Defibruary
In Wales, more than 6,000 people a year go into cardiac arrest outside of hospital. 80% of those take place at home.
A cardiac arrest means someone’s heart has stopped beating. When this happens normal breathing also stops. Someone in cardiac arrest will become unresponsive and will need urgent medical attention.
A defibrillator or automatic external defibrillator (AED) is used to analyse the heart rhythm of a casualty and give a shock to the heart to someone in cardiac arrest and help it beat again. The device will only give a shock if it’s safe to do so.
Following a cardiac arrest, a person’s survival chances are reduced by 10% for every passing minute without action. The quicker you act, the more chance you have to save someone’s life.
Defibruary was created by St John Ambulance Cymru in the month of February to help people become more defib-aware so more people can help others in need in our communities. During Defibruary, we run informative workshops and distribute educational materials to raise awareness about defibrillators, emphasising the critical role that timely intervention plays in saving lives during cardiac emergencies.
How can I get involved in Defibruary?
This Defibruary, we're encouraging you to learn, locate or donate to help save lives in Wales by using a defibrillator:
LEARN
See below for a list of free sessions taking place across Wales, where you can come along and learn more.
| Date | Time | Location |
Division
|
|
Friday 20th February
|
Knighton Community Centre, Bowling Green Ln, Knighton, LD7 1DR | Knighton | |
| Friday 20th February | 7.30pm-9.30pm | Canolfan Merched y Wawr, Vulcan Street, Aberystwyth, SY23 1JH | Aberystwyth |
| Tuesday 24th February | 7pm | St John Ambulance Cymru, Quarry Lane, Llandrindod Wells, LD1 5LB | Llandrindod Wells |
|
Wednesday 25th February
|
Knucklas Community Centre, Glyndwr, Knucklas, Knighton, LD7 1RR | Knighton | |
|
Thursday 26th February
|
The Community Pavilion, Llanfair Waterdine, Knighton, LD7 1TU | Knighton | |
| Saturday 28th February | 9.30am-11.30am | Canolfan Merched y Wawr, Vulcan Street, Aberystwyth, SY23 1JH | Aberystwyth |
You can also Increase your knowledge of how to access and use an AED by booking an in-person free defibrillator demonstration or gain certified, official training through one of our Workplace Training Courses.
LOCATE
To find out where the nearest defibrillators are visit the Defib Finder website.
To help raise awareness of where defibs are located, you can join in with our #DogsAtDefibs social media campaign by taking a photo of your four-legged friend at a defib near you! Don't forget to tag us @sjacymru and include the hashtag #DogsAtDefibs, as well as where the defib is located so people in your area know where to find it!
DONATE
You can support us by donating online, so we can continue our work to develop a community of lifesavers in Wales. Alternatively you can text DEFIB to 70480 to donate £5. Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message, and you’ll be opting into hearing more from us.
If you would like to donate but don’t wish to hear more from us, please text DEFIBNOINFO instead.