We have been looking into this at church, thinking about whether we should buy a publicly accessible defibrillator. You may see the abbreviation CPAD (community publicly accessible defibrillator), or AED (automated external defibrillator).
A defibrillator is an electrical device that administers an electric shock to the heart to restart it (in case of cardiac arrest) or to put it back into a regular rhythm (in case of arrhythmia).
In case your organisation is doing the same, here is what we've discovered so far.
The Resuscitation Council and British Heart Foundation guidance recommends that there be a public device every 200 metres, based on the idea that it is best to have one that is two minutes (brisk walk) away - so, four minutes to fetch the device. Our local ambulance service, if applying for their funding scheme asks you to show that there is not a publicly available device within 600 metres, so rather further.
A publicly available defibrillator would be in a locked cabinet, with permanent electricity supply. The cabinet has a code, and the emergency services would have the code, and also know of the location of your nearest device.
You would go to the cabinet, unlock it with the code, take out the defibrillator, which is portable, take it to where it is needed. When you turn it on, an automated device gives you verbal instructions. It detects any heartbeat, and if there is one, detects a rhythm, and if a shock is not needed, will not give one.
Someone in your organisation (a nominated "guardian") is informed if the code is used, then is responsible for checking the device is safely put back, and that the pads are replaced.
There seem to be several publicly available online maps, although it is not clear to me who maintains some of them. The British Heart Foundation have a scheme called "The Circuit", which encourages you to register your defibrillator, so that the emergency services know where it is. Our local ambulance service also has a link you can use to register.
I think there's no harm in knowing where your nearest defibrillator is. Some defibrillators in Sheffield City Centre are signposted. The University of Leicester has marked them on its campus map. But, actually, if you witness someone collapse, you are going to ring 999 and then you would be advised of the location and the code of the nearest device. Ambulances also carry them.
Anyone buying a publicly available defibrillator would need to ensure it can be kept plugged into the mains electric supply, through a permanent connection (not just plugged into a mains socket), and would need to check it regularly to check it is charging and that the cabinet and device are not damaged.
If used, the pads need replacing. The British Heart Foundation recommend that when you buy the device, you buy pads suitable for children (it comes with pads for adults). The pads and battery need replacing periodically, whether used or not.
We have figures for the initial cost, but those might change, so I am not giving them here. There are also ongoing costs - again no figures as those may change - but replacing batteries and pads, and the electricity for the cabinet.
There are part funding schemes - our local ambulance service has one, and there are national and local charities that might be able to help.
So, on the basis of our investigations, I think I would advise:
Contact your council - there may be local funding or they may know of local plans.
Contact the British Heart Foundation for advice on what sort of device to look at.
See if your local ambulance service can help.
There are other organisations - there may be a local one for you, but nationally I know of London Hearts, Community Heartbeat. They may be able to advise on sources of funding.
Contact any national organisation you are part of, and see if anyone else has already done it. And any local organisation or forum.
And if there are already public devices near you, see if you can see who funded or provided them, as those may be useful contacts.
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