibrillator are on the way. Anyone can learn CPR, and acting quickly can make a significant difference to a person's chance of survival. What Does CPR Stand For? CPR stands for: Cardiopul …

COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, commonly known as the COSHH Regulations, require employers to assess and control exposure to substances that could cause ill health in the workplace. Hazardous substances are not limited to obvious industrial chemicals. They can include cleaning products, paints, dusts, fumes, vapours, gases, mists and biological agents that employees may encounter as part of their work. Un …

A defibrillator should be checked regularly to make sure it is emergency ready. There is no single checking frequency that applies to every AED in every setting, so you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and any requirements that apply to your organisation. For many workplaces, schools and community defibrillators, carrying out a simple visual check every week is a practical way to identify problems such as expired pads, a low battery, damage or a warning on the AED statu …

Defibrillators are an essential part of the emergency response to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, the UK does not publish a single national figure for “lives saved by defibrillators alone”, because survival depends on multiple linked steps: early recognition, calling 999, immediate CPR, early defibrillation (by a public AED and/or ambulance crews), and subsequent hospital care. Instead, the most reliable way to describe the impact of defibrillators is to use published …