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Screwfix, the British retailer of trade tools, has partnered with the British Heart Foundation to install defibrillators in all of its stores in the UK and Ireland. This will make it the first trade retailer to roll out defibrillators on a mass scale.
It’s estimated that tens of thousands of defibrillators remain unknown to ambulance services, meaning that bystanders cannot be directed by emergency services in the event of a cardiac arrest.
With more than 870 stores, Screwfix is registering its network of defibrillators onto The Circuit: The National Defibrillator Network which was developed to map all publicly-accessible defibrillators that can be used in case of an emergency while an ambulance arrives.
In addition, the retailer will also roll out the BHF’s CPR training tool RevivR to its colleagues, a tool that teaches CPR and defibrillation skills in 15 minutes.
Scott Parsons, Screwfix operations director, said: “We are extremely proud to join forces with the British Heart Foundation and support our local communities with the tools to help potentially save a life. We believe this rollout of defibrillators at Screwfix stores will help make a significant difference, meaning more life saving defibs are close to hand in the event of a cardiac arrest.”
Mike Taylor, commercial director at the British Heart Foundation, added: “Every minute without CPR or defibrillation reduces a person’s chance of surviving a cardiac arrest by up to 10%, so we are delighted that Screwfix has installed lifesaving defibrillators in all its stores and started to roll out RevivR, our CPR training to its colleagues.
“Screwfix is helping communities by providing its colleagues and customers with the information and tools they need to potentially save a life and help to triple the number of people surviving a cardiac arrest.”
