What is the circuit?

The Circuit is the national defibrillator network which maps defibrillators across the UK, connecting them directly and automatically to each ambulance service.

Why should I register my defibrillator?

There are an estimated 100,000 defibrillators across the UK, however, tens of thousands of these are unknown to ambulance and emergency services. Once located and registered, emergency services can direct bystanders to their nearest defibrillator and increase a person's chance of survival.

Since the launch, The Circuit has helped map over 90,000 defibrillators in the UK and counting. 

In the future, The Circuit will also be able to analyse location data and identify where more defibrillators are needed – therefore saving more lives.

Give your defibrillator its best chance of saving a life - put your defibrillator on the map.

Register on The Circuit

 

Find your nearest defibrillator with Defib Finder

Using data from The Circuit, Defib Finder is a webapp that helps you find your nearest defibrillator in case of, or for use in an emergency. Simply enter your location to find the nearest defibrillators to you. Then click on the defibrillator icons for further information, such as availability, access information and directions.
Please note, Deifb Finder only shows the defibrillators that are registered with The Circuit. This is why it is important to register your defibrillator with The Circuit so, it can be found and used in the case of an emergency. 

*Disclaimer: Please always dial 999 immediately in an emergency and they will direct you to your nearest defibrillator.

If your question isn't answered below or you require further support, please email NDNsupport@bhf.org.uk or call 0300 330 5482 .

What information do I need to register my defibrillator?

Registering your defibrillator is easy, all you need to have at hand is:

  • The brand, model and serial number of your defibrillator
  • The specific location of your defibrillator and any access details, i.e. times when the defibrillator is accessible, if its accessible to the public or in a restricted area, if its in a locked cabinet - the code to access it
  • The status of your defibrillator - when it was last checked, the pad expiry date and if you also have paediatric pads.

Can I register multiple defibrillators?

Does my defibrillator have to be available 24/7 to register it?

What if I've already registered with my local ambulance service?

What communication will I receive from the Circuit regarding my registered defibrillator?

Can I see where my nearest defibrillator is / where defibrillators are located across the country?

How can I tell if a request to use my defibrillator is genuine?

Will my defibrillators be insured by the Circuit in case of damage or loss?

What happens if the defibrillator isn’t operational? Am I liable?

Will just the defibrillator be handed over or will I need to send an employee/first aider too?

When would I get my defibrillator back if used? How do I get it back?

How often could I expect someone to use the defibrillator?

If it is used, how are pads and other consumables replaced? Is that my responsibility or will I be compensated?

Who will come for the defibrillator? A member of the public or the emergency services?

What are the legal ramifications if my defibrillator has been taken elsewhere and is then needed in the workplace?

We're working in partnership with:

British Heart FoundationResuscitation Council UK

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Paul's Story

Read Paul's story to find out about the importance of knowing the location of your nearest defibrillator

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Put your defibrillator on the map

Paul's story

I would ordinarily say it was just like any other Sunday morning. On this particular Sunday, my daughter Sophie, who was 22 at the time, was home with us from university and asked if I wanted a game of squash with her, her boyfriend Jake and a friend some university. I said “Yes, of course.”

Paul and Sophie

For the last 15 minutes, I was playing with Sophie, while the two boys played on the next court over. I bent down to pick up the ball to serve – and that was it. No warning bells, I just went straight over with a sudden cardiac arrest.

Luckily, Sophie was familiar with first aid and CPR – and she didn’t panic. She ran next door, got one of the boys to call 999, and brought Jake back to where I was. With her help, he gave me CPR. She then ran off to find the club manager and a defibrillator. Amazingly, the club manager had been on a CPR refresher course just the week before, and so they continued to give me CPR and use the defibrillator to deliver shocks in the 10 minutes or so before the paramedics arrived and took over.

The first thing I knew was coming round in hospital later that day, with my wife on one side and daughter on the other, holding my hands.

It’s been a long road to recovery – both physically and mentally. But in February this year we celebrated my first ‘re-birthday’, and I’m now back to exercising and working, though I’ve changed my lifestyle to reduce stress.

I would encourage everyone to learn CPR and to be aware of their nearest defibrillator – because you never know when it might be you standing next to someone who needs your help.

Put your defibrillator on the map to help people like Paul

You can hear more of Paul’s story in his own words, and what he’s been doing with his ‘second chance at life’, on the British Heart Foundation's Ticker Tapes podcast.

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