Gareth Barker, Head of Event Healthcare at St John Ambulance
Large-scale events are built on memorable moments, from last-minute goals in packed stadiums to headline acts on festival stages. But ahead of every event, organisers and safety teams must prepare for the worst.
One of those worst-case scenarios is someone suffering a cardiac arrest, one of the most time-critical medical emergencies any venue can face. Research from St John Ambulance has found that a quarter (25%) of UK adults have experienced a cardiac arrest incident in some way, whether as a first aider, bystander, or even as a patient themselves. Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces survival chances by up to 10%, but with the quick use of a defibrillator, a device that delivers an electrical shock to the heart to get it beating again, survival rates can reach as high as 70%.
Over the years, event venues have made real progress in installing life-saving defibrillators. But in large arenas, festival sites and outdoor sporting venues, it still takes valuable time for responders to work their way through the crowds to bring them to the patient. In venues packed with people, how quickly a defibrillator reaches a patient can be the difference between life or death.
The power of portability
A new generation of ultra-portable defibrillators is changing how event teams respond to medical emergencies.
St John Ambulance’s HEART Pocket defibrillator weighs just 700g and is roughly the size of a mobile phone, making it the smallest, lightest defibrillator available, and compact enough to carry in a pocket or bag. This means that, rather than waiting critical minutes for a defibrillator to arrive in a cardiac arrest incident, first-on-scene responders, such as stewards or security staff, could already be carrying them. This will increase the likelihood of survival.
Building on over 150 years of first aid expertise, St John Ambulance’s HEART Pocket defibrillator is built for real event conditions. It is drop-resistant and weather-tolerant, so it can perform reliably at big sporting events, concerts and open-air venues in all conditions.
With step-by-step voice guidance and a built-in paediatric mode, rescuers can confidently respond to adults or children suffering cardiac arrest at the click of a button, ensuring the best response in an emergency.
The HEART Pocket is a robust and trustworthy defibrillator, coming with an eight-year warranty and is approved by the EU’s Medical Device Regulation (MDR), meeting the highest standards of safety and reliability to keep your guests and teams protected.
Equipping people, not just venues
When cardiac arrest strikes, every second counts. The new generation of ultra-portable defibrillators puts life-saving capabilities directly in the hands of event teams and security staff, protecting people across every corner of your venue. With the HEART Pocket, life-saving defibrillation is always within reach, right from a pocket.
St John Ambulance is the sole UK distributor of the HEART Pocket defibrillator, and all profits go towards supporting the charity’s vital work, protecting venues and saving lives.
For more information, visit shop.sja.org.uk/s/pkt3
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