Public Defibrillators Save Lives
March 20, 2006 by Lei
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Defibrillators may soon be saving lives all over Canada. Various health initiatives, including the Durham Cardiac Safe Community Program, want to place defibrillators in public places, such as sports arenas and shopping malls.
Not only do the defibrillators save lives upon immediate use, they also send a signal to emergency workers automatically when they’re removed from the wall. Seven people out of 11 (63%) have been saved thus far reflecting the general survival rate when public access defibrillators are used. In particular, people with arrhythmia can benefit from having defibrillators readily accessible.
Dave Rivers collapsed at a local community centre and was saved by the emergency defibrillator mounted on the wall:
There’s brain damage if they didn’t get you started again right away and I’m not sure (anyone) could have responded to me fast enough at home. Those defibrillators do work and they do save lives.
Perhaps we should all keep an eye open for public defibrillators next time we’re at our favorite haunt.
Toronto Sun, March 18, 2006
