Worcestershire residents are being urged to ensure they know how to perform CPR and how to use a defibrillator.

Ahead of Restart a Heart Day on Monday (October 16), Worcestershire County Council is raising awareness of where to find the life-saving machines.

According to the council, Worcestershire has more than 860 defibrillators.

These can be found in community spaces like shopping centres, pubs, schools, community centres and residential areas.

There is information on defibrillators and CPR on the county council website, and a map of where to find them at www.defibfinder.uk.

If you do not have a defib in your local community, funding is available to help you acquire one.

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Dr Lisa McNally, director of public health for Worcestershire, said: “Defibrillators are essential devices that save thousands of lives each year.

“We are supporting communities with greater numbers of over 65s and limited access to a defibrillator to apply for funding via our website.

“If you have a defibrillator, please remember to register your device so the ambulance service knows where it is located.

“You can register your defib by visiting The Circuit - the national defibrillator network. Please also ensure it is regularly maintained and serviced.”

Dr McNally is urging people to take 15 minutes to learn CPR using a course available on the British Heart Foundation website, and a further couple of minutes to do the charity’s defibrillator course.

“Those 15 minutes could be the difference between life and death,” she said.

Restart a Heart Day is an annual campaign led by Resuscitation Council UK, the British Heart Foundation and St John’s Ambulance alongside other charities. 

The free, interactive online CPR course run by the British Heart Foundation is called RevivR. The charity says all you need to get started is a mobile phone and cushion.