Great Western Coffee Shop

https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/24946833.transpennine-express-installing-defibrillators-51-trains/


Good idea??

Hmm. Yes & No.

The battery within them will require changing every so often.

The ones that have a fixed location are linked back to the 999 operator such that quoting the code attached tells the operator where to send the emergency services. How does that work on a moveable object? "Hello user, can you tell us where you are?" "Hello operator, no idea, in the dark somewhere between York & Leeds"

As long as someone on the train knows where the defib is kept, and has an idea of the basics of how to use one, then there is no need to use the unlock-code system that the ambulance services use

We have one located in our factory and the first-aider staff have had some training.  Essentially, as long as you know where to place the pads, the machine does the rest for you.  Very clever in detecting the heart rhythm and whether it is shockable or not, and applying one if necessary

The chances of surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest are slim, even with rapid application of CPR.  A difib can increase those chances a little.

So, yes, a good idea

Yes, they are a life saver, and should be carried on all passenger trains

The entire fleet of Network Rail maintenance road fleet carry AED's as standard.  Even my little station on a branch line has an AED

If you want where your nearest AED is https://www.aeddonate.org.uk/

Many large businesses have AEDs on subscription, with all costs, including battery replacement, servicing after use and annual safety check included. Battery life can be up to five years.

Those registered on 'The Circuit' (https://thecircuit.uk/) can send you reminders for servicing etc.

Indeed they do - but no way of tracking where or which depot that train is at at the point of requiring service.

So do you give the job of tracking the defibs to some depot manager who passes on the defib info if/when that train gets seconded or transferred, possibly across country. Not only do you need to advise the company providing battery support, but the 999 operator.

Not exactly straight forward

Their search map is unreachable. Try this (https://www.defibfinder.uk/?_gl=1*8oaf0m*_gcl_au*NTI1OTIxNjA2LjE3NDAwNjIyNjc.*_ga*MjY5ODk1MTYwLjE3NDAwNjIyMjg.*_ga_L1TRS9RE0M*MTc0MDA2MjIyOC4xLjEuMTc0MDA2MjUzNi42MC4wLjA.)

Surely depots have systems that tell them what's going to turn up that night

But can't tell whether there's/there'll be a defib on board, nor what serial number it is & whether it needs a battery change.

I'd like to think depots have an idea what kit is on the trains they service. I'd also like to think they have a service schedule.

If AEDs are to be fitted to trains I'm sure they won't just be put onboard and forgotten about.

With modern rolling stock the train maintenance teams know exactly where every coach is at any time, all rolling stock is tracked using GPS, can feed back live data or the data is downloaded as it enters a depot.  Maintenance records will hold serial numbers of all key components when last inspected, due for replacement .............. so an AED not a problem. 

Not forgetting the good old fashioned planned preventative maintenance using visual inspection