World’s First Body-Worn Defibrillators
submitted by Tom Phillips, PR & Communications Manager, ExCeL London
London’s largest event venue introduces first-of-its-kind Individual First Aid Belts (IFAB™) giving security first responders access to life saving medical equipment in seconds
LONDON, UK – ExCeL London has further enhanced the safety of its four million annual visitors by becoming the first venue in the UK to introduce lifesaving first aid belts worn by many of its security personnel. The first-of-their-kind wearable belts – created by tac:life – are now worn by all First Responder Security Personnel at the London event venue, with the pack containing vital medical components, including an automated external defibrillator (AED) used to help those experiencing a cardiac arrest.
ExCeL has also installed public ‘AED Responder’ units in static locations around the 100,000sqm venue to further enhance their response times and capabilities to medical emergencies. As well as the AEDs, the kits contain a number of trauma care articles that both the public and staff can use if required.
“Time is everything when dealing with a medical emergency such as a cardiac arrest,” said ExCeL’s Head of Security Henry Havis. “By introducing both the trauma care belts and the additional public trauma units it means we can greatly improve our response times and significantly increase the likelihood of a successful outcome.”
Havis, who is also Chair of the AEV Security Working Group, added: “With the lessons learnt from the tragic Manchester Arena attack together with the ethos of the potential new security legislation, it is now even more important for event venues to take proportionate steps and be ready to respond should a life-threatening incident occur.”
Founded in 2022, tac:life is the brainchild of Nathan Mather who has developed two products – IFAB MED™ and the IFAB AED™ – both with the aim of providing key medical lifesaving equipment at all times.
For more information on ExCeL visit www.excel.london or for further details on tac:life head to https://tac-life.co.uk/
About ExCeL London:
ExCeL London, part of ADNEC Group, first opened in November 2000, in an area of huge regeneration in London’s historic Royal Docks. Almost 25 years later it has become one of the UK’s largest and most successful event venues, hosting some 400 shows per year and welcoming around four million visitors from every corner of the globe. Events hosted at ExCeL generate around £4.5 billion in economic impact for London and support approximately 37,500 jobs throughout the events industry. ExCeL has seen significant investment by ADNEC Group in its facilities and is currently embarking on a 25,000sqm expansion programme opening October 2024. More recently, it has played host to innovative live events such as the all-electric Formula E motorsport championship and Disney100: The Exhibition. It also prides itself on championing sustainability and is certified carbon neutral – the first UK venue of its kind to achieve the international recognised PAS 2060 status.
