What is the cost of a defibrillator?

Defibrillators can vary in cost with most prices usually starting at around the £900 mark and increasing in value to around £2,500. Once you have purchased your defibrillator, the cost of its upkeep is minimal. This is because most defibrillators have a lengthy battery life meaning they don’t need to be replaced often. Also, as thankfully cardiac arrests don’t happen often, you only need to replace the electrode pads once they have been used.

Most defibrillators have a battery life of around five years meaning that it will last for a lengthy period of time. It is important to always check that your defibrillator is in working order with most carrying out daily or weekly self-checks so that you have peace of mind that everything is operating correctly.

Accessory updates for your defibrillator are a lot less inexpensive and are determined by what you would like to add to your defibrillator set-up. You may want to purchase additional electrode pads, a battery or carry case depending on where your defibrillator will be stored. All of these items are more affordable, and once purchased and are designed to last many years. This eliminates any concerns about constantly updating and refreshing stock.

If covering the cost of a defibrillator in one go is too significant, there are a number of ways to fund your purchase. Many businesses and local communities get involved in fundraising so that they can have a defibrillator installed in their place of work, village or local sports centre.

You can also apply for a public access defibrillator through organisations such as the British Heart Foundation. Part-funding schemes like this are a great way to raise awareness about the importance of defibrillators as well as being able to have one installed.

They often have eligibility criteria which you are required to meet including, it must be freely accessible 24/7, the cabinet would need an electricity supply and there must be a commitment for defibrillator training. As long as criteria such as this is met however, organisations such as the British Heart Foundation are able to make a significant difference when it comes to covering the cost of your defibrillator.

Back in 2016, the UK government pledged £1m to the Department of Health in order for defibrillators and CPR training to be more easily accessible by the public. Hopes for this meant that survival rates would increase due to the uplift in knowledge surrounding defibrillators. With this, you can apply online where you can find the UK government partner with leading charities to support defibrillators in the local community.

Overall, there are a number of ways to cover the cost of your defibrillator with lots of emphasis focusing on the impact they have on the community. Whether you require one for your workplace or local town, it is clear to see that the benefits are incomparable when it comes to saving a life.