ukactive publishes defibrillator guidance for facilities

ukactive has published new guidance on defibrillators to help fitness and leisure operators deliver life-saving support for anyone who suffers a cardiac arrest. The guidance has been developed with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and forms part of ukactive’s commitment to support gyms, swimming pools, leisure centres and other fitness facilities to further improve safety and standards.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates in the UK remain low, with fewer than one in 10 people surviving. However, rapid defibrillation within a few minutes of collapse can significantly increase survival rates. The new resource, titled ‘Guidance on Defibrillator Provision in Physical Activity Settings’, provides practical advice on installing, registering, and maintaining a defibrillator, as well as training staff and maximising the devices’ life-saving impact in the physical activity sector.

It has been informed and approved by ukactive’s Standards and Legislation Committee, which features leading experts from operators of all types and sizes.