DEFIBRILLATORS are vital, potentially lifesaving pieces of equipment that can typically be found in town centres and communities.

Many can be found across Southampton, and according to The National Defibrillator Database, there are seven defibrillators along Above Bar Street alone.

However, a recent study by a team at the University of Warwick found defibrillators are more likely to be placed in areas where people are likely to work rather than residential areas.

Before we jump into that, here are a list of defibrillators that can be found in Southampton., according to the AED location map.

Access 24-7:

  • Hamble Yacht Services Ltd, Port Hamble
  • Wellstead Primary School, Wellstead Way, Hedge End
  • Elliotts Southampton, Millbank Wharf, Northam
  • 18-20 Millbrook Road East, Southampton
  • New Forest Enterprise Centre, Chapel Ln, Totton

Limited access:

  • Qioptiq Photonics Limited, 32 Ensign Way, Hamble
  •  Sainsburys Superstore, Tollbar Way, Hedge End
  • Hazel Road, Woolston 
  • Co-Op Welcome, Terminus Terrace, Southampton
  • Marchwood Dental Practice, The Old Forge, Hythe Road
  • Elliotts Totton (To right of shop counter), Rushington Business Park, Chapel Lane, Totton
  • Unit 11 Oriana Way, Nursling Industrial Estate, Southampton
  •  No.1, Lordshill District Centre, Southampton
  • 7 Blackbushe Close, Lordshill
  • Outdoor Sports Centre SO16 7AY
  • PEI Genesis UK Ltd, Factory Shop Floor (outside First Aid Room), George Curl Way, Southampton
  • Sainsbury’s Portswood Road, Southampton
  • 56 Bedford Place, Southampton
  • Richer Sounds, 77 London Road, Southampton
  • Commercial Road, Southampton, SO15 1GX

The above rings true in Southampton as members of a Shirley community group on Facebook recently discussed whether a defibrillator should be introduced to the high street, with many saying yes.

One resident said: “There is always a need for a defibrillator in every city centre and busy community and if it could save one life, it’s worth it all.”

Another commented on the post saying “The city centre is well covered, but I believe Shirley only has one 24-hour accessible defibrillation unit. I wrote to the council urging them to increase coverage in the area, particularly Foyes Corner, but received no reply.”

Councillor for Shirley, Satvir Kaur says there should be a defibrillator in every neighbourhood in Southampton.

Cllr Kaur said: “Defibrillators save lives and while it’s great we have so many in the city centre, we should have one in every neighbourhood in Southampton.

“I know of families that have had to wait hours for an ambulance, where having a local defibrillator would have made all the difference.

“So, I fully support local communities, particularly those in my ward in Shirley, who are asking for more in their area.

"Everyone wants and deserves to feel safe, and I know many will feel safer and more confident if they knew these were close by.”

In response to the concerns raised by Shirley residents, Dr Debbie Chase, Director of Public Health for Southampton City Council, said: “Although the council does not fund provision of defibrillators, it does support community-funded initiatives linked to South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) Save a Life Scheme.

"In this way, we can ensure that the location of devices is mapped and use of the device is part of a broader range of measures to protect lives such as CPR training within communities, at events and other settings”

The study by researchers at the University of Warwick comes out amid a national call for all public-access defibrillators to be registered properly so emergency services have the most up-to-date information.

The lifesaving benefits of community defibrillators is substantially reduced if they are not registered with ambulance services.

Defibrillator guardians are being encouraged to register their defibrillators onto The Circuit, a national defibrillator network.

The lead author of the study, Dr Terry Brown from Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, said: “We want to get more defibrillators registered.

"If they are registered and more easily accessible, and people have the confidence to use them, we believe there will be an improvement in survival rates from cardiac arrest.”

Every minute that passes without CPR or defibrillation reduces the chances of survival, and The Circuit could save thousands of lives in the coming years.

South Central Ambulance Service's Save a Life app is also a great tool to use to find your local defibrillator. 

More information can be found here https://www.scas.nhs.uk/news/campaigns/savealife/ where you can also download the app.