Calls for more defib registration after bike death

999 operators can only give access codes to defibrillators that are registered with them

Renewed calls have been made for more defibrillators to be registered following the death of a cyclist on the London to Brighton bike ride.

About 50% of community defibrillators in the UK are not registered, according to the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAMB) says its 999 operators are unable to provide codes to access the devices if they are not registered and updated.

The call for more defibrillators to be registered follows the death of David Cooper, who died while taking part in the London to Brighton Bike Ride at the weekend.

It is not know whether a defibrillator would have helped Mr Cooper, however, ambulance officials said the 999 call taker was not able to direct anyone to a nearby device as they are only alerted to ones which are available or "rescue ready" via their system.

Questions remain over why a nearby defib was not available but Judy O'Sullivan, from the BHF, said the charity was working hard to promote more defibrillator registration through its online portal, The Circuit.

"Seventy thousand have been registered so far," she said. "We're aiming to get to 100,000 by the end of the year, and then we're still going to keep going.

"Anyone out there who's got a defibrillator and hasn't registered it yet or you haven't updated your record, please log on to The Circuit and help us to provide the ambulance services with the information.”

David Cooper collapsed and died while taking part in the London to Brighton bike ride

Mr Cooper, who died in Redehall Road in Smallfield, Surrey, on Sunday, was one of thousands of riders taking part in the 54-mile (86.9km) route while raising funds for BHF.

Police are investigating the death of the 69-year-old, from Battersea, London, with no cause of death yet revealed.

Steve Morris survived a cardiac arrest while working out at a gym in East Grinstead, West Sussex, thanks to a defibrillator being available.

He told BBC South East Today: "The system itself, or the process, it’s not picking up the many thousands of defibs in the country that should be on the system.

"There are various reasons but I think there should be a concerted campaign, just to involve the public to make sure that these defibrillators get on the system because, as we know, they save a life.

"They saved my life."