Posted By Steve Holliday Ian, If you speak to St Johns Ambulance, they have reams of information on defibilators and will be happy to help.

Posted By Brett Day As another option , why not contact your local NHS trust or ambulance service ? Not sure if it's still running, but there was a scheme run by Essex Ambulance Trust where they 'loaned' a difibrillator and gave the required training for it - they were targetting shopping centres, industrial estates that sort of thing. The only downside was that if you were on an industrial estate, your employee would be expected to respond to heart attacks from other units. I believe that the insurance cover was done through the scheme.

Posted By Hilary Charlton We have one gathering dust. Our first aiders have been trained but it is pretty easy stuff as it is automatic and will not shock unless shock is actually required (AED). Bought ours through Safety First Aid at about £3,000. Hilary

Posted By Richard Mathews We have several of these machines and all our first aiders (of which I am one) have been trained to use them. They are very simple to use (the hardest bit is opening the box) and anyone with a basic understanding of CPR would not have any problems. Recently an elderly lady had a heart attack on our premises, our first aiders were able to use the machine to restart her heart, she has gone on to make a full recovery, the doctor at the hospital said that if the machine had not been used as promptly the lady would probably be dead. Richard

Posted By John Murgatroyd www.resus.org.uk/pages/legal should be: www.resus.org.uk/pages/legal.htm

Posted By Andrew Perrett Ian, I represent Staff Safety Solutions, we have now successfully placed nine Automated External Defibrillators, (A.E.D.s), into workplaces, providing A.E.D.s, training and Policy/Procedure frameworks. I would suggest the following considerations: A.E.D.s do fail to safe, in that they will not shock a heart rhythm compatible with life. However their use should not be regarded as safe; there are real dangers for the patient, bystanders and First Aiders if used incorrectly. The workplaces to which we have provided A.E.D.s utilise staff that we have trained to the First Aid at Work standard. These staff will not only have a better understanding of patient care, (as clearly these patients are seriously ill), they will also have covered their role in the reporting of accidents within their organisation and have knowledge of the post incident support available to them through their Occupational Health provision. In respect of A.E.D. Refresher Training, whilst some organisations who provide training state that that this should occur every six months, this should be a matter for your policy, having considered your assessment of risk and the cost/benefit considerations. By way of comparison, the Health and Safety Executive First Aid at Work qualification, including basic life support, currently requires refresher training every three years. Be aware that there are a range of devices available; they are not all the same. There are variations in the manner of operation and in the way they deliver the energy to the patient, do your research before you commit. That said, A.E.D.s are a massive and positive leap forward in First Aid provision; I would make two final points: Your nominated First Aiders should deserve the best training and equipment, if for no other reason than this will help them during any post incident stresses. Secondly, all the time your A.E.D. gathers dust on the shelf, it shouts volumes about your Company’s commitment to the Health and Welfare of your staff. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me Andrew Perrett