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WHO WE ARE


The Community Heartbeat Trust (CHT) is a charity whose aims are to help and support communities in the correct provision of defibrillators, but in sustainable, resilient and governance led manner. We invented the term "cPAD".


Defibrillators (also known as AEDs) are medical devices that help and support a rescue for a  patient in Cardiac Arrest. They achieve this by applying a current of electricity across the heart to stop it, allowing it to reconfigure automatically. Defibrillators are not "Heart Re-starters" - any sign indicating this is wrong!

Death from Cardiac Arrest if untreated is about 97% of cases. With the correct and rapid treatment, survival to hospital can, in theory, be raised to around the 70% mark, but this assumes rapid action, good CPR (Chest compressions) and also the timely use of a defibrillator.

The heart degrades by around 20% per minute after a Cardiac Arrest, and so the faster help can be given the better the outcome. The process is known as the ‘Chain of Survival’

CHT also ensures that communities obtain the correct defibrillators equipment, equipment that is designed for the task and conforms to the various legislative requirements, such as disability laws. We also review and ensure the storage cabinets meet the right requirements for the need, this means storage that will minimise condensation, is heated with the right type of heater, conforms to health and safety, as well as electrical safety requirements, and meets disability recommendations. Suitable cabinets are branded as meeting the ‘ShockBox’ standard.

CHT were the originators of the use of telephone kiosks for defibrillator use and now have around 1000 sites using kiosks. We are the partner organisation to BT and the only approved installer from BT (despite what some organisations claim). All kiosk installations are pre-registered onto the WebNos Governance system so BT can monitor electricity usage, and the local ambulance service is aware of the location and status.

All CHT projects are supported by DefibShield anti-theft service and also post-rescue counselling. They are also supported by a range of add-on services suitable for the location. Typically, these include the VETS service, which is a Volunteer Emergency Telephone System helping communities address the lone rescuer and spread out communities.

CHT works with Rotary International and The Club Cricket Charity as a preferred supplier. CHT has helped some 7000 communities (August 2022) and is arguably the leading charity in this area; certainly, the only organisation focused on resilience, sustainability and governance. Always call 999 Ambulance in an emergency.


Disclaimer

Please make sure you have read and understood this disclaimer - It will be assumed that you have read prior to CHT receiving any request. CHT are not responsible for your fund raising, nor your cPAD operations, but may assist in both. CHTs only aim is to support the installation of a cPAD scheme in the most cost effective way possible adhering to Best Practice, and help save lives in your community. This website, and any downloaded information, is for information only on how to go about obtaining and installing a cPAD, and other relevant information. All copyrights and trademarks are recognised. All support for the cPAD will be undertaken by the village committee responsible and via standard manufacturers warranties. Any training organisation will only be responsible for the initial awareness training and not for the functioning or maintenance of the AED. Please do not send any monies to CHT until you have registered your scheme with us, and have agreement from the local ambulance service for the establishment of a cPAD scheme. All schemes must be registered with the local ambulance service (CHT will also undertake this or you can do via this site, but this does not remove responsibility for you to notify the local ambulance service of your AED location). 999/112 (ambulance) must always be called prior to using a cPAD equipment. VAT may be applicable if your organisation is not an eligible body as defined by HMRC. All current or historical claims for VAT will be met by the local community. All schemes will be asked to sign an agreement taking responsibility for their own fund raising and donations to CHT, and then the operation and maintenance of the cPAD equipment. All CHT provided schemes will need to manage their maintenance through the WebNoS online system as a condition of CHT support. It is your responsibility to maintain the equipment in working order and to make sure the local ambulance service is aware of this. WebNoS makes this possible and also acts as an audit trail for management of the equipment. Sites provided by CHT and not using WebNoS may be disengaged from the ambulance service CAD systems. Any web site showing defibrillator locations is for information only, and should not be used in preference to dialling 999. CHT works in close cooperation with the UK ambulance services. Always dial 999 in an emergency

Registered Charity Number - 1132824