Where to find an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) when you need one.

I saw this article today in the Guardian.  www.theguardian.com/society/2018/aug/08/new-uk-defibrillator-map-aims-to-save-thousands-more-lives-each-year  This is a great initiative in collaborative working by NHS, British Heart Foundation (BHF) and Microsoft.  A map of public use defibrillators is not something we have in Belgium yet but if you keep your eyes peeled and know what to look for you will see there are AED's everywhere, most public buildings, outside police stations, metro stations, supermarkets.................. The distinctive green sign with the logo and letters 'AED' (sometimes it is just the logo) is fairly universal around the world.  I certainly saw similar signs in Italy last week although the letters were 'DAE'.  

A defibrillator is a device that gives a high energy electric shock to the heart through the chest wall to someone who is in cardiac arrest. This high energy shock is called defibrillation, and it's an essential life saving step in the chain of survival.  Defibrillation within 3-5 min of collapse can produce survival rates as high as 50-70%.  They are specifically designed for the general public to use and there are moves afoot to have them arrive by drone! 
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​Here are some pics of AED's I have seen on my travels around Vlaanderen:

Life First provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. Life First is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken based on this information. It is strongly advised that you attend a First Aid course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.