Installing a defibrillator in your home, office, or community is a crucial step towards protecting yourself and those around you. However, owning a defibrillator is only part of the process. 

To ensure your defibrillator can be found and used in an emergency, you must register it with the UK’s national AED network, The Circuit.

In this guide, we’ll explain what The Circuit is, why registration matters, and how to register your defibrillator correctly.

What Is The Circuit?

The Circuit is the UK’s national defibrillator network, developed by the British Heart Foundation in partnership with ambulance services nationwide.

It is a secure, central database that records the location and availability of defibrillators, with the aim of mapping every defibrillator throughout the UK. You can also join The Circuit even if your defibrillator is not publicly accessible.  

The Circuit is the UK’s national defibrillator network, which allows emergency call handlers to identify the nearest registered defibrillator and guide people to it.

Emergency call handlers access The Circuit’s database during 999 calls to help identify the nearest registered defibrillator and guide bystanders to it.

If you don’t register your defibrillator on The Circuit, emergency services may not know it exists, even if it’s only metres away.

Why Is Registering Your Defibrillator So Important?

Fast access to a defibrillator is essential to save lives, but this can only happen if it’s easy to find. 

Registering your defibrillator with The Circuit helps to:

Ensure Your Defibrillator Is Visible to Emergency Services

Registering with The Circuit allows emergency services to see the precise location of a defibrillator.

They can further see its availability, whether that’s 24/7, office hours or weekdays only, and whether it’s in a locked cabinet and the access code.  

Reduce Response Times in Emergencies

The sooner emergency call handlers can identify nearby devices and direct callers to them, the faster life-saving treatment can begin.

Registering your defibrillator is key, as early defibrillation can increase survival rates by 50-70%.

Early defibrillation within 3–5 min of collapse can increase survival rates by as high as 50-70%, so it’s important to make sure your defibrillator can be found.

Helps You Care for Your Defibrillator

Registering with The Circuit can also help you care for your defibrillator. You can be reminded when to check your defibrillator, notified when defibrillator pads or batteries need replacing, and alerted when a defibrillator has been used in an emergency.

What Information Do You Need to Register?

Before we delve into the process of registering your defibrillator with The Circuit, it’s helpful to gather a few details.

You’ll need to know:

• The exact location of the defibrillator

   

• Whether it’s publicly accessible or restricted

   

• Its hours of availability

   

• Cabinet details, including whether it’s locked

   

• Contact details for the person responsible for the device

By having this information ready, you’ll have a quick and straightforward registration process.

How to Register a Defibrillator on The Circuit Website

Registering a defibrillator with The Circuit is free and can be completed online.

Here are the key steps you need to take:

1. Create an Account

Search up The Circuit’s website and create an account using your email address. This allows you to see, manage and update your defibrillator details over time.

2. Add Your Defibrillator

Once you’ve created an account and logged in, you’ll be prompted to add a defibrillator. You’ll be asked to enter its location, access details, and availability.