Barry McDowell suffered a sudden cardiac arrest in a pub (Image: British Heart Foundation)
More than 100,000 defibrillators are now registered on the UK’s life-saving network in a major victory for the Daily Express Complete The Circuit crusade.
Our campaign with the British Heart Foundation launched in May 2023 to raise awareness of The Circuit, which is used by ambulance services to direct 999 callers to their nearest device.
Tens of thousands of people have since come forward to register publicly accessible defibrillators – and the 100,000th one was logged at Talbot Primary School in Poole, .
The hailed the “momentous milestone”, which could help to increase survival chances for the 30,000 people who suffer an out-of- cardiac arrest each year in the UK.
Fewer than one in 10 survive but immediate CPR and defibrillation can double the chances of recovery.
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Football legend David Ginola launched our crusade 20 months ago, recalling the day he “died” for 10 minutes on the pitch before an electric pulse from a defibrillator restarted his heart.
Writing in the Express today, the French sportsman, 57, says: “I know more than most how important defibrillators are, and that quick CPR and defibrillation can save a life.
“Thank you to the Express for campaigning on this important issue. It’s just been incredible to see how much progress has been made since I kicked off this campaign.”
Before The Circuit was launched by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and its partners, tens of thousands of defibrillators in locations such as schools, sports clubs, and businesses were invisible to emergency services.
The new network launched in 2021 and became fully nationwide in October 2022. Some 66,000 had been registered by the time our campaign began and we set an ambitious target to reach at least 100,000.
BHF chief executive Dr Charmaine Griffiths thanked everyone who had helped build the database and urged people to continue registering devices and growing The Circuit.
She said: “It is just incredible that we have reached a major milestone of 100,000 defibrillators mapped on The Circuit.
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“When someone has a cardiac arrest, knowing where a defibrillator is can be the difference between life and death, so I have no doubt this will help save lives.
“We are so grateful to everyone who has played their part in this, from the guardians who have registered their defibrillator to the partners who have supported this pioneering database.
“But our work isn’t done. There are still thousands more defibrillators out there that remain invisible to the emergency services. If you have a defibrillator, please take a moment now to register it – this one simple action could help save someone’s life.”
Dr Lynn Thomas, medical director at St John Ambulance described the figure as a “historic milestone” that would save lives.
She added: “We’d encourage everyone to learn how to give CPR and use a defibrillator through online and face-to-face resources, so they feel confident to help someone in cardiac arrest.”
And James Cant, CEO of Resuscitation Council UK, said: “We’re thrilled to have over 100,000 defibrillators registered on The Circuit.”
To find out if your defibrillator is registered on The Circuit or to register it visit
‘This milestone could save many lives like mine’
Retired lorry driver Barry McDowell was saved by a defibrillator from a nearby school after his heart stopped in the pub.
The 69-year-old said: “It was an ordinary day. My wife and I had done the food shop and then I walked to my local pub to meet a friend for a beer.
“The last thing I remember was walking through the door and the next thing I knew; I was in hospital.”
Barry, of Maidstone, suffered a cardiac arrest caused by a despite being fit and healthy with no history of heart troubles.
Bystanders called 999 and were advised that the local Oakwood Park Grammar school had a defibrillator that was registered on The Circuit.
The pub’s landlady administered CPR and within minutes, staff from the school arrived with the defibrillator.
Barry said: “The paramedics said the shock to my heart brought me back to life. I’m very lucky to be alive and it is thanks to the people who gave me CPR and the school staff who had the foresight to have their defibrillator registered on The Circuit so it could be located when I needed it.
“It’s fantastic to hear there are 100,000 defibrillators now registered – this could save many lives like mine.
“If anyone is responsible for a defibrillator please take a few minutes to register it so more lives can be saved.”
I know first-hand how vital defibrillators are, says DAVID GINOLA
I am absolutely thrilled that The Circuit has reached 100,000 registered defibrillators.
I know more than most how important defibrillators are, and that quick CPR and defibrillation can save a life.
There was no sign anything was wrong on a sunny day in May 2016. I was looking forward to playing a charity football game in the south of France but during the game I just collapsed.
There was no warning. I’m only alive today because people around me rushed into action.
I was given CPR and five shocks from a defibrillator. This brought me back – I owe them my life. I was then rushed to hospital and received a quadruple heart bypass.
A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, and every second counts to give someone the best chance of survival.
Using a defibrillator could save someone’s life that’s why I support The Circuit.
The Circuit is a national system that shows ambulance services where the nearest defibrillator is when someone has a cardiac arrest.
Thank you to the Express for campaigning on this important issue. It’s just been incredible to see how much progress has been made since I kicked off this campaign.
But there is still more work to do, and I urge anyone who looks after a defibrillator to register it on The Circuit today – you could save a life.
– David Ginola, footballer and cardiac arrest survivor