How to create a heart-safe community

When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, every second matters. With a publicly accessible defibrillator in the right place, and local people who feel confident using it, communities can be better prepared to respond in a cardiac emergency.

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance’s defibrillator package makes it easier to take that vital step, combining the equipment, training, and support needed to be ready to save a life.

A defibrillator in front of dorset and somerset air ambulance's yellow helicopter

Our defibrillator package includes:

Everything you need to help make your community ‘rescue ready’.

  • Zoll automated defibrillator (AED) – designed for inexperienced users, delivers shocks automatically, with a 7-year warranty.
  • Outdoor heated, branded, unlocked cabinet – protects the AED and makes it easy to spot and access in an emergency.
  • CPR & Defibrillator Awareness session – plus simple resources to help your team feel confident.
  • Registration support – help to register your AED so 999 call handlers can direct people to it.
  • Insurance and ongoing support – we’ll insure the asset against public liability claims and help you keep it rescue-ready.

How it works 

1)  Choose a location and guardian

Start by deciding where the AED will live and who will look after it.

Image of a defibrillator in DSAA branded cabinet

Location

Where you place your AED can affect how quickly it can be used in an emergency. If you’re unsure what will work best for your area, our team can share practical guidance, or find out more below.

As a quick checklist, aim for:

  • Outside: 24/7 access
  • Unlocked: faster access. Find out why>
  • Registered: on The Circuit.

Where to install a defibrillator

Graphic of a defib promoting The Circuit

The Guardian

Each defibrillator needs a Guardian. This is a dedicated person responsible for keeping the device “rescue ready.”

Guardians carry out simple checks to ensure the defibrillator and cabinet are in good condition, then log their updates on The Circuit, the UK’s national defibrillator network. 

Find out more

2) Register your interest

Tell our Life Support team you’d like a defibrillator and CPR awareness session by filling out the short form below. We’ll contact you to talk through the order process and answer any questions you may have.

Register your interest

3) We’ll help you get set up

Once your defibrillator has arrived, there are a few quick steps to get everything ready.

an image of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance's defibrillator cabinet installed in the community

Installation

You’ll arrange installation locally (we can provide an installation guide for your electrician).

Registration

After installation, your defibrillator (AED) should be registered on The Circuit - our team will help you do this.

This means the ambulance services can direct callers to your defibrillator during a 999 call.

A participant of a CPR awareness session using a defibrillator

Learning

Your device is ready, make sure your community is too.

Don’t forget to book a CPR and defibrillator awareness session, so you can be prepared to act quickly in an emergency. 

These sessions are open to everyone, whether you are purchasing a defibrillator or simply want to learn.

Book a session

Interested in making your community heart-safe?

By installing a public access defibrillator and booking a CPR awareness session you’re helping your community be prepared for a cardiac emergency.

Register your interest below and take the first step towards creating a heart‑safe community.

Get started now 

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