Restart a Heart Day – Be Ready to Save a Life
Each year on 16 October, Restart a Heart Day shines a spotlight on cardiac arrest and the life-saving power of CPR. Led by Resuscitation Council UK, the campaign encourages everyone to learn how to respond in an emergency. With over 40,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK annually and fewer than 1 in 10 surviving, knowing CPR and how to use a defibrillator can make all the difference.
St George’s Church Leads the Way
St George’s Church was the first building in Ashtead to install a public access defibrillator (AED) externally. Since then, more have been added across the village, including at:
Ashtead Tennis Club
Ashtead Football Club
Ashtead Library
Tesco Express (The Parade)
Ashtead Railway Station
During a recent routine maintenance check, it was discovered that rainwater had damaged the cabinet housing our AED, rendering the unit unusable. Thankfully, the defib has now been replaced and restored to full working order. The new cabinet is in the same location, on the Oakfield Road side of St George’s church, adjacent to the war memorial, and is wired to mains electricity and features both a light and heating element to keep the equipment dry and ready for use.
Defibs Are for Everyone
Public access defibrillators are safe and simple to use. When switched on, they provide clear spoken instructions and will only deliver a shock if needed. You don’t need medical training—just the willingness to help.
Learn CPR in Just 15 Minutes
The British Heart Foundation offers a free, interactive online CPR training course called RevivR. In just a quarter of an hour, you’ll learn how to save a life and receive your own CPR certificate. All you need is a mobile phone or tablet and a cushion to practise on.
Start your free CPR training here
Be Prepared
While the original St George’s defib has never been used in an emergency, it’s reassuring to know it’s there. Emergencies are unpredictable, but with a little preparation, you could be the one to make a life-saving difference.
