Frequently asked questions

An automated external defibrillator (AED), often called a "defib" for short, is a portable device used to help someone who's experiencing a sudden and life-threatening conditon called cardiac arrest. If a person suddenly collapses and stops breathing, they may be suffering from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), which is very serious. 

When someone has a cardiac arrest, their heart stops beating properly, which can be deadly if not treated quickly. A defibrillator works by delivering an electrical shock to the heart. This shock helps the heart to reset and hopefully start beating normally again. 

Think of it like a jumpstart for the heart. The electrical shock from the defibrillator can help restart the heart's natural rhythm and save seomeone's life in an emergency situation.

As soon as you press the ON button, a voice will start talking telling you exactly what to do. Anyone may operate a defib, including untrained users. However, it is useful to familiarise yourself with the defib. That way you can be confident in how to use it when needed. 

The MyCommunityDefib package consists of a defib with an unlocked outdoor cabinet and a support package for 4 years. You get an outside cabinet so you can hang the AED outside on a wall or fence. This way, everyone can quickly access the defib 24 hours a day. More information about the package can be found here. 

Anyone aged 18 and older can start a MyCommunityDefib campaign. You can also start a campaign as an organisation.

Go to Search for a campaign and enter your street name. An overview of actions in your area will appear. On the campaign page of your neighbourhood, you can make a donation via the Donate now button. The money you transfer is immediately credited to the promotion. This is how you help your neighbourhood with a defib! If is it not possible to collect the money in time, all donations will be refunded.

As soon as you created your fundraising campaign, you can start raising funds for your MyCommunityDefib package. 

Your neighbours can donate on your fundraising page. Once you have reached the target amount, you will receive your defibrillator package. You can stop your campaign at any time for free by informing us via emai or phone. 

You can easily search for a campaign in your neighbourhood. Go to https://www.mycommunitydefib.co.uk/projects and enter your postcode or street name. You will see the campaigns appearing in that area. Select the one you'd like to contribute to. No campaign in your area yet? Start your own MyCommunityDefib campaign and make your neighbourhood heart safe.

MyCommunityDefib is specially designed for raising money for a defib package. It is not possible to raise extra money on top of the target amount. If donations exceeded the target amount, it will be used to support another MyCommunityDefib campaign in the UK. 

We're sorry to see you go, a defibrillator in your area can save lives. 
If you are sure there is nothing else you can do to raise sufficient funds for your defibrillator package, you can send us an email or contact us by phone requesting a cancellation of your fundaising page. 

We will then directly stop your campaign and refund all the donations. 

If too much money has been raised, the excess amount will be used to support another MyCommunityDefib campaign in the UK. 

You can search for your nearest defib by using the online search site https://www.defibfinder.uk/. Don't have a defib near your street? Then start your own MyCommunityDefib campaign and make your neighbourhood safer for yourself and your neighbours. 

At MyCommunityDefib you get the Philips HeartStart HS1 defibrillator. This defibrillator is the world's best-selling, fastest and easiest defib. The ideal defib for home use. Read all about the Philips HS1 here

To hang the defib outside in a dust-free and waterproof environment, an outdoor cabinet will be added to the MyCommunityDefib package. The cabinet offers unbeatable durability to ensure your defib is kept safe, secure and always suitable for use. The cabinet is equipped with heating and lighting, which is why the outdoor cabinet needs power. More information about the cabinet can be found here.

Once you have raised the target amount, we will sent the defib + outdoor cabinet to you. You are then the owner and manager unless you assing the management to another neighbour. Management of the defibrillator doesn't cost much time. You are the contact person in case of use or malfunction. You regularly check if the green light is flashing and you receive materials (once in 2 years) and insert them in the defibrillator. 

Choose a good place to hang the defib together with your neighbours and don't forget to register it on The Circuit so that the ambulance service knows of it's location. 

The Philips HS1 defib comes with a support package. The coming 4 years you will have no costs at all. 
Costs of the power supply would be app. 20-30 pounds per year. 

Your defibrillator should be placed in a easy to reach location, available for everyone to use it 24/7.

Installation instructions are included within the welcome email. You will need support from an electrician to hard wire in the cabinet to an electrical supply to operate the heater within the cabinet.

More information about installation and maintenance can be found here.

We offer a free delivery service and aim to deliver your goods within 7 working days.

Please Note: This is not always possible. We are sometimes faced with longer lead times and delays. 

Items on our Free Delivery Service are sent via UPS. You will receive a tracking number to track your delivery on the relevant website.

The Circuit is the national defibrillator network which provides the NHS ambulance service with vital information about defibs across the UK so that in those crucial moments after a cardiac arrest, they can be accessed quickly to help save lives. This is why you need to register your MyCommunityDefib. For more information and to register your defib, visit The Circuit's website here.