Download the app... it really could save someone's life

As well as hands-on CPR, defibrillators are a great piece of life-saving kit that really can make all the difference.

And, as we report today, no-one has any excuse to not know where the nearest one is or how to use it any more.

South Central Ambulance Service has launched a new smartphone app.

It’s a fantastically simple idea, but also hugely effective.

The premise is simple. If you find yourself in a situation where you’re with someone who has a cardiac arrest, the app allows you to find out exactly where the nearest defibrillator is.

It also features a guide to how to correctly give CPR.

To drill the value of the kit home, at the launch was a man from Southsea, Paul Steinle, whose life was saved by a defibrillator.

He says: ‘I would hate for someone else to go through what I have gone through. People should definitely download the app.’

We can only echo his sentiments.

Most people use their phones and tablets for entertainment.

And, of course, there’s nothing wrong with that.

But by simply downloading this app, you could find yourself in the position where you’re empowered to save a life.

So we applaud the idea – it’s fantastic and will inevitably save lives, and we implore readers of The News today. Go online and download the app, have a look at the nearest defibrillator to your home or where you often go out – it could be at a school or community centre.

We hope you never have to use it, but knowledge is power.

Last year we launched the Heartbeat campaign, which aimed to urge the authorities –councils, health trusts and private companies – to install more publicly-accessible defibrillators. More and more are being put in – and this app complements the campaign perfectly. It will not be long before this app has saved a life.