There are 69,061 defibrillators registered on the Circuit (www.thecircuit.co.uk) in the UK, of which 50,505 are available for public use, and 39,652 are available 24/7. Most of these are static, directly available to the public, and some are mobile (eg the pitch/court side ones). This information is available to the emergency services, who will then direct the public to the closest defibrillator. However, this causes delays: the member of the public calling for assistance may not know exactly where they are, or be unable to explain their location over the phone. There will then be travel time to the location, and often they are in a locked cabinet which needs a code.
Pitch/court-side defibrillators are excellent for the team carrying one: however the knowledge that this team is holding potentially lifesaving equipment may not be shared with the opposition, or with neighbouring pitches.
Clear signposting would mean that a defibrillator’s location is known before it is needed. Finding out where the closest one is after it is needed causes unnecessary delays. It is now our practice, when attending an event, when an introduction is given explaining where the fire exits and the toilets are, to insist that this includes the location of the defibrillator in that facility.
We propose a standard, national flag (of which we are already using two prototypes, see photos). These should be deployed as routine for all static defibrillators (during hours when the facility is open and staffed), and for all pitch/court-side defibrillators.
The deployment of a clear flag will signify where the nearest defibrillator is. Narratives from previous cases clearly describe the panic of running to a clubhouse, going to the wrong entrance, and trying to find information on location. A flag flying in front of the correct entrance, or by a pitch/court side defibrillator, will reduce the very significant localisation time.
We already have two flags in operation, with the Cliftonettes Netball Club and the West Bridgford Colts Football Club.
