The Emergency Planning Department, with support from the St Helena Ambulance Service, is continuing to manage and maintain the Community Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Project. Following the recent installation of four new AEDs, this initiative continues to expand public access to life-saving defibrillators at key locations in every district across St Helena. The project aims to strengthen the island’s ability to respond to cardiac emergencies, and the public are being encouraged to learn where their nearest AED is located.
What is an AED, and when and how are they used?
Defibrillators are devices that send a safe electric shock to the heart to restore a normal heartbeat when someone is not conscious and not breathing (i.e. they are in cardiac arrest).
A defibrillator may also be referred to as a DEFIB, an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) or a PAD (Public Access Defibrillator). Statistics show that if a defibrillator is used on a patient within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, they have a 60-70% chance of making a full recovery.
The type of AED’s being deployed are designed so that they can be used by anyone, without specialist training. Once turned on they will instruct the user through voice commands on exactly how to use the device safely, for both the patient and the operator.
These particular AED’s will only deliver a lifesaving shock to the patient if it is needed. They can tell if this is the case and will talk the user through what to do, meaning people can use the AED’s with confidence in an emergency situation.
The AED’s will be clearly signposted and will be contained in a bright yellow box which looks similar to the below image.
If you require access to an AED, the code to the cabinet can be requested from the Joint Emergency Services Control Centre when dialling 999.
Where are they located?
AED’s have now been placed in the following locations:
| District | Location |
| Half Tree Hollow | Half Tree Hollow Clinic (Outside of main entrance) |
| Francis Plain | The Pavilion Area (In the Green Shed) |
| Levelwood | Silver Hill Shop |
| Blue Hill | Blue Hill Community Centre |
| Sandy Bay | Bamboo Hedge Shop and SHAPE |
| Rupert’s | Sea Rescue Building (Outside the main entrance) |
| Jamestown | Royal St Helena Police Service (Reception) and the Old Customs Building |
| Longwood | Royal St Helena Police Post (Outside) |
| Alarm Forest | Sunflower Creche |
| St Paul’s | KS1 School (Outside) and the Rosemary Plain Bus Shelter |
| There are also other AED’s located in HM Prison, CCC and the St Helena Airport (Departures Medical Room). | |
The Emergency Planning Department will continue to support the availability and maintenance of community AED’s across St Helena as part of its on-going commitment to public safety and community resilience. Members of the public are encouraged to help raise awareness of these facilities within their communities, ensuring more people know where life-saving equipment can be found when it is needed most.
#StHelena #AED #AltogetherSafer