Now that you have reached this page, please do NOT leave until you have watched the short videos below.

In an emergency always call 999 first. The ambulance service will give you the defibrillator access code.

SPC defibrillators may be found here: Bayworth, Boars Hill, Long Furlong and Sunningwell.

Act in Time – Save a life!

People often confuse a heart attack and a cardiac arrest. A heart attack is a “circulation” problem and cardiac arrest is an “electrical” problem. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked; the patient usually stays conscious and breathing and survives. A cardiac arrest is when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating unexpectedly. The patient is unconscious and stops breathing. Only immediate CPR and a defibrillator can save them.

If the patient is not breathing and has no pulse: First call 999 and tell this to the ambulance service. But if you have someone with you, ask them to call 999 and also ask the ambulance service for the 5 digit access code for the Bayworth, Boars Hill, Long Furlong or Sunningwell defibrillator. Send the helper to collect the defibrillator. Whether or not you have a helper, you MUST immediately start CPR (rapid chest compressions to mimic the heart).

To carry out chest compressions:

Place the heel of your hand on the breastbone at the centre of the person’s chest. Place your other hand on top of your first hand and interlock your fingers.
Position yourself with your shoulders above your hands, keep your elbows straight.
Using your body weight (not just your arms), press straight down by 5 to 6cm (2 to 2.5 inches) on their chest.
Keeping your hands on their chest, release the compression and allow the chest to return to its original position.
Repeat these compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 times a minute until an ambulance (or the defibrillator) arrives or you become exhausted. [Do not stop to give breaths unless you are trained to do so].

See below for some short videos on how to do this.

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If someone suffers a cardiac arrest, ie unconscious and not breathing, and you have no helper, you must call 999 to get an ambulance. Then, giving chest compressions is the only way to keep the patient alive until the ambulance arrives with a defibrillator. If you have a helper or neighbour they should call 999 and get the nearest defibrillator which will almost certainly arrive before the ambulance. In the meantime you must give chest compressions which are the vital key to life. The first very short video shows what you must do.

Ask for the access code when you first call 999. Tell the Ambulance Service which is your nearest defibrillator: Bayworth, Boars Hill, Long Furlong or Sunningwell.

If you have a helper, whilst you give chest compressions, they will call 999 and ask for the access code and fetch the nearest defibrillator and the plastic bag which contains scissors etc.

The video below shows a demonstration of the PowerHeart G3 fully automatic defibrillator as installed on Boars Hill and Sunningwell village. (See further down for a video for the Zoll 3 device as installed at Bayworth and Long Furlong)

Please note that giving breaths is no longer recommended unless you have been trained to do so.

The video below shows a demonstration of the Zoll 3 device as installed at Bayworth and Long Furlong.

Here is a comprehensive instruction guide given by Martin Fagan who is the National Secretary of the Community Heartbeat Trust which has provided all the SPC defibrillators. Martin graduated in Biochemistry & Toxicology and after a short period in clinical research in Cardiology, Rheumatology and Neurology, worked for many years in Medical Informatics including for the UK Department of Health/MHRA as Head of Business Development, also for the NHS Confederation. Martin has visited Sunningwell parish himself to provide a similar lecture to the one you will see below.

Here is where to find our defibrillators – one for each of our communities.

The Bayworth Defibrillator is next to the council notice board on the triangle in the centre of the village.

The Boars Hill Defibrillator is located in the yellow box by the main entrance porch of the Beaumont Care Home near the top of Bayworth Lane just off Foxcombe Road.

The Long Furlong Defibrillator is next to the council notice board and became active in December 2022.

The Sunningwell Defibrillator is easy to find in the old telephone kiosk near the village pond.

Watch this last video to see a real case in action and note how vigorous the compressions must be.