Defibrillators

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is regularly contacted by residents, organisations and by elected members regarding the installation of, and support for Community public access defibrillators (CPAD) across the borough.

What are cPADs and how are they used in an emergergancy

Defibrillators are devices used to restore a normal heart rhythm during cardiac arrest. A cPAD is a defibrillator that is located in a community setting and available for members of the public to access, 24 hours a day. Across Stockton-on-Tees there are approximately 224 cPADs. Devices are accessed through use of a key code which is provided by the 999 operators.

In the event of a life-threatening emergency, a person calling 999 will be guided to start CPR, then if there is someone else who can retrieve it they will be advised if there is an 'available' cPAD within a 500m radius and given the code to open the cabinet.

You must not try to access the nearest cPAD you are aware of without instruction from the 999 operator, as only they will know if the cPAD is in 'ready-to-rescue' state at that moment.

Reasons why a cPAD may not be in 'ready-to-rescue' state include:

• the pads or battery are expired and in the process of being replaced by the Guardian
• the cPAD has been used, and needs to be fully checked by the Guardian before it is back on The Circuit
• the Guardian is no longer able to maintain the cPAD, in which case the community group or organisation the cPAD belongs to should attempt to recruit a new Guardian as soon as possible

Defibrillator Policy

The Council have a Defibrillator Policy. This policy has been developed by the Public Health team and Highways, Estates team to inform the consistent corporate approach of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. 

The policy coveres a variety of topics including:

• what is a cPAD and who maintains them
• cPADs maintained by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council
• If you are concerned about the condition of a cPAD
• CPR training and resources

Read the full Community Public Access Defibrillator (CPAD) Guidance Policy.

Use the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) Defibrillator Finder to find the nearest location of a CPAD to any given postcode.