CAMPAIGNERS including a Worcester teenager who came back from the dead are backing calls to make defibrillators mandatory in schools.

A petition signed by more than 8,000 people is due to be handed in to 10 Downing Street today at 1pm.

The Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS) UK Big Shock Campaign aims to change the law and is supported by SADS UK representatives in the West Midlands, the West Midlands Ambulance Service and London Ambulance Service. Karen Lumley, MP for Redditch, also plans to join Anne and John Jolly, founders of the cardiac charity SADS UK to hand in the document. We have already reported how Dan Edwards, aged 17, of Wolsey Close, Worcester, suffered a cardiac arrest at Worcester College of Technology last September. Just like footballer Fabrice Muamba he miraculously survived. His heart stopped for seven minutes when he collapsed after running up the stairs to retrieve a coat. His dad, Darren Edwards, has already spoken about the importance of defibrillators, persuading his employers Southco in Wainwright Road, Warndon Villages, to install three at work. It is estimated that 270 cardiac arrests occur in schools in the UK each year.

Anne Jolly, founder of SADS UK, said: “It is likely that children with undiagnosed heart conditions exist within the school population and sadly cardiac arrest may happen at any time. “The charity knows only too well the heartache of parents who contact the charity after the sudden death of a child. Applying the defibrillator as soon as possible when a person goes into cardiac arrest gives them best chance of surviving. “All schools must have fire extinguishers, but the chance of someone dying from a fire at the school is far less likely than a person dying from cardiac arrest. “This lifesaving equipment is absolutely vital and must be in place on all school premises.”

Matt Heward, West Midlands Ambulance Service community response manager, said: “As a service we strongly believe that by having defibrillators installed in public places, such as schools and recreational facilities, and by having people trained in their use, helps to ensure that the best care possible can be provided quickly and effectively, should anyone ever unfortunately suffer a cardiac arrest.” Sports activities can exacerbate cardiac problems – as in the case of Bolton Wanderers player Fabrice Muamba, who suffered a cardiac arrest while playing for Bolton Wanderers during an FA Cup quarter-final with Tottenham Hotspur. His heart stopped for 78 minutes as paramedics battled to save his life. Miraculously, he survived. Blunt blows to the chest, such as that of a football or rugby ball, can cause Commotio cordis, resulting in cardiac arrest. Other factors besides heart disease and heart attack include respiratory arrest, electrocution, choking and trauma.