Life-saving defibrillators installed at 28 Orbit sites

Defibrillators have been installed at 28 Orbit locations to help safeguard the lives of older and more vulnerable residents and the wider community.

The portable devices can give a casualty’s heart a life-saving electric shock if it has stopped beating normally in a sudden cardiac arrest. Using a defibrillator before an ambulance arrives can significantly increase someone’s chance of survival.

Supplied by St John Ambulance, the defibrillators have been installed free of charge at extra care and independent living sites by CCSS Fire & Security Ltd as part of the social value work that Orbit leverages with all of its contractors.

Christian Halford, Contracts Manager at Orbit commented: “Our extra care and independent living sites offer bespoke homes specifically for older people, or people who need some extra care and support - for example those with a long-term health condition or disability. So whilst we obviously hope to never have to use them, to have these devices on site is very reassuring for residents and their families and means that we can respond quickly in the event of an emergency and potentially make a life-saving difference to people’s lives.”

Sarah Kerr, Managing Director at CCSS Fire & Security Ltd, added: CCSS Fire & Security value our relationship with Orbit and take our CSR seriously, so we were keen to give something back. This important initiative has the potential to save lives, so we were eager to do what we could to help Orbit fulfil this project. Well done to all involved.”

A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone. Every year approximately 55 out of every 100,000 people experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, with most occurring in the home or workplace. Using a defibrillator can double the chance of survival.

All 28 defibrillators are logged on ‘The Circuit’ – the national defibrillator network that connects defibrillators to NHS ambulance services across the UK so that in those crucial moments after a cardiac arrest, they can be accessed quickly to help save the lives of anyone living nearby as well as within the schemes.